On January 21, 2024, Tom Trumble, EAA 103048, flew his 1,000th Young Eagle at the Lincoln Airport in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tom’s grandson, Jase Trumble of Raymond, Nebraska, had his first Young Eagles flight in Tom’s 1978 Cessna 172 and became Young Eagle number 1000. Tom’s granddaughters, Harper and Charlie Trumble, received Young Eagles flights as Tom’s Young Eagle numbers 998 and 999. Tom’s son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Molly Trumble, were on hand to witness the event.
Tom’s passion for aviation began in 1964 with his first ride in a Piper Tri-Pacer at the Fairmont State Airfield. He officially had the aviation bug.
Building radio-controlled models followed into his college years when in 1970 he discovered that he could rent a Cherokee 140 for $12.50 per hour. Doing the math, with the rate at which he crashed RC models, led him to the decision to learn to fly. Over time he realized there were some flaws in this financial plan. Tom obtained a private pilot certificate in August 1971 with a “huge” 40 hours in the logbook. He currently holds a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and single-engine land ratings and has 3,400 hours in the logbook. He received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award from the FAA in 2022.
In 2020, Tom retired from his career as a consulting engineer designing airports.
Tom is a founding member of EAA Chapter 569 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a signatory to the EAA Chapter 569 articles of incorporation dated June 1, 1976.
He really didn’t think too much about the number of Young Eagles he flew over the years as the experiences and smiles from the kids were the incentive. Only in the last few years when it looked possible that he might fly 1,000 Young Eagles did he even think about the numbers.
One memorable flight was at an event flying a group of kids from a group home. One young man was apprehensive about flying. Tom offered to put him in the airplane and taxi back in if he decided not to go. Taking off, the boy was a bit apprehensive but soon became enthralled and took the controls for a few minutes. Tom came to tears when the teenager said to him, “My mother told me I would never be able do anything like this.” Further conversation was about the feasibility of learning to fly.
The Young Eagles program has been a wonderful experience. He personally thanks EAA, the volunteers, and the sponsors of the Young Eagles program that make it possible.
Tom continues to be involved with aviation as an NDOT aeronautics commissioner, assisting the Division of Aeronautics and state airport officials with the development of the Nebraska state aviation system.