I have a personal history of involvement in introducing youngsters to aviation and encouraging aviation careers. It is probably driven by my own career, one that I would not trade for anything. I have always loved my work.

I began working with young people some years ago while employed by a large flight training organization. We did college accredited pilot training in South Florida. I was also involved with training Civil Air Patrol cadets and later worked as a volunteer in Aviation Exploring, a Boy Scouts of America program. I am proud to say that there are a bunch of people in aviation today that I was able to mentor. I know that because so many stay in touch with me. That’s the best part.

As we struggle with a declining pilot population and concerns about pilot and AMT shortages in the years to come, I find plenty of reasons to be optimistic about youth interested in aviation careers. One of them comes from an event I attended this week in Kentucky – “WING DESIGN CHALLENGE” – sponsored by NASA/Kentucky, The University of Kentucky Dept. of Engineering and the Kentucky Institute for Aerospace Education (KIAE).

An estimated 250 high school students representing 25 aviation teams from more than 20 school districts in The Commonwealth participated. The KIAE supplies each team with a standard complete RC model fuselage and engine. The team designs and builds a wing; documents what they have done and why – then submits their paper for judging. At the event they are judged further on an oral interview and rigorous flight testing of their wing design. I sat through a number of interviews and observed the flight testing, done by AMA licensed pilots. I can personally attest that these youngsters are “into” this program. Among this many high school students you’d think there would be some “goof-offs”, but I saw none. These teams are serious, learning a lot and clearly having a lot of fun in the process.

Judges Doing The Oral Presentation

Group Photo (but many are in the background)

During the day I was able to talk with some of the participants about their career interests. One of the initial assignments when they begin KIAE aviation classes is to sign up for our AOPA “AV8RS”- Pilots of Tomorrow program. This special AOPA membership is FREE for teens between 13 and 18 and is loaded with benefits, all designed to feed and foster their interest in aviation.

Next week I am speaking to a group of high school students interested in aviation and I am actively initiating an outreach to members who share my interest in promoting aviation careers. As summer nears and schools are out for a few months there are even more opportunities to get kids out to the airport and in the air. I am gratified to know how many AOPA members are getting involved with teens and becoming mentors themselves.

As pilots, we are unusually cognizant of regulations. From the beginning of our adventure into becoming a pilot and now in our everyday flying we are exposed to a plethora of FAA regulations that we must comply with. The truth be known, every facet of our life is fraught with regulations. Business publications consistently bemoan a burgeoning number of regulations coming from our Federal government. But the Feds aren’t alone in their zeal to regulate. A part of my job as AOPA’s Southern Region Manager is to monitor not only State and Local legislative matters but also the regulatory environment closer to our member’s home.

Last year, a Middle Tennessee Part 141 Flight School received notification from the state’s Higher Education Commission that they were required to “register” with the agencies Postsecondary Schools Division. It happened that the agency was also the designated State Approving Agency for the Veterans Administration and this flight school sought VA Approval. After learning that the state agency would be requiring an extraordinary application process, burdensome administrative responsibility and very high fees, the flight school decided to challenge the state’s authority to further regulate what the FAA was already regulating. After all, only the FAA can issue a pilot’s license.  Sounded like a no-brainer!

But wait… before taking the matter to court, it was decided to request an opinion from Tennessee’s Attorney General regarding the state’s authority to regulate a Postsecondary flight training school. When the opinion came down, the AG said yes, Tennessee law was clear – the agency did, in fact, have the necessary authority. So, the flight school felt that it was forced to go about satisfying the application process and paying the fees – a whopping $10,000!

Given the Tennessee AG’s opinion, it was now clear that we would need to put together a new strategy – one that did not challenge the state’s authority to do what they were doing. We began to craft an entirely new approach.

Attempts to negotiate with the agency and to provide some insight into the incompatibility of their regs with those of the FAA, and to try and facilitate some sort of stakeholder input were met by deaf ears. Simply put – the bureaucracy appeared to be “dug in”!

After months of research and investigation, we put together a letter to the Governor outlining our argument that the state’s regulations were completely unnecessary and incompatable with FAA regulations; that the FAA regulations and authority are dominant, regardless of what the state required and that these (new) regulations are a disincentive for aviation training businesses to operate in Tennessee. The Governor’s office graciously responded to our concerns and set up a meeting with the Higher Education Commission where we again reiterated our concerns.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the General Counsel for the Higher Education Commission agreed that state oversight in this case was indeed unnecessary and the agency joined with us to write and file the necessary legislation to change the law in Tennessee. The agency’s Counsel even went the extra mile as we, together, followed the measure through the customary legislative committees and votes in both the House and Senate. The Bill is on the Governor’s desk. Aviation training in Tennessee, regulated by the FAA, will be exempt from state oversight.

