LAKEPORT—The Lake County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Clear Lake Flying Club (CFC) teamed up to provide free flights for children ages 8 – 17 at Lampson Field on Saturday. Before flying, John Swanstrom, a member of EAA Chapter 124, provided students with a ground school covering the principles of flight. Guest speakers talked about what young people should expect during flight and career opportunities in aviation. A model aircraft display was also available for all to enjoy.
The pilots who volunteered to fly the young people at the event were from EAA Chapter 124 out of Charles M Schultz Sonoma County Airport. Josh Hochberg, Young Eagles Coordinator for EAA Chapter 124, coordinated the pilots and the rides. Hochberg lives in Santa Rosa and owns and operates two aviation companies.
Hochberg said that a math teacher asked him to be an advisor for her flight club. After the first year advising, he began teaching the students ground instruction. Several of the students took the private pilot written exam which is one of the requirements needed to become a pilot. Hochberg then made a loan to the employees of his company, Sonoma Jet Center, to purchase an airplane. His employees formed a flying club and students were then able to take flying lessons at a substantial discount. In return, students are helping out in the club. Hochber said that he had been flying since the age of 14 and it influenced his choices in life. “I want to give back to the kids and inspire them the way I was inspired”.
Herb Lingl, education director of the CFC, said that this club is brand new and he has been getting help from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Representatives from this organization provided him with instruction and advice regarding how to form a flying club.
“It is great to see the enthusiasm the young people have as they prepare to fly, most for the very first time,” said Lingl, adding that “I’m not a flight instructor, I just inspire.” Lingl also spoke about an aviation curriculum that has been developed and vetted. He mentioned that high school administrators will need to apply to teach the program. The deadline for high schools submitting a proposal to teach the AOPA curriculum during the 2020-21 school year is Feb. 28, 2020.
Lingl said he hoped that this event “helps to increase community awareness of the opportunities in aviation for young people in Lake County and to help motivate high school administrators to apply to teach this program”. He said that he also hoped that interested teachers and districts contact him at 415-771-2555 or visit the website at clearlakeflyingclub.com for more information. “We are fortunate to have the Santa Rosa EAA Chapter supporting us in producing this event since they have extensive experience facilitating Young Eagles events “
Lee Beery has lived in Lake County for 35 years and was attired in his original mechanics uniform from United Airlines. He retired from United after 35 years and owns a rare 71-year-old Piper Vagabond airplane. Beery was a guest speaker during the ground school portion of the event and spoke about a multitude of careers in aviation. According to Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing CEO, in an article provided by Lingl, “a global pilot shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the airline industry”. Yash Shah, Avionics lead Technician for LASAR, located at Lampson Field, was also a guest speaker for the event. Shah spoke of careers in aviation that included aircraft electrical systems and programming, “interfacing the old and new”.
Before the flight, Taylor Boyles, a 10 year old attending Kelseyville Elementary School said “I’ve never been on a plane before, but I’m not scared at all”. His father, Tommy Boyles said that he wanted to give his son a new experience. Dahlia Haley, a nine year old from Kelseyville said, “I really like planes. It is so cool to be high in the sky and look down”. This was her first time to be on an airplane and admitted to being a little nervous. John Minkwitz, Haley’s grandfather, said that he was a sail maker and “if I had taken the time to get into planes instead of boats, I’d have been a pilot”. Minkwitz used to make hang gliders.
After the flight, Elizabeth Haston, an 11-year-old attending Lake County International Charter School (LCICS), said that the plane ride was amazing. Sixteen-year-old Mikayla Haston, who attends Konocti Education Center said that she wants to go into the Air Force. Nathaniel Haston, 8 years old, said “I wanted to stay up there all day”. Marlon Young, a Sonoma County pilot and EAA Chapter President said, “This is the most gratifying flying I’m able to do all year”. He said that this was his first time flying at this event, but he does this for the Young Eagles Club in Sonoma three times a year and once a year in Cloverdale. Young has owned his 1954 Cessna 195 for 32 years.
After the flight, 10-year-old Evan Jackson from Lucerne said “I enjoyed the flight” and Alex Schenck, a junior from Konocti Education Center, said he wanted to get into aviation and “loved it for all the time I’ve known about it”. Carmen Garcia, a ninth grade student from Kelseyville High School said “It was amazing”. The pilot, Martyn Lewis, from Santa Rosa, flew in his Cirrus SR22TN.
