By Josh Manring, EAA 1387901
For Cadet 2nd Lt. Carter Froehlich, Civil Air Patrol, aviation started with a trip to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
In 2015, Carter attended AirVenture with his father at just 5 years old. They camped for the entire week, surrounded by airplanes, air shows, and aviation enthusiasts from around the world.
“It was incredible,” Carter recalled. “Even though I was at times more interested in the frozen treat stands than the air show, it really jump-started my aviation interest.”
That interest continued to grow over the years and eventually found a home at Cottonwood Airport (1C8) in Rockford, Illinois.
Carter’s first experience with EAA Chapter 22 came in 2019 during one of the chapter’s Murphy Rebel build nights. Like many young visitors, he arrived curious and eager to learn. Chapter members welcomed him into the project, showed him the ropes, and even allowed him to help.
“My first experience at Cottonwood was a Murphy Rebel build night in 2019,” Carter said. “The members at the time welcomed me, showed me the ropes and let me drill a few holes. I was very excited about the process, and I kept coming to build nights.”
Those build nights became the foundation of a much larger aviation journey.
“EAA 22 is really where it all started for me,” Carter said. “I started with the build nights, and it grew into airplane rides, fly-ins, CAP involvement, and many, many friendships.”
When the Civil Air Patrol’s Rockford Composite Squadron (IL-251) moved to Cottonwood Airport, another opportunity opened. Carter joined CAP at age 12 and quickly became involved in both organizations. Today, he serves as a Cadet Second Lieutenant and Cadet Commander in the squadron while continuing to participate in EAA Chapter 22 activities and projects.
Along the way, he found no shortage of mentors willing to invest in a young person eager to learn.
“There’s been so many people who’ve helped me along and inspired me,” Carter said. “Lance Anderson [EAA 1001496] and Elroy Hilbert [EAA 166928] are two guys at Cottonwood who I would say have been the biggest mentors to me.”
He also credits Brian Stukenberg, EAA 408176, and Doug Miller, EAA 500208, who organized the chapter’s build nights, along with Mark Grocholl, EAA 1169743, who taught ground school and allowed scholarship trainees to fly his aircraft. Within Civil Air Patrol, Carter credits Mike and Sarah Thode and later Josh Manring, EAA 1387901, with helping him develop leadership skills and grow through the cadet program.
This year, Carter took a major step toward achieving his aviation goals when he was selected as a recipient of an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship.
“For me, the Ray Scholarship means the difference between being just another kid interested in aviation and being a pilot,” Carter said. “Without it, it would have been many more years before I could get where I am now in my flight training.”
The scholarship accelerated his flight training and recently helped him achieve one of aviation’s most memorable milestones: his first solo flight.
“I was a little nervous, I think as anyone should be, when my instructor got out,” Carter said. “But as soon as I got down to the end of the runway, my training kicked in and I just flew the plane.”
Like many pilots, he remembers the responsibility that came with that moment.
“There’s definitely the thought in the back of your head that if this plane is coming back to the ground in one piece, it’s going to have to be me that puts it there.”
While flight training has been a major focus, Carter’s aviation education extends well beyond the cockpit.
As his involvement at Cottonwood grew, so did the complexity of the projects he tackled. What started with drilling holes during Murphy Rebel build nights expanded into helping with EAA Chapter 22’s Cessna 150 restoration project and learning alongside experienced mechanics and builders.
“Those projects, especially the Rebel build, have let me see into the inner workings of aircraft and understand how much really goes into keeping them flying,” Carter said. “Every airplane, new and old, is a marvel of engineering.”
One of Carter’s most unique experiences has been helping restore a historic glider once owned by Neil Armstrong, now owned by Curt Lewis, EAA 849261. Working alongside experienced volunteers, he has learned restoration techniques while helping preserve a piece of aviation history connected to one of the world’s most influential aviators.
“It’s been incredible,” he said. “The work is similar to the other projects, but knowing who it belonged to carries so much weight. It’s such a privilege to be one of the people involved in restoring it.”
Carter also hopes the project helps introduce more people to an often-overlooked part of Armstrong’s aviation legacy.
“I’m also proud to be bringing awareness to Neil’s interest in gliding. Most people don’t even know he was involved in it.”
Working on aircraft has changed the way he thinks about aviation.
“I’ve seen firsthand all the inspections and safety measures that are taken to ensure airplanes are kept safe to fly,” Carter explained. “At the same time, it’s showed me that pilots need to keep a healthy respect for their machines. It’s when people get complacent that accidents happen.”
Looking ahead, Carter’s immediate goal is to earn his private pilot certificate. Beyond that, he hopes to become an A&P mechanic and is considering a future career in the Air Force.
For young people interested in aviation, his advice is straightforward.
“Find some events going on at your local EAA chapter or Civil Air Patrol squadron and pay them a visit,” he said. “In my experience these organizations are very welcoming to visitors and are happy to have people interested.”
As he reflects on his journey so far, Carter says the most rewarding part has been the people and the community.
“I would say it’s either the friends I’ve made, or looking back and seeing what has been accomplished,” he said. “I’ve gotten to witness planes coming together, fly-ins, the development of EAA 22’s Young Eagles program and the Ray Scholarship program, the growth of the CAP squadron, and so much more.”
For EAA members, Carter’s story is a reminder of what can happen when a chapter embraces youth involvement and takes the time to invest in the next generation. A young visitor who once drilled a few holes during a Murphy Rebel build night is now a Ray Aviation scholar, a CAP solo pilot, a future mechanic, and a contributor to the restoration of a glider once owned by Neil Armstrong.
Perhaps Carter said it best himself:
“I wouldn’t have stuck around the airport this long if it wasn’t for people like you being willing to donate their time and experience to helping me.”
For the volunteers of EAA Chapter 22 and the members of the Rockford Composite Squadron, that’s about as meaningful a compliment as any young aviator could give.