By Patty Fulop, EAA 1049894
EAA Chapter 5, based in Hangar Three at Geauga County Airport in Ohio, has a rich history of fostering youths in aviation. The dormant EAA Chapter 5 was reactivated in 1996 by a small group of pilots who desired to increase public awareness of Geauga County Airport and its value to the community and to foster cooperation and understanding with the users of the airport.
Geauga County Airport was established in 1968 when Ohio Gov. James Rhodes initiated an aggressive program to bolster the state’s economy by building an airport in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. The Village of Middlefield and its founding fathers raised funding to purchase the original property. The runway was built by the state and opened for operation on September 19, 1968. Industry soon followed around the airport and Geauga County Airport thrived for years predominantly under the management of Firebird Aviation, the airport’s operator and aviation entrepreneur, John (Jack) T. Venaleck, among others. In 1993, the Board of County Commissioners formed the Geauga County Airport Authority to govern the airport and remains today as co-sponsor with the Authority.
The original board of directors of EAA Chapter 5 were Joe Leonard (president), Brian King, (vice president), Clair Stotlar (treasurer), and Katrina King (secretary). The chapter began its first annual Airport Day in September 1996. The day featured a dawn hot air balloon ascension, pancake breakfast, helicopter rides, and parachute jumpers. This is where the Young Eagles program was introduced to the community; 500 people attended the first rally, which became the cornerstone of future events. Local pilots donated their time, aircraft, and fuel to fly 107 youths. “It was an amazing weather day,” said Katrina King. “A Citation business jet was a favorite display for the public, and the crowd was awed by a salute to veterans with an impressive flyby of an F-16.” Mrs. King continued saying, “Having the F-16 at the airport as a headliner was a big deal; it brought many people out to our event.”
The Young Eagles events at the airport became hugely successful with much of the credit going to the first EAA Chapter 5 Young Eagles coordinator, a retired Mentor High School industrial arts manufacturing teacher, Jim Jamieson. Mr. Jamieson was a nonpilot, well-organized individual who was extremely enthusiastic about both teaching and aviation. Mr. Jamieson recalled “What stands out most is the excitement; WE STRUCK A SPARK!” The group strived to give the youths a full “Young Eagles experience,” not just a ride in an airplane. Pilots would preflight the aircraft with their Young Eagles and create a bond with those seeking more aviation experiences. In addition to Jim’s Young Eagles duties, he distributed information to civic groups, schools, Boy Scouts of America, and other youth organizations. Word soon got out, and EAA Chapter 5 was invited to Carrol County Airport to assist with its Young Eagles Day; nearly 250 first-time flyers were flown in about four hours. Through these efforts, many private events were also held to preregistered groups where they easily flew 100 Young Eagles at a more leisurely pace.
At a 2025 community event, the then-president of the Geauga County Airport Authority was nearly brought to tears as he recalled the pure joy of watching the youths exit the aircraft with unending smiles and tales of wanting to be a pilot when they grow up. The children’s faces go from mild anticipation and nervous excitement when boarding the airplane to huge smiles and enthusiasm upon their return.
Many kids have experienced flight in a general aviation aircraft thanks to the Young Eagles rallies hosted by EAA Chapter 5.
EAA has records of 2,194 flights from Chapter 5’s own pilots. Hundreds more were logged at their events by pilots from other EAA chapters. Though the Young Eagles ride is “just plane fun” for most youths, it has also produced many aviation professionals. A few participants that continued their aviation quest were Bryan Chauson, an Air Force C-5A pilot; Andrew Whiting, a pilot and administrator with Flex Jets; Katie Blake, an aerospace engineer with her commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings; Adelynn Mrosko, a commercial pilot for United Airlines and Jet Blue; Lucas Fulop, who received a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Akron; Ayla King, a private pilot and FAA air traffic controller;, and many more!
This year, EAA Chapter 5 will provide the Young Eagles experience at its pancake breakfasts on June 6 at Lake County Executive Airport in Willoughby, Ohio; and on June 27 and September 19 at the Geauga County Airport in Middlefield. Youths ages 8-17 are accepted with parental permission. Registration is required and available through the EAA website online for the June 6 event here and for the June 27 event here.
For additional information, please contact EAA Chapter 5 on its website: eaa5.org, or on its Facebook page. You may also contact Young Eagles coordinator Ric Blamer at 440-632-1884 or 7g8manager@gmail.com.