Local Aviation Explorer Post 9 volunteer at World's Greatest Aviation Celebration
Fifteen local Chicagoland young men and women joined more than 150 other Aviation Explorers from all over the United States in volunteering at EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh this past summer.
They parked aircraft, directed ground traffic, assisted in flight line safety and spoke directly with hundreds of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. They also enjoyed extensive daily air shows as well as nightly concerts and movies all as a result of their participation in a local Aviation Explorer Post program. Every organization that has a touch point with aviation was on-site including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), aircraft manufacturers, university flight departments, and hundreds of others. More than 500,000 people attended AirVenture but few experienced the event as "close up" as these Explorers.
Next on the adventure list, these same Post members are eligible for an Explorer of the Year flight scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5.
Members will be flying from Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, Ill., to Janesville, Wis. in a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, a twin-engine corporate class airplane. Explorers will be given the opportunity to act as co-pilot during the flight, a unique opportunity for any teenager.
Also on this upcoming weekend, the Post members will be washing airplanes on Columbus Day, Oct. 8 at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, IL. The planes are owned by Windy City Flyers, the Post's Charter organization. This fundraiser is a way for members to earn credits towards future flights and have some fun too!
The Aviation Explorer Post is open to anyone between the ages of 14 and 21 who is interested in the field of aviation. Members get to experience the thrill of flying multiple times throughout the year and explore the rewards of a career in aviation. Aviation Explorer Post 9 is a Learning for Life program sponsored by Windy City Flyers, operating out of the Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) in Wheeling.
More information is available on www.avexp9.org or contact Michael Haupt 847-736-5812.
Come join the fun!