YOUNG AVIATORS
@ TRIPLE TREE AERO By Jeff Jorgenson, Cayla McLeod and Ryan Hunt It’s kind of fun to do the impossible ~ Walt Disney At ages 19 and 23, Cayla McLeod and Ryan Hunt did something neither of them had done before. The two put on what was the first of its kind - a youth fly-in at Triple Tree Aerodrome (SC00) in Woodruff, South Carolina. This was the first time either of them had ever hosted or organized any kind of event. It was also the first time Triple Tree had an aviation event open to the general public, and it was a huge success! As AviNation attended the event, we were continually amazed at several key factors, which we believe contributed to its success. First, it was all-inclusive. Yes, it was a “youth” fly-in, targeting Young Aviators ages 14 to 24. However, seasoned adults were just as welcomed, as were families and younger children. Secondly, a large
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part of the aviation industry rallied around the event. AviNation was there to watch EAA, AOPA, and the Academy of Model Aeronautics support the event. The 99’s were there, Air Force recruiters, and even airline recruiters from Endeavor and ExpressJet. From the teenagers of the Lakeland Aero Club, who flew up from Florida in two J-3 Cubs, to the Huey helicopter and Beech 18’s who made a commanding presence on the field, there were hundreds of planes to stop and gawk at throughout the weekend. The field itself also deserves some credit. It is an immaculate, golf-course quality, 7000 ft grass strip with plenty of aircraft parking, as well as plenty of room for tent camping and over 50 camper hookups. Perhaps the most remarkable is how this event came to be. Cayla McLeod got her start in aviation only four years ago thanks to a Young Eagles ride out at
