By Sherry Niederkorn, EAA Chapter 5 Program Coordinator
Five students have been working very diligently as one cohesive group to build an LT-40 Kadet radio-control airplane and will each take the controls as they “send it to the skies” on Tuesday, April 28, at 5 p.m. at Corsair Field in Ravenna, Ohio, for its maiden flight. The students include Leo Carlson (Chesterland, grade 8), Silas Constantine (Chagrin Falls, grade 7), Ben Johnson (Newton Falls, grade 10), Anderson Schneider (Chagrin Falls, grade 7), and Janna Winningham (Novelty, grade 10).
The LT-40 Kadet
The story begins in July 2025. These five students were campers in the EAA Chapter 5 Summer Youth Aviation Camp held at the Geauga County Airport (7G8) in Middlefield, Ohio. Here they learned about the forces of flight, how to disassemble and assemble an engine, how to fly an airplane on a flight simulator, how to build and fly their own drone, and many other interesting facets of aviation. These five campers showed such a strong interest in aviation at the camp that they were then invited to continue on to the EAA Chapter 5 Build and Fly program.
The Build and Fly program is an intensive RC model building and flying initiative created to introduce youths to aircraft construction and the fundamentals of flight. This is a chapter modeling “program-in-a-box” designed for EAA chapters to partner with local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) clubs to engage youths and is intended to further their passion for aviation.
In August of the same year, the campers met at Corsair Field at Jetway Airpark in Ravenna. It was here that flight instructor Hugh Polack (AMA), worked with the campers to teach them how to fly a radio-control airplane that was built by the previous year’s campers. Students took turns at the controls (with Hugh on the buddy box) practicing flying the RC in the pattern and then learn how to perform takeoffs and landings.
BAF 2026 learns to fly radio-control airplanes at the home field of AMA, Corsair Field.
When the weather took a turn toward the typical Ohio winter weather, the team moved back to the shop of the Geauga County Airport to build an RC of their own.
“We actually do the program in reverse,” Chapter 5 Program Coordinator Sherry Niederkorn explained. “We teach the campers how to fly the remote-control airplane before we teach them how to build one. That way chances for longevity of the aircraft are increased. John Ashley (AMA) has played a major role in the start of this program.”
Back at the airport, build instructor Charlie Cross explained the blueprints, gave step-by-step instructions, and guided the students toward the finished project. Students were given individual tasks and then followed the directions in the manual. They worked with the cut-out balsa wood parts to assemble them and glue them together. The electronics and servos were installed inside the aircraft, students learned to cover the aircraft with plastic covering, and finishing touches were added to the project. This year, the instructors had assistance from Ned Brown (AMA), and EAA Chapter 5 members Anita Kazarian, Wayne Link, and Tim Niederkorn.
BAF in the shop at 7G8 in Middlefield. Shown here are (L to R): Janna Winningham, Anderson Schneider, instructors Wayne Link and Hugh Polack, Leo Carlson, and Ben Johnson. Not pictured: Silas Constantine.
Students on the 2025-2026 team have worked very well together. They worked in partners, changing partners along the way and rotating turns to work on all the various parts of the airplane as well. From the wings to the fuselage, wheels, elevator, and rudder… All the students did it all!
BAF team with finished RC project. Shown here are (front row L to R): Ben Johnson, Leo Carlson, Dad, Silas Constantine, and Janna Winningham. Not pictured: Anderson Schneider.
After what the instructors thought was the completion of the project, the student builders asked if they could meet one more time to add some artistic touches to the project. The students’ request was met with an enthusiastic “YES” from the instructors, making the 2026 Build and Fly radio-control airplane ready to take to the sky. “Hats off” to all five sets of parents who drove their young aviation enthusiast to and from Middlefield or Ravenna (almost) EVERY Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. so the students could participate in this worthwhile activity that is in its fourth year of existence with the chapter.
Anyone wishing to do so is invited to attend the maiden flight on April 28. If the weather is not conducive for flying the RC airplane that evening, a rain date of May 5 has been set.