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Issue No. 35
www.westsidenewsny.com
SOUTH EDITION
Distributed
to
Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Spencerport-Ogden
Fueling Dreams of Aviation of personal planes with kits was very popular at one time but went through a dark period, the kits just weren’t available. Now in the last ten years because Rochester’s Experimental Aircraft of changes in laws, it has allowed smaller Association (EAA) Chapter 44 is an orcompanies to pop up and make the kits ganization founded in 1957 that enables for the home aircraft builder. The Federal people to realize their dreams of flight. Aviation Administration (FAA) also now Their mission states, “EAA Chapter offers a Sport 44 was estabPilot License lished to enwith far less recourage, aid, strictions than and engage in the commercial study for the pilot’s license. improvement It is easier to get and better unyour license, and derstanding of it has allowed aviation and more people to the science of get into flying. It aeronautics, to is also way more promote and affordable.” engage in the The EAA cause of aviaChapter 44 is a tion safety and education, to Vet Thomas and Dhruva Rana flying Vet’s Piper group of about encourage and Cub Experimental Amateur-Built “EA-B” also known 100 members, half of which are promote the as “Homebuilts.” licensed pilots development who own their planes and some are buildof private aviation and the developing an aircraft at home. Other members ment of amateur-built aircraft through of the group are those with a general home engineering, and finally, to foster interest in aviation. close fellowship through the exchange EAA Chapter 44 is the only chapter of ideas, skills, and mutual interests. in Rochester and the members are from And to have fun doing it.” all across the Rochester area. The orThe current President of EAA Chapganization operates out of space at the ter 44 is Randy Spurr. Spurr has had Ledgedale Airport, 44 Eisenhauer Drive, his Private Pilot License since 1984, Brockport. The group is also currently and has been involved with the orgain the final stages of forming a Flying nization for three years. He said, “The Club. Spurr said, “If you are building an Rochester Chapter of EAA was founded aircraft, our group can help you put it on building airplanes. The building by Barbara Burke Photos by Karen Fien
Dhruva Rana of Pittsford, Elija Brewer and Elio Dominguez-Montalbano of Greece, and Tyler Mullen of Hilton are working on the structure of the wing of a Corben Baby Ace. The ribs and spars of the wing are being smoothed on the leading edge of the wing.
Baby Ace Restoration Team (BART) surrounding the fuselage: left to right: Tyler Mullen, Lauren Rosenthal, Dhruva Rana, Pete Bonneau, Jim Gooding, Bob Nelligan-Barrett, Vet Thomas, Clara Montalbano, Earl Luce, Elio Dominguez-Montalbano, Gail Isaac and Bruce Willis. together and get you flying. We also have airplanes available to anyone who wants to join and learn to fly.” Spurr says that one area of his focus as president of EAA has been to step up the youth aspect of the club. Currently the EAA has 12 high school youth members. They recently formed Explorer Post 44 which is designed to nurture interest in aviation in young people. The Explorers 44 offers an eight week program where students visit the airport, attend seminars with guest speakers and explore all aspects of aviation and of a career in aviation. There is also a Young Eagle Event held four times during the summer months. The event is designed to introduce young people to the joy and excitement of aviation. Free flights are given to students ages eight to 17 years. Chapter 44 has given free Young Eagle rides to over 2,000 happy children. Member pilots donate their time and aircraft at no cost to give free airplane rides to stimulate more interest in aviation. This activity includes orientation classes about aviation, chart reading, flight planning, preflight and control of aircraft. The last Young Eagle Event of 2019 will be held on September 14. For more information on free flights for youth, visit www.EAA44.org. Spurr said part of the focus on youth is based on the fact that over the next five years there will be a massive need for pilots. As air travel grows, the interest in aviation as a career is shrinking. “Pilots are required to retire at age 67. With many baby boomers reaching retirement age, it is a real problem for the airlines. The kids just aren’t interested in a career as a pilot. Much of the problem is that in the past, airlines didn’t pay well at the entry level jobs. It took a while to move up the line to the bigger airlines. That
all changed with the pilot shortage. The regional airlines are forced to pay a good wage from the start. That opens up aviation as a career for more people. We just need to get the word out,” Spurr says. The shortage in pilots has also resulted in airlines offering student scholarships for aviation careers. Another program that EAA Chapter 44 offers for youth and adults is the BART (Baby Ace Restoration Team). The program consists of students and adults working together to completely restore a donated plane and engine. The youth are getting experience with the skills needed to build an aircraft and the adults are sharing and teaching their skills to the youth. The BART Group meets every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ledgedale Airport. For more information on EAA Chapter 44 visit www.EAA44.org.
See more photos online. www.westsidenewsny.com
Pete Bonneau and Tyler Mullen working on the rib.