EAA works to provide access to aviation

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — David Leiting first flew for the Young Eagles almost 21 years ago.

Over the years, he pursued a career in flight and aviation. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in airport management.

Now, as manager of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagle Program, his career is coming full circle.

“I don’t come from an aviation family, so my only involvement with aviation was with the EAA,” he said. “I got to take Young on his Eagles flight for the first time at AirVenture ’02 when he was eight years old.

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

EAA will celebrate its 70th anniversary on January 26th. In the basement of Hales Corner he began as an organization with 30 employees and today he has more than 900 chapters around the world.

It also provided a career path for people like Raiting who grew up in Kenosha.

“Let’s fast-forward 20 years from our first flight and see how my perspective on what aviation can do has changed,” he said. “To share it today with these kids and these families is really, really special.”

EAA’s museums capture many milestones in aviation history. A replica of the first office that Paul and Audrey Poverezny installed in the basement is one of the exhibits.

For the last 70 years our goal has been to enable people to realize their flight-related dreams, hobbies and careers.

“The big thing the EAA is trying to do is make it accessible to anyone who wants to participate in aviation,” said Dick Knapinski, director of communications at the EAA. “It’s about personal aviation. It’s grassroots, little guys who go their way or get involved in aviation, whether it’s building aircraft, restoring, or being involved in museums and fly-ins.”

The organization’s most visible event is the annual convention and air show in Oshkosh known as AirVenture.

But the EAA’s work extends beyond that week in July.

“It’s about expanding and growing participation in all forms of aviation, but mostly about sharing the spirit of aviation, something like flying,” Knappinski said.

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

Ratings said it still offers some Young Eagle flights that look like they did more than 20 years ago.

“I get letters, emails and phone calls from parents and volunteer pilots saying ‘I had a kid whose life your program changed.’ I’m going to be a cargo pilot.” Or her mom called me and said, ‘My daughter wasn’t sure if aviation was for her, but she got on a Young Eagles flight. I got great instruction from the branch of the company and now fly to United Airlines.'” he said. “Those stories are very, very special.”