Sky is the limit
Published 8:00 pm Thursday, January 26, 2012
Daily Star photo/AARON MUELLER Nathan Ludwig, 15, Patrick Monaghan, 16, and Gus Ludwig, 17, are local Eagle Scouts involved in the new Aviation Explorer Post in Niles. Buchanan Pilot Kim Savage, second from left, a Buchanan pilot, is one of the instructors for the program.
For Eagle Scouts, “anything is possible,” according to Bob Baird, president of the Niles Experimental Aircraft Association.
And for six area Eagle Scouts involved in the newly formed Aviation Explorer Post 865, the sky is the limit — literally.
Not only will the boys get experience with flight simulators, but the goal is to get them flying and even constructing their own aircraft.
The post held its first meeting Wednesday night at the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport in Niles and had ground schooling on aerodynamics, examined an experimental aircraft and began plans to construct their own — a single-seat Mini-Max.
One of the scouts, Gus Ludwig, 17, said he has experience flying but is excited to construct his own aircraft.
“It’s definitely a cool hobby if not a future career,” he said.
The program is open to youth ages 14 to 20 with interest in aviation. Baird said there are still openings in the program, which is led by local pilots.
Baird said the aircraft construction project will pad the youths’ resumes.
“It’s the ultimate home-build project,” he said. “You can build anything if you can build an airplane.”
For more information on the program, contact Baird at (574) 339-9991.
