By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866
On October 26, Hudson Williams, EAA 1618429, joined the ranks of EAA Chapter 677 youths that have flown Young Eagles, introducing six area young people to aviation, all of which were first-time flyers. When asked why he wanted to fly Young Eagles, Hudson said “I see it as the best way for a kid interested in aviation to get a start and as a way for me to share my passion for flying like so many pilots did for me.”
Hudson was introduced to aviation at an early age. “As a little kid I would go to AUO [Auburn University Regional Airport in Alabama] to watch planes with my parents,” he said. His official introduction to flying was on a Young Eagles flight, the most memorable in an RV-7A flown by Paul English, EAA 219075, and current president of EAA Chapter 351. He went on to complete the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course and pass his private pilot written exam.
He and his father Glen Williams, EAA 1295877, are regular members of Chattahoochee Valley EAA Chapter 677 in Columbus, Georgia, and are currently building an RV-14 in the family garage.
Hudson attended Mission Aviation Fellowship’s Aviation Adventure Camp where he was introduced to mountain flying in Cascade, Idaho, but he said, “My favorite aviation experience to date was attending the EAA Advanced Air Academy.” Chapter 677 has a long history of Air Academy scholarships and awarded Hudson with a full scholarship, tuition, and airfare in 2023.
Hudson is currently a freshman at Auburn University in the Aviation Management program and is working on his instrument rating. He recently became a member of the War Eagle Flying Team. He plans to keep EAA a part of his life and hopes to build a Pitts S-1S one day.
