2022 Young Aviator’s Fly-In

By Austin R. Banttari

Triple Tree Aerodrome and the Young Aviator’s Council welcomes all aspiring, young, present aviators and supporters of the cause to enjoy the fun, fellowship, and hospitality the event has in store. The weekendlong retreat will take place Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina. We invite all to drive-in, or fly-in, pitch a tent and enjoy a weekend of excitement and opportunity. For more information regarding the Young Aviator’s Fly-In, including updates, registration, and facility information, please visit www.tta.aero.

For the more seasoned aviators in the crowd, there are few pleasures we’ve all come to love and appreciate that are uniquely aviation. Whether it be the one-hundred-dollar hamburger we all rave about, the local flying club’s fly-in pancake breakfast, or even taking a friend or neighbor up for the first time, there are two simple terms we can reduce our delights to: fun, fellowship, and hospitality.

Though, with our great passions, we’re assigned great responsibilities. We’ve indulged in a pastime and profession too great to pass on. As pilots, mechanics, and all who fall under the umbrella of aviation, we’ve been assigned the duty and privilege to share our passions with the next generation of aviators and make available the tools, resources, and opportunities for them to succeed at following in our footsteps.

Luckily, if you make your way to the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina, you’ll see that. For the third year, Triple Tree Aerodrome will be hosting the Young Aviator’s Fly-In to welcome the next generation of aviators to partake in the fun and fellowship we uphold in our small community.

Those who’ve had the opportunity to make the pilgrimage to Triple Tree have been able to appreciate the 400-acre plot of land that lives up to its reputation as a pilot’s paradise. From the nearly mile-and-a-half long grass runway to the world-class radio control flightlines, Triple Tree has something for every aviation enthusiast. Whether it be a hangar with iconic aircraft such as a Spartan Executive and a P-51 Mustang, or the patios where thousands have gathered to share stories of adventure, Triple Tree has much to offer the next generation of aviators.

There’s a tangible desire from the travelers of the world for us to pass the passion and love for flight onto the next generation. The prospect of the long-discussed pilot shortage has now become recognized by a multitude of commercial operators. Beyond pilots, there are myriad other positions that have become hard to fill with passionate professionals. Mechanics, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, and engineers are only a small portion of the struggling professions in the industry. Often not mentioned is with the rapid growth of technology developed by private space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. The demand for aerospace professionals is soon to grow exponentially.

The need to spark interest and offer opportunity for young individuals is greater now than ever. That’s the priority of the Young Aviator’s Fly-In. The three-day long event typically takes place across a weekend in mid-June; perfect for a summer road-trip or fly-in camping retreat. Students, industry professionals, and those still in the early stages of their career begin to make their way to Triple Tree’s grounds both by land and air – coming from across the Southeastern United States.

On Friday afternoon, attendees are typically busy pitching tents, unrolling sleeping bags, and gathering all the necessary camp provisions together. As the sun begins to dip below the tree line, everyone begins to make their way up the hill that lines Triple Tree’s 7000-foot grass strip. Atop this hill lies Triple Tree’s collection of buildings including the hangar, the learning center, the maintenance hangar, and the restoration shop. All begin to gather and find familiar faces and make new friends. Just as important in establishing and maintaining those friendships is availing oneself of professional connections. You never know, the friends you made while roasting smores may just be the flight crew on your commuting leg.

After a lengthy night gathered together and braving the wilderness of the pristine campground, the next big congregation tends to be at breakfast, preparing for a day of Young Eagle’s flights, educational seminars, networking opportunities, and guest speakers that aviators of all ages could enjoy. Throughout the day, spectators are treated to arrivals and departures from a plethora of aircraft. The runway, geographically centered on Triple Tree’s grounds, offers everyone a great view of departures and landing regardless of your vantage point.