AOPA provides us with marvelous tools to help monitor state legislative activity and with the help of vigilant members and our dedicate corps of Airport Support Network Volunteers; we have a good handle on local legislation (ordinances, etc.). But keeping an eye on the “regulatory” environment can be a real challenge. It is, oftentimes, much more surreptitious. In the case I have just outlined, there was apparently no formal rule-making process that included any stakeholder input at all so the agency didn’t feel obligated to do any sort of outreach. Then, of course, there is the problem of what I will call an “overzealous bureaucracy” – I think I will spare you my feelings about that!

The Commonwealth of Kentucky slogan is “Unbridled Spirit”. That reference doesn’t just speak to the state’s renowned equine industry, and it is probably interpreted by some as Unbridled “Spirits” because Kentucky is also the worlds supplier of Bourbon whiskey. But after learning about aviation education programs in The Commonwealth, I would argue that Unbridled Spirit best describes a bunch of deeply dedicated aviation educators and volunteers we met this week.

Kentucky boasts that there are more youngsters studying aviation and aerospace in this state than anywhere else in the country – and that it is all S.T. E. M. based. What I found most interesting is that the programs we learned about were complimentary, connected and don’t compete – they actually feed each other.

My AOPA headquarters colleagues, V.P., Michelle Peterson and her side-kick, Lauren Otto joined me in Lexington for a couple of days of familiarization about aviation education in Kentucky. We began at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky where every summer the AMK sponsors Aviation Camps of Kentucky. Students are enrolled at three levels – Level 1 (Ages 10-11), Level 2 (Ages 12-13) and Level 3 (Ages 14-16). The 2-day camps are packed with a rigorous program that introduces youngsters to aviation. Camps are held at the Museum on Bluegrass Airport in Lexington and at other locations throughout the state. Since 1996 there have been over 4,000 children enrolled in two intense days of math, the science of aeronautics, map reading, flight planning, a half-hour of flight training and more. http://www.aviationky.org/

Our next stop was at Capitol City Airport in Frankfort, the home of The Kentucky Institute for Aerospace Education (KIAE). Founder and CEO, Dr. Tim Smith, some of his Board Members and volunteers provided us with astonishing insight into its mission to improve student learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and create career pathways into aviation and aerospace throughout Kentucky. Students can transition into college and/or career readiness programs. The KIAE program now has agreements with Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, The University of Kentucky and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, allowing students to receive college credit for their studies. To date, KIAE has established accredited aviation learning programs in 18 public school districts across the state and is now receiving requests from other states to assist them is setting up similar programs. http://www.kiae.org/

Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond began establishing higher learning programs in aviation management and flight training in the 80’s. I was privileged to serve on an EKU Aviation Advisory Committee as then, Dr. Wilma Walker, was working to establish the aviation curriculum. When the University was granted approval for a minor in aviation in 1984, 18 students enrolled; today there are more than 150 enrolled in aviation flight and management courses. EKU’s professional flight option is the only FAA-approved university flight program in Kentucky. The University also manages the FBO at Madison County Airport. http://aviation.eku.edu/

Our two-day Kentucky learning adventure concluded with a marvelous and inspiring visit with Kentucky’s 2009 National Flight Instructor of the Year… the incomparable Arlynn McMahon of Aero Tech at LEX. Among a very long list of Arlynn’s accomplishments is a “Teen Aviation Camp” at Aero Tech. We wanted to learn more about it. Arlynn has established an all-summer (while school is out) aviation home (my words) for teens. Essentially a place they can come to at the airport where they can gather with a members-only peer group of other teens interested in exploring aviation. Initially, each summer’s Teen Aviation Camp orientation begins with about 35 teens and their parents. Perimeters and objectives are set… afterwards, the youngsters themselves are involved with somewhat informal activities. Aero Tech provides a welcoming, “safe place” where students can learn about aviation – and they can get dual flight instruction if they like – most do! http://www.aerotech.net/

As we all are seeking ways to interest others in General Aviation and to increase the pilot population, I believe the learning programs in Kentucky can be a model of how to proceed and how to succeed. The key ingredient is passionate and very dedicated people like we met everywhere we went. We never heard a negative word and their enthusiasm was contagious.

