During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, Ken Jordan was busy as chairman of North 40 camping. But he took a few moments off to receive the Phillips 66 Aviation Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional Young Eagles volunteers.
“What truly brings me joy is working with youth and seeing the looks on their faces when they experience flying for the first time,” Ken said. “I’ve flown over 1,600 kids — some of them I know have continued with aviation and are a great success within the industry. With the Young Eagles program, it’s all about encouraging younger generations to get involved in aviation, and I get a lot of self-satisfaction doing it.”
A resident of The Villages, Florida, Ken grew up in England and moved to the U.S. more than 50 years ago. His passion for flying began in Southfield, Michigan, where he watched planes land and take off every day from his office window.
“I would see so many planes fly into Detroit Metro Airport and decided that one day, I wanted to fly,” Ken said. “So, I picked up the Yellow Pages, and the rest is history.”
After living and flying in Michigan and Pennsylvania for years, Ken retired to Florida. From 2015 to 2020, he was Young Eagles coordinator for EAA Chapter 74 in Orlando. He now flies out of Umatilla, Florida, where he is a founding member of EAA Chapter 1632. He’s been flying Young Eagles since 2000.
His local EAA chapter is involved in several special projects in the community, including the local high school’s aviation club where students have the opportunity to go to the airport to learn more about aviation.
“I am a firm believer in giving back,” Ken said. “I think we all need to share what we have, and in my case, I’m sharing my abilities as a pilot. The aviation industry is struggling with the current pilot shortage, so encouraging youth today is more important than ever.”
Ken credits much of his success with EAA to his wife Linda, who conducts all of Ken’s ground registration.
“I couldn’t do it without my wife. She’s been incredibly supportive and is by my side always,” Ken said. “Both of my daughters are also pilots, one a corporate pilot, so it’s a shared family passion.”
Ken and Linda also built a Rans S-19, which he owns along with his Piper Lance.
In addition to his involvement with Young Eagles, Ken is an avid volunteer for EAA, volunteering for 28 years, most recently as chairman of North 40 Aircraft Registration. He also volunteers every year at SUN ‘n FUN at the EAA booth.
“I love AirVenture because of the people, the friends, and the variety of aircraft,” Ken said. “The event is so special because you will see things you’ll never see again.”
For more information about the Young Eagles, go to EAA.org. To learn more about how Phillips 66 supports the Young Eagles program, go to Phillips66Aviation.com.
Any chance I could get his email address ? I am a physician who gave all the kids he delivered an airplane ride when they went to kindergarten. I have flown a few hundred. I also fly a PA32 and am from the MidWest and lived near Southfield in training. I just thought I would connect with him via email.
Congratulations Ken.