KINGMAN – On Saturday, May 18 the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 765 held their annual Young Eagles event at the Kingman airport. In total four pilots with a like number of aircraft gave 42 kids from ages 8 to 17 a free airplane ride during the nearly five hour long event. Despite it being a workday, this write was able to get to the event and meet up with some of the participants. First was Dave Amspoker, vice president and Young Eagle coordinator for Chapter 765. Amspoker was also one of the pilots and explained the whole event. The one single word that seemed to be both spoken and practiced was Safety. Amspoker briefed pilots and ground crew alike to assure as safe and professional environment as possible.
While things were getting started this writer was privileged to interview Logan and Oliver Szukala. For eight-year old Oliver, a third grader at Manzanita Elementary School, today would be his first Young Eagle event. Despite initially being a little shy he warmed up and said he was excited for his first flight. For his 15-year old Eagle Scout brother Logan, however, said that this was his fifth time with the Young Eagles. He was ready to get to slip the surly bonds again and be there to share his brother’s first flight.
While they were preparing for their ground school, this writer had a few moments to speak with their pilot Paul Gaines. Gaines is an experienced pilot as well as owner of Alpha-Zulu Composites, a repair facility located at the Kingman airport. Today he would be flying the Young Eagles in his Cirrus Sr22, an airplane he completely rebuilt years ago!
Ground school soon started and was taught by Walter Klimack with Matt Delk assisting. The school lasted about 10 minutes and was very basic overview of how an airplane works and the differences between cars and aircraft. With class finished up the Young Eagles were escorted out a side door and then to their respective planes. Here they met with their pilots; the first group were split between Gaine’s Cirrus and Captain Joe’s straight tail Cessna 172. Aircraft departed soon after for the roughly 15-minute flight around Kingman. While waiting this writer chatted with eight-year old Brandon Delossantos, a second grade student at Cerbat Elementary School. He was excited to be going on his first flight, which would be with Greg, a pilot who flew his Cherokee in just for today’s event. As the next group of students were finishing up ground school and walking outside, the sound of Continental engine signaled the return of the first flight.
After taxing in and shutting down the kids were allowed to deplane and meet back up with their parents or guardians. A previously shy Oliver was all smiles and thought it was amazing. He was eager to get to do it again as soon as he could. Overall it was a wonderful day for parents and children alike. In total the EAA had roughly two dozen people volunteer to make it happen. This year’s event was made possible by donations from Foothills Bank, Pawn World, Southerland Law Firm and Arnel Fencing as well as many other anonymous donors. If you missed this year’s event stay tuned next spring to The Standard newspaper, where announcements will be sure to be seen!
Tom Saluzzo
