Story and Photography By Jim Roberts
When you spot a sparkling Spartan Executive parked south of the Theater in the Woods, be sure to visit with the young pilots who flew it here from South Carolina. The three — Ben Templeton, Niklas Clauditz, and Jack Bengard — are the vanguard of Triple Tree Aerodrome’s Passing the Torch initiative.
According to Robb Williams, executive director at Triple Tree, the program started in 2024 with an act of visionary leadership when Triple Tree founders Pat and Mary Lou Hartness entrusted their treasured Spartan Executive to a team of young aviators whose combined ages were less than that of the aircraft itself. It has since grown into a cornerstone of the Triple Tree ACE (Aviation Centered Education) portfolio. That symbolic gesture didn’t just send a historic airplane to AirVenture; it sent a message: The future of aviation depends on our willingness to invest in the next generation.
Each summer, a new generation steps into that legacy through progressive flight opportunities. The journey begins with Triple Tree’s beloved Piper J-3 Cub, where a qualified pilot — holding a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement — undertakes a solo cross-country flight along the East Coast. Most recently, Karlee Jordan flew the J-3 from Triple Tree Aerodrome (SC00) to visit AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. Quite the journey in a Cub!
According to Robb, as their skills grow, participants may advance to flying the Boeing Stearman. This anticipated future addition to the program will further enrich the historical and educational experience. Next, eligible pilots may serve as first officer aboard the Spartan Executive for its annual journey to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Eventually, the first officer may rise to the role of captain, who is responsible for leading the flight and preparing the next first officer to carry the torch forward.
Sunday afternoon I spoke with Ben, Nicklas, and Jack about their experiences. Ben, a 22-year-old corporate pilot from South Carolina, began volunteering at Triple Tree Aerodrome as a 14 year-old. He earned a Triple Tree ACE scholarship to help fund pilot training and today flies most of Triple Tree’s aircraft. He’s the captain on the Spartan and said that Passing the Torch “gives young kids a chance to fly great old airplanes and visit super events like Oshkosh.”
Niklas, a recent high school graduate who’s headed toward a mechanical engineering degree, got the flying bug through remote control aircraft at Triple Tree. The newly minted private pilot credits his ACE scholarship for making flight training possible. Of flying the Spartan, he remarked: “It’s very different from what I’ve been flying … the Cessna 172. It’s a privilege to fly it, so I’m very happy.”
Jack Bengard said, “Ever since I was a little kid I knew I wanted to do something with aviation. In the fall of 2024 I was lucky enough to be accepted for an ACE scholarship, and I’ve been flying since my 17th birthday in October. I’ve been very fortunate with Triple Tree’s generosity, and I will forever thank them for that.”
Ben offered this advice for aspiring young aviators: “Spend as much time as possible at the airport. Make friends and bum rides when you can. Just be an airport bum; it’s the best way to know everybody and fly all these different planes.”
The team plans to be at the aircraft daily between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Vintage parking area, so stop by and say hi! For more information, visit tta.aero.