This piece originally ran in the April 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.
Laurie Probst, EAA Lifetime 709262, has quite an extensive résumé when it comes to sharing aviation with today’s youths. She was introduced to aviation two decades ago when a friend offered her a flight in a small airplane, and from that moment on she was hooked. Ever since then, she’s participated in countless programs to share the possibilities of aviation with kids. Laurie now holds private and commercial pilot certificates and an instrument rating, and is even an advanced ground instructor.
After being a middle school STEM teacher for 29 years, teaching is nothing new to Laurie. She brings her passion to the classroom through her aviation summer school program that she proposed to her school district. In addition to her classroom, Laurie volunteers for various EAA educational programs such as Girls on the Fly, a day for young girls to explore aviation, filled with activities like building remote-control aircraft, charting and navigation stations, Redbird simulator sessions, and special guest speakers.
Laurie is also the volunteer chairperson for the Ford Tri-Motor at AirVenture. As a two-time cancer survivor, she holds a special place in her heart for the Make-A-Wish Tri-Motor flights. “They’re my favorite,” she said. “They’re bittersweet because you know why they’re there, but the kids are so excited to go on the big airplane.”
In the spirit of making aviation more accessible, and being so experienced with kids, Laurie often flies Young Eagles with learning or developmental disabilities. “I know what questions to ask the parents … so that’s something that’s been very rewarding, too, is giving special needs kids some pretty awesome airplane rides and making them feel comfortable,” she said. She also volunteers for an outreach program for at-risk high school students, spending the day with them and their families, showing them what aviation can offer. “I like being involved in those types of experiences because all my flying, if I can, is giving back.”
In May 2023, Laurie reached a big milestone: 300 Young Eagles flown. “I can’t tell you how many of us older pilots wish that Young Eagles existed when we were younger,” she said. “You don’t know what’s out there or if you like something unless you have the opportunity to try it.”
One of Laurie’s Young Eagles even returned the favor after earning his pilot certificate. When she was going through cancer treatment and unable to fly herself, he offered to take her flying. “He took me up once around the patch on a beautiful summer day, green grass and everything,” she shared. “I remember being in the plane thinking, ‘Okay, I may or may not get my medical back in order again, but the fact that one of my former Young Eagles is taking me up,’ … That was incredibly touching.”
“I always tell the kids, if an opportunity is given to you to try something, that might be an avenue to something in the future,” Laurie said. “When the kids have the ‘aha’ moment, as a teacher, that’s my favorite.”
Volunteers make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — and just about everything else EAA does — possible. This space in EAA Sport Aviation is dedicated to thanking and shining the spotlight on volunteers from the community. Sadly, it cannot capture all of the thousands of volunteers who give so much to the community every year. So, next time you see a volunteer at AirVenture or elsewhere, however they are pitching in to make EAA better, be sure to thank them for it. It’s the least we can do. Do you know a volunteer you’d like to nominate for Volunteer Spotlight? Visit EAA.org/Submissions.