This year, individuals who’ve shaped the industry, representatives from major companies, and some younger aviators have offered to share their insight to those who aspire to follow in their footsteps. Through educational forums and presentations, students and professionals alike can engage and learn from each other. By establishing a connection between those who presently have a hand in the industry, and those looking to get their foot in the door, the fly-in serves as a forum for the direction of the industry to evolve from both directions.

During the fly-in, Triple Tree provides the hospitality and resources to provide first flights through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Program. Through the generosity of volunteers and the organization of EAA’s resources, students ages 8 through 17 can take their first ride in an airplane, free of charge. While not all of us remember our very first flight, the impact that it left is felt every day. This first flight is often the cornerstone of many aviation careers – an experience that should be curated with care and support. With millions of students taking Young Eagle flights, the success of the program is unmatched, and its imprint is immeasurable. At the end of the flight, students receive a logbook and a code to access an online ground school course to begin their journey towards earning their Private Pilot Certificate.

Saturday night’s activities typically conclude back at the main hangar with a group dinner and a variety of speakers, activities and a evening meal. Lots of laughs and lots of cheers are sure to be heard in this great final gathering. As the day ends and all begin to retreat in preparation for their departures, a sense of camaraderie and fellowship is hard to ignore.

As exciting and informative as the events of the weekend have been, there’s a hidden purpose behind it all: a shared experience. No matter who you are, what you know, or how you learn, you’re bound to take something from the demonstrations and assemblies of the event. By learning together, we’re able to build off each other through the insight and inquisitions offered by those around us. The thoughts and passions shared by others often pique our interest and give us reasons to converse and come together. Through these conversations we begin to learn from each other and establish relationships on both a personal and professional level.

The aviation industry, while young relative to many technologies, still has many roots tied to its founding. One of those roots being the concepts of respect and professionalism. While professionalism is one of the keys to success in aviation, personal relationships and enjoyments should be held to an equal regard. Although broad in nature, anyone in the industry can tell you just how small this world is, and how important our various contacts can be.

Being a well-rounded individual requires any up-and-coming aviators to maintain both their professional and personal relationships with one another – a mindset Triple Tree endeavors to promote through the fly-in weekend. Furthermore, when an individual’s work is incentivized by their personal motivation, positive results are sure to follow.

In the same way the companies who attend the Young Aviator’s Fly-In have an opportunity to learn from their next generation of prospective employees and clients, attendees have the same important opportunity. Triple Tree’s organizers are similarly granted the same potential for development.

One of the many things that makes the Young Aviator’s Fly-In unique is that the event is planned, organized, and executed by Triple Tree Aerodrome’s Young Aviators Council – a board composed of aviation professionals under the age of 25. The Young Aviators Council is made up of nearly a dozen young professionals (“YoPros”) from across the Southeast United States who demonstrate a proven passion for and involvement in aviation. Current council members hold careers in myriad essential facets of the industry including organizing for aviation advocacy groups, maintaining aircraft used in firefighting, leading communications to better connect the public with the industry, and operating aircraft for private companies.

The council faces a bounty of challenges when organizing the event. For example, one of the greatest treasures of the Young Aviator’s Council is that the diverse group is spread across a wide geographic region to ensure that all facets of the industry are adequately represented. While this diversification of resources is important, it also creates a potential roadblock when communicating between members who are organizing the event. However, the Council has found unique ways to continue the lines of communication for a successful event. Another inescapable challenge that the council has faced this year involves the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. The 2022 Young Aviator’s Fly-In is the third occurrence of the annual event, with the inaugural event held in 2018. After a successful fly-in in 2019, the events slated for 2020 and 2021 were both understandably postponed.

With the encouragement of those within the local, regional, and national aviation communities, Triple Tree is proud to confirm that all plans for the 2022 Young Aviator’s Fly-In are full steam ahead!

For more information regarding Triple Tree Aerodrome’s year-round calendar of events – such as the flagship Triple Tree Fly-In or the world-renowned Joe Nall radio control week – connect with Triple Tree Aerodrome on Facebook, Instagram, or online at www.tta.aero.com.