A vintage 1947 Stinson single engine aircraft was recently donated by James Ellrodt of Tavares, Florida to the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534 based at the Leesburg International Airport in Leesburg, Florida.
Ellrodt had heard about EAA Chapter 534 and their work with young people, by teaching them how to build and repair older aircraft. He felt his donation would continue to encourage local young people to become involved with aviation.
With the help of youngsters and members in restoring the old Stinson, it will be brought back to airworthy condition. When completed it will be sold and any profit will be applied to the continuation of the chapter’s aviation youth program.
EAA Chapter 534 has long history of accepting donations of damaged aircraft, older planes, or unfinished aircraft building projects.
This chapter has an active aviation youth program that works with young people who have expressed an interest in aviation, either becoming a private pilot or some other aspect of aerospace.
The chapter has within their adult membership a number of people who have expertise in aircraft building and repair and provide mentorship for the young people.
The kids are taught how to use tools properly, work with adult mentors fixing airplanes, and learn the basics of aerodynamics.
Over the years the chapter, with the help of EAA, has been able to grant five Ray Aviation Scholarships to deserving young people from this area. These scholarships provide enough money for them to earn a private pilot’s license at a flight school of their choice.
EAA Chapter 534 also has a Young Eagles program that provides airplane rides for free in single engine general aviation aircraft.
The chapter’s pilots donate their time, personal aircraft, and fuel to take young people up in their planes to experience the wonder and freedom of flight.
By taking part in this program the kids, ages 8 to 17, get many additional perks such as a free online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course to prepare them to take the Federal Aviation Administration written exam, and a free student membership in EAA.
EAA Chapter 534 is a 501c3 nonprofit organization so any financial or in-kind donations are tax free.
If you would like to find out more about EAA Chapter 534 or EAA National you may go to the following web sites, www.eaachapter534.org and www.eaa.org.
I’m a traditional guy, with only enough updates to be able to work airspace, com, GPS, adsb, all concealed within the original packaging. Taildragger, sbs, high wing, fabric preferred. Ya know?
¨Bob Pitzer, one of several of EAA Chapter 534’s aircraft mechanics (A & P), starts work on the Fairchild engine. ¨
I think it should read ¨ ….the Franklin engine.¨
Also one ardently lives with the thoughts of hope that “updating¨ the instrument panel will NOT ruin the character turning this fine classic aircraft into a video arcade circus show as in many instrument panels in classic aircraft so called restorations today !
I had the sickening experience of riding in an N3N and a Ryan Pt-22 adulterated this way.