After 40 years of searching for a resolution to Bradley County’s badly constrained Hardwick Field, a brand new airport will hold its Grand Opening on January 25^th.

The new Cleveland Regional Jetport, located about 30 miles north of Chattanooga will open with a host of amenities that include a $1.9 Million 8,000 sq. ft. Terminal Building,  a 5,500 ft. concrete runway,  hangars for transient and based aircraft and more. Construction of the airport reportedly came in at a total of $42.68 million of which $19 million were Federal, $11.73 were State, and $6.01 were local dollars. Fund raising efforts are underway to raise private financial support for the airport as well.

L to R: Clay Cook, Ken Robinson, Mayor Bragg, David Swindler – Photo By: Gerald Viveiros

Don’t let the title fool you. This is a prestigious award conceived for an honorable purpose… to improve relationships and communications between airport users, operators and city officials. And each year’s trophy is nothing short of a masterpiece crafted by AOPA member “Capt.” David L. Swindler, the PIC of Navion “Ar Farce One”. Swindler is also the award’s founder. Presentation takes place at EAA #419’s Annual Christmas Banquet by Murfreesboro’s Mayor, The Honorable Tommy Bragg, MBT’s most avid public supporter. I have witnessed a number of these presentations. They rival aviation hall of fame induction from the Mayor’s formal introduction to an always emotional acceptance by the winner.

This years MBT Airport Bun of the Year award winner was Murfeeesboro native, Mr. William Kenneth Robinson, former Operations Manager of the Arnold Engineering Development Center’s Jet & Rocket Test Center. Since retiring in 1991, he has been restoring and flying an Aeronca Champ. Robinson joined the USAF in 1947 and cut his teeth in the new world of jet propulsion as an engine mechanic stationed at Keesler, Chanute and Andrews AFB’s. Employed later by Capitol Airways, he worked on lots of round engines that powered DC-3’s, C-47’s, C-54’s and DC-4’s.

Begun in 1995, this ABY award has now been presented to 20 lucky winners, each receiving Swindler’s magnificent collectable wire model of an airplane, space vehicle or engine the recipient might own or love. I will never be MBT’s Airport Bum of the Year, but I lust for one of Dave’s extraordinary models, crafted with a depth of caring, love and dedication to general aviation so many of us feel and long to express.

Tennessee’s Higher Education Commission – Post Secondary Schools Division is regulating VA Approved, Part 141 Flight Schools under its administrative rules, Chapter 1540-01-02. I submitted our AOPA comments/objections in March of this year saying, in part “This rule discriminates against FAR Part 141 Flight Schools who have invested extraordinary amounts of money into facilities, equipment and aircraft that now must meet the Rules and pay the fees of the THEC at even  more expense, thus their customers/students will have to pay more. The rule discourages establishing a Part 141 Flight School in Tennessee and the jobs that are created as well.” Tennessee’s Part 141 Flight Schools are required to comply with the THEC Rules as well as those of the Veterans Administration and the FAA. All of them differ so the financial and administrative burden is significant. It appears that we are going to have to seek a legislative solution during the upcoming session of the 108th General Assembly.

While attending the Georgia Airports Conference in late October, I spent an absolutely great afternoon at Harris County Airport (PIM) in Pine Mountain with AOPA’s ASNV, Greg Hadley and a half-dozen local pilots, all AOPA members. With a lot of help from Greg Hadley, AOPA and others were successful in saving this airport from closure only a few years ago. Some questioned the energy and effort required to accomplish that and I wish they could see this airport now. There are based airplanes where there were none; a pristine, beautifully maintained runway and ramps, new T-hangars (with a waiting list for more); a rejuvenated, charming little Terminal Building; self-fueling and reasonable fuel prices… topped by a bunch of Southern hospitality, welcoming hand-shakes and smiles that really make you feel at welcomed. While I was there one local pilot popped in the door fresh from his check-ride with a brand new Commercial Certificate in his hand and a local contractor was there for another flight lesson, looking forward to joining his partner and brother as a new pilot soon. This is such an inspiring story and place. I remember when it was not… I didn’t want to leave. Shared stories and experiences, a Cessna 150 doing touch-n-go landings with a new student in a Fall setting at this marvelous rural, resort area airport that makes flying and being a GA pilot fun, like it ought to be. There are many more of these “airport treasures”. Send me stories about the ones you find.