Story and photography by Devin Wilson
In 2019, Naples Youth Aviation Project was launched by EAA Chapter 1067. Nineteen of us, including myself, joined as youth builders to construct a Sling 2 experimental aircraft. The entire project was funded solely through donations from members of EAA Chapter 1067 and the generous support of the Naples, Florida, community, both within and beyond the airport.
I remember the day my parents asked if I wanted to join the NYAP project. From what they told me, I assumed we’d be building an RC airplane. Without asking too many questions, I showed up to the first day of orientation, only to realize I was completely wrong. We were about to build a full-sized experimental Sling 2 shipped in large wooden crates all the way from South Africa.
All 19 of us were full of excitement as the project began. As we dove into the work, my respect for aircraft builders grew with every step. We meticulously corrosion-proofed every piece, de-burred all edges, and repeatedly fitted and adjusted parts until they were just right. Only then did we rivet them together, gradually creating larger assemblies that would eventually form a beautifully crafted Sling 2 aircraft.
During the project, several of us builders, including myself, were inspired to start flight training. EAA Chapter 1067 not only supported the NYAP build but also offered opportunities through the Young Eagles program and the Ray Aviation Scholarship for those pursuing their private pilot certificate.
One of my earliest discovery flights was in a Lake Renegade through the Young Eagles program. After the experience, it ignited my passion for flying. Determined to pursue it further, I applied for the local Ray Aviation Scholarship. After an interview process, I was selected as the next recipient, receiving $10,000 toward my private pilot training. Over the next months, the funding jump-started my journey, leading me to earn my private pilot certificate, followed by my instrument, commercial, and multi-engine certifications.
The NYAP project also opened the door to unique experiences through generously donated events. One of our first major trips was to the JetBlue training center, where we got an inside look at the company’s training and maintenance operations. We spent the entire day exploring the facility, from state-of-the-art simulators to maintenance bays, gaining valuable insights into the world of commercial aviation. This incredible opportunity was made possible thanks to chapter member Linda Sollars, a JetBlue captain, whose support and enthusiasm helped make the visit unforgettable. One of the most unforgettable days was seeing our Sling 2 take flight. Watching the Sling taxi toward the runway, take off, and land felt incredibly fulfilling, like a true accomplishment. Seeing the Sling 2 fly to Oshkosh was an even prouder accomplishment. In 2021, NYAP arranged for all of us to attend AirVenture. Our Sling 2 was still under construction. Fast forward to 2023, NYAP President Bob Zaleski and Garrett Sutton, one of my fellow youth builders, flew the completed Sling 2 to Oshkosh, where it was displayed at the Sling Teen-Built area. It was a beautiful moment of completion, a full-circle achievement that highlighted the hard work, dedication, and passion we all poured into the project.
By the end of my training, the Sling 2 had undergone all necessary testing and inspections, certifying it as an airworthy, ready-to-fly aircraft. Throughout the build, I often wondered what would happen to the airplane once it was finished. There were many ideas, but the primary plan was to sell it and use the proceeds to fund another Sling build with a new group of youth builders.
However, things took an unexpected turn. The NYAP board decided to hold a private auction exclusively for EAA Chapter 1067 members and the youth builders’ parents. My parents and I submitted a bid, and after days of anticipation we received the incredible news. We had won the auction! After hundreds of hours spent building the Sling 2, I never imagined that the airplane my team and I had crafted with such dedication would one day become a part of my own family.
Today, the very same Sling 2 that we built is based at KAPF, Naples, Florida, and I’m building flight hours fast while burning just over four gallons an hour, flying a fuel-efficient, fun, and capable cross-country machine that lands smoothly at airports nationwide. I now fly for the Young Eagles program with the Sling 2, hoping to ignite the same passion for aviation in those kids that was sparked in me. Additionally, I’m in the process of obtaining my repairman certification, which will allow me to perform maintenance on the Sling 2, further deepening my connection to the aircraft my team and I built.
With all of that said and done, I cannot hesitate to give all the glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. He was there for us in times of confusion, setbacks, frustration, and when we faced moments of doubt. I also want to thank EAA Chapter 1067, along with all the volunteer mentors from Chapter 1067 and those who generously donated, for giving me and 18 other youth builders a life-changing opportunity; one that will forever remain in our hearts. There truly are no words to express how blessed we are in such a broken world.