VAA Youth
This series features teens and young adults who are involved in the vintage aircraft movement. If you are or know of a young person who should be featured, please contact us here or write your own story and submit it.

Want to Start a Youth Program? Here is How One EAA Chapter Did It
by Jana Brown, Education Coordinator, EAA Chapter 1083 I am responding to an article in the July/August issue of Vintage Airplane regarding Youth Aviation Programs. I am a member of EAA Chapter 1083 in Salisbury, NC. We began a summer day camp, ASCEND- Aviation Summer Camp: Exploring New Dimensions in 2011. In 2017 we completed our 7th successful year. We ...
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YOUTH IN ACTION: Cayla McLeod
By Luke Lachendro (Ed. Note: This is Luke's first contribution to Vintage AirMail. Learn more of how Luke came to write for us at the end his feature on Cayla.) UPDATE: February 28, 2017. Cayla has created a wristband honoring the memory of her teacher, mentor and friend, Ron Alexander. You can show your support with a $10 contribution to ...
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YOUTH IN ACTION: David Leiting
By Ron Alexander, VAA We have many young people who are very interested and active in aviation. I have written the story of a couple of very involved young pilots in recent e-newsletter articles. This month we will tell the story of a young man 22 years of age who lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota. David Leiting has been ...
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YOUTH IN ACTION: Trevor Niemyjski
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 Previous articles in AirMail have focused on “Airports in Action”. I am now redirecting focus from the airports to the people who are making things happen at each airport. In earlier issues I have presented several EAA and VAA Chapters around the country whose membership places a priority on developing young people. I have been ...
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YOUTH IN ACTION: Gleb Liashedko
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 For the past couple of years I have been writing an article in AirMail about “Airport’s in Action.” In each issue we have presented several EAA and VAA Chapters around the country whose membership places a priority on developing young people. I have been very pleased to find that a large number of these chapters ...
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Youth in Action: Luke Lachendro
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of Jim Koepnick. Over the past two years I have been writing a column for the Vintage AirMail e-newsletter entitled “Airport Action.” The articles have focused on airports around the country that are making a difference in the lives of young people. The action is normally centered on an EAA Chapter ...
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Airport Action: CANDLER FIELD YOUTH PROGRAM
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 CANDLER FIELD YOUTH PROGRAM: FIRST PROJECT NOW FLYING In December, 2013 Candler Field Museum, located in Williamson, Georgia (just south of Atlanta) began a Youth Mentorship Program. The purpose of the program is to provide a means for young people to become interested in an aviation career. The aviation community has been well aware for ...
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AIRPORT ACTION: Sebring, FL, EAA Chapter 1240 and Youth
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 It is very well known that the state of Florida has a very active aviation community. Sebring, Florida is no exception. Most of us are aware of the fly-in held each January highlighting LSA activities. It is the U.S. Sport Aviation EXPO that takes place each January. The event draws aircraft literally from all over ...
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Airport Action: Vintage Chapter 29 and 2,900 Young Eagles
by Ron Alexander, VAA 27150 A number of airfields were constructed during World War II in locations throughout the United States. In the San Francisco Bay Area, along the eastern shoreline, one of these airbases is still in use today – not by the military but for general aviation use. Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) was first established in 1942 by ...
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