Michigan pilot tops 2,400 Young Eagles flights

Douglas Conciatu, a pilot from Macomb, Michigan, has been flying Young Eagles for more than 30 years, mostly from his home airport in Ray, Michigan.

He ranks ninth among Young Eagles pilots, having flown more than 2,400 Young Eagles.

That’s why he was chosen as the winner of the 2021 Phillips 66 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding Young Eagles volunteers who have supported the future of aviation by going above and beyond the basic Young Eagles flight.

“Being part of the Young Eagles has been an incredible experience. I find so much joy in helping kids of all ages learn to navigate the sky, gain confidence in themselves, and truly embrace the spirit of aviation,” said Conciatu. “I am honored to be recognized by Phillips 66 and the Young Eagles community, and I look forward to participating in everything the organization has to offer for young, aspiring pilots across the country.”

Conciatu never thought flying would become a lifelong passion. A self-starter, he began his interest in aviation in high school by reading aviation magazines and learning as much as he could about the ins and outs of taking to the skies. He soloed at 16 and received his pilot’s certificate at 17.

Although piloting was never his full-time career, Conciatu found time to fly as much as he could, while maintaining his day job in public safety before he retired. In addition to being a Young Eagles pilot, Conciatu is an independent flight instructor at Ray Community Airport (57D).

“One summer, I gave a boy a Young Eagle ride at Pioneer, and years later, he found me at Oshkosh to share that he was enrolled at the University of North Dakota, studying aviation,” he reported. “It’s stories like this that make what I do with the Young Eagles and the EAA so incredibly special. That feeling you get when you’ve impacted someone’s life is unmatched, and I’m very grateful to continue what I love and guide younger generations so they, too, can find a passion for flight.”

Conciatu’s wife, Marla Smith, is also actively involved with the Young Eagles. Although she is not a pilot, she has volunteered with the ground crews at the Young Eagles rallies and coordinated rides alongside her husband. She and Douglas met at AirVenture 13 years ago and enjoy coming back to Oshkosh every summer.

Conciatu, who volunteers at AirVenture, also flies Young Eagles at EAA Pioneer Field in Oshkosh during the summer months.