Getting the Young People Involved

[David_L_Wilson]

No more model airplanes because the glue can't be sold to kids. Fishing is bad because of the mercury and pollution in the water. Kids can't play as cowboys anymore because toys guns might offend someone. You can't use the word indian anymore. Airshows cost too much with parking and entrance fees and the $5 drinks (because you can't bring your own anymore).

Obviously I'm just poking fun

Oh, you can buy glue, it just doesn't stick anything together. Airshows are too much flash. What young people need to see it what could be a possible goal. Flying with the Blue Angles would be great, but not really gonna happen. Maybe 1:4,584,347 odds.

By the way, in grade school we were the Wiley Post Elementry School Blue Angles. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma k-6.

 

[Way2Broke]

Most of us are doing fairly well financially now.

I agree with everything you said except for this.

 

[David_L_Wilson]

I agree with everything you said except for this.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Owning an airplane usually puts you into the upper middle class with some expendable income. We just need to start expending, if you know what I mean. Buy the book for a kid. Watch him/her smile.

 

[David_L_Wilson]

I just had the greatist honor an author can have. I delivered a free signed copy of my book "Dogs Don't Fly" to my 12 year old 3rd cousin. I hope it inspires him to learn to fly. I hope some day I can give my book to all deserving youths.

 

[David_L_Wilson]

A local Catholic school is having an auction and has asked me for a signed copy of my book for a bundle of children’s books to be auctioned. They also asked if I knew anyone who would offer 1 hour of flight time to be auctioned. I volunteered to give 1 hour in my Cessna 150. What a great opportunity to put my ideas in place.

 

[avbug]

David,

You're a private pilot, I believe. Be careful with the auctioned time. Whether you get compensated personally, the matter can run you afoul of the FAA and can result in certificate action. It's happened before, when even the best of intentions ended up being used against individuals.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Although I've never been a member, how about looking into the Boy Scouts. They seem like an organization that might embrace aviation involvement. Maybe even the Girl Scouts for that matter. Check out the local YMCA's, Youth Clubs and the like.

Right now isn't an ideal time to try recruiting young pilots (unless they're affluent) as most parents won't be paying for luxury like flight lessons, especially at these prices in our faltering economy. Perhaps encourage them to take a first step with some MSFS stuff. See if one of these organizations can invest in a nice PC-basedsimulator withthe pedals and stack to help spark interest in taking real lessons. also, get a bunch of those intro flight certificates to hand out.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

David,

You're a private pilot, I believe. Be careful with the auctioned time. Whether you get compensated personally, the matter can run you afoul of the FAA and can result in certificate action. It's happened before, when even the best of intentions ended up being used against individuals.

David, If you're a member of AOPA, you may want to seek advice from them in terms of the legalities of autioning your time. Like Avbug said, you can get violated if not structured properly. Remember, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

 

[David_L_Wilson]

You guys are right. I did read the info on AOPA and I don't meet the mimum required hours. I have 400 and they require 500. So, that idea is busted. Thanks for the advice.

 

[David_L_Wilson]

Some new stuff is posted on my www.youthinavation.com website. I used to post my flying stores under the pseudonym of Dracos.