Future Aviation Workers

FUTURE AVIATION WORKERS

By Christopher Ward

When we do not prepare for the future we are setting ourselves up for failure. We must constantly look for opportunities to help the next generation soar to even greater heights.

When TJ, the former Young Eagles coordinator for Chapter 429, was preparing to retire, he started to mentor me. He wanted someone fully qualified to encourage youth to explore aviation. He demonstrated how he organized a Young Eagle event. During the next event, he observed as I took charge at an event and gave me pointers on how to make the event fun for the children. When I was contacted by the Cub Scouts to help support them for their aviation camp week a few years ago, I was prepared. I contacted Jefferson City and Mexico airports to get the doors open, so they could be exposed to all aspects of aviation at both airports. Zenith Aircraft Company opened their doors to give the youth an opportunity to see how sports aircraft kits are built. I was building a 750 Cruzer at the factory, so EAA Chapter 429 members helped build my wings. The wing skin was in a position, so the Cub Scouts could pull rivets on my wings. Over three days, 150 Cub Scouts toured the factory and pulled rivets on my wings.

In my position as President of Victory Comics, I am constantly looking for celebrity life stories, which help encourage youth. We cannot afford to leave any child behind. We must teach them to learn from history and not repeat our past failures. Floyd Patterson as a child hated himself having come out of poverty. Floyd believed that he was responsible for everything bad

that happened to his family. Once he learned that it was okay to enjoy his childhood, he started to love himself. He was able to become the Heavyweight Champion of the world and a Private Pilot. Larry Holmes was raised in a home without a father. His family went from one of the poorest to the wealthiest in Easton, PA. In my position as Youth Specialist for the State of Missouri, I introduce the youth to aviation. We need to create opportunities which will help lead them into aviation careers. My next book, “On a Wing and a Prayer”, will help inspire them. Creating inspirational reading material is only one part of the solution, especially in a society where young people would rather play video games than read. We are losing the battle to games which glorify violence and the use of drugs. EAA Chapter 429 and 32 in Missouri want to offer flight scholarships of $500, which will be matched by the local flight schools. The problem is: where will the money come from to support the programs? Victory Comics will sell all of the original artwork used to create its books with 50% going to scholarships. We will use 10% of all online sales to help students reach their aviation goals. We need aviation companies and schools to help students reach their aviation goals and support our efforts.

Please visit www.victorycomicsinc.com, or send a check to an EAA Chapter to use for aviation education. When I am asked, why do you work as a Youth Specialist? I ask them, would you prefer our youth working in aviation or breaking into your homes?