Chapter Members Promote Aviation as Flying Members of the Experimental Aircraft Assoc
Two members of the Central Oklahoma Air Force Academy Association of Graduates are also active members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The two former Air Force officers, David Wilson (Chapter Vice President) and Jim Putnam, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1974 and 1972 respectively and served their country admirably in flying and flying-support roles for more than 20 years. They both took up civilian aircraft flying after retirement and jointly own a Van's RV-10, a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft. Lt Col Wilson was a rated Air Force pilot and instructor, as well as a former Certified Flight Instructor and Junior ROTC Instructor. Col Putnam is the President of Chapter 24 of the EAA at Sundance Airport in Oklahoma City and active in the Young Eagle program to introduce young people to aviation. https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa24
The EAA was founded in 1953 by veteran aviator Paul Poberezny along with other aviation enthusiasts. The organization began as more or less a flying club. Poberezny explains the nature of the organization's name, "Because the planes we flew were modified or built from scratch, they were required to display an EXPERIMENTAL placard where it could be seen on the door or cockpit, so it was quite natural that we call ourselves the "Experimental Aircraft Association".[5] The EAA was incorporated in Wisconsin on 22 March 1955.[6] Homebuilding is still a large part of EAA, but the organization has grown over the years to include almost every aspect of aviation and aeronautics. Young Eagles is a program created by the EAA designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating them about aviation. Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor are EAA programs to ensure that amateur-built aircraft are well-constructed, safe aircraft and that the pilots are proficient in the operation of their aircraft.
The EAA was founded in 1953 by veteran aviator Paul Poberezny along with other aviation enthusiasts. The organization began as more or less a flying club. Poberezny explains the nature of the organization's name, "Because the planes we flew were modified or built from scratch, they were required to display an EXPERIMENTAL placard where it could be seen on the door or cockpit, so it was quite natural that we call ourselves the "Experimental Aircraft Association".[5] The EAA was incorporated in Wisconsin on 22 March 1955.[6] Homebuilding is still a large part of EAA, but the organization has grown over the years to include almost every aspect of aviation and aeronautics. Young Eagles is a program created by the EAA designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating them about aviation. Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor are EAA programs to ensure that amateur-built aircraft are well-constructed, safe aircraft and that the pilots are proficient in the operation of their aircraft.
EAA Oklahoma City Chapter 24 President Jim Putnam highlights the key features of the local program: "I have been the Chapter President since 2007. We have taken the chapter to win the Gold award for being in the top 7 percent of all the approximately 1,000 chapters worldwide. The EAA has over 200,000 members. In 1993, the EAA established the Young Eagle program (kids from 8 to 17 years old) to promote youth in aviation by giving them a free flight in a private aircraft and a free student membership in the EAA. After the flight they are given a log book with a unique code which allows them to take the private pilot ground school for free (the course usually costs $200). Upon completion of the ground school exam, the EAA then gives the youth a free hour of dual flight instruction ($200 or more value) and the opportunity to get a scholarship for a private pilot’s license. "
David Wilson is active in our EAA Chapter and will be flying up to Oshkosh this summer for the 8 day long AirVenture aviation expo, celebration and air shows. He is also a qualified Young Eagle pilot. He is helping with Ground School for a select group of young people who work with former Congressman (Lt Col retired) Steve Russell at his church in South Oklahoma City. Steve Russell is also in our chapter, taking flying lessons, building one airplane and restoring another
David Wilson is active in our EAA Chapter and will be flying up to Oshkosh this summer for the 8 day long AirVenture aviation expo, celebration and air shows. He is also a qualified Young Eagle pilot. He is helping with Ground School for a select group of young people who work with former Congressman (Lt Col retired) Steve Russell at his church in South Oklahoma City. Steve Russell is also in our chapter, taking flying lessons, building one airplane and restoring another
The goal of the EAA Young Eagle program was to fly 1 million kids by the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight in 2003. We made that goal. Today we have flown over 2.5 million kids. We find that if they are exposed to Aviation in this manner that they will be five times more likely to pursue a career in some aspect of Aviation."
"We currently have two full scholarship winners. One just got his pilot’s license on his 17th birthday and flew Young Eagles for us last Saturday. The other is in training. Additionally, we do the selection process for the Sundance Flight Academy program at Sundance Airport where up to 10 people per year (all ages) can get a $5,000 scholarship to get them up through their solo flight."
"We currently have two full scholarship winners. One just got his pilot’s license on his 17th birthday and flew Young Eagles for us last Saturday. The other is in training. Additionally, we do the selection process for the Sundance Flight Academy program at Sundance Airport where up to 10 people per year (all ages) can get a $5,000 scholarship to get them up through their solo flight."
Jim Putnam met Academy Prep School selectee Ryan Bussert at an Oklahoma Academy Parents Club Send-Off ceremony for Oklahoma youth selected for the United States Air Force Academy and Academy Prep School on June 5. Putnam was the guest speaker for the event. Ryan recalls that they talked about flying and Ryan's desire to be a pilot in the Air Force. "Mr Putnam offered to take me on a flight and show me the basics of flying", recalled Ryan. The flight was June 10.
"I (Putnam) did fly Ryan Bussart for about a half hour and let him handle the controls. Afterwards we talked for about 45 minutes on how to succeed at the prep school and how to get into the Academy, and then later on how to become a pilot and the importance of being a good officer. He had lots of good questions. I was most impressed with this young man."
"I (Putnam) did fly Ryan Bussart for about a half hour and let him handle the controls. Afterwards we talked for about 45 minutes on how to succeed at the prep school and how to get into the Academy, and then later on how to become a pilot and the importance of being a good officer. He had lots of good questions. I was most impressed with this young man."