Children often make paper airplanes to see if they can fly or make believe they are flying planes, but several area youth did more than that — they soared high above the clouds.
Boy scouts, girl scouts and other children ages 7 to 18 joined together May 3 in Shawnee’s Youth Aviation Day held at Gordon Cooper Technology Center Aviation Campus.
Their minds were opened and imaginations roamed free as the attendees learned about aerodynamics, helicopter pilots, professional pilots, airport operations, airport firefighters and pre-flight. Not to mention the chance to fly high above Shawnee for the first time.
The aviation day was part of the national Youth Aviation Adventure, which is designed to bring aviation experts and today’s youth together to talk about flying.
The adventure program was founded in Ohio in 1997 by two pilots who offered to help boy scouts achieve their boy scout aviation merit badge. By completing an aviation program like what Shawnee provided, boy scouts can receive their aviation merit badges. Forty-three boy scouts receive badges May 3.
“Any time we can elicit the youth of the community and regional area for general aviation, it’s definitely a win-win situation for us,” said Bill Beck, coordinator of aviation day and member of airport advisory board.
Beck said Shawnee’s first aviation day brought out 99 local children from the tri-county area. He said there were more than 30 adults who volunteered as leaders. Of the 99, 63 participants were given free airplane rides provided by the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles.
Beck said the aviation program and event provides a way to peak interest in the minds of the area youth and get them interested in thinking about aviation as a future.
“The youth need to be recruited for aviation’s future,” he said. “Without them, it will not survive.”
He said general aviation is the No. 1 industry in Oklahoma. “How can we go wrong in promoting the top industry,” he said, adding such events bring attention to aviation, the Shawnee Regional Airport and Shawnee.
Contributors to the event were photographer Kevan Shepard, Doyle’s Daylight Donuts; Youth Aviation Adventure program; Gordon Cooper Technology Center Aviation Campus, Dave’s Donuts; Demco Printing; Shawnee Fire Department; O’Connor Flying Services; Shawnee Airport Advisory Board; Wal-Mart; local media outlets; KSBI-TV; Last Frontier Boy Scouts Council; Red Lands Council Girl Scouts; and area schools public, private and home school.
Beck said this was the first year for the aviation event, but the airport plans to continue in the future. The airport will need contributions to cover the costs. Residents can donate to the event by writing a check to the City of Shawnee Youth Aviation Adventure Fund 706. Currently, the fund has $300.
“If we can win the hearts of the youth, most likely we will get the attention of the parents and grandparents,” Beck said.
Amanda Gire may be reached at amanda.gire@news-star.com or at 214-3934.
