June 07--Joel Stoops and his brother Isaac both shared a thrilling moment Saturday, they took to the air above Porterville.
"I was a little scared, and it was easier to take off, but it was interesting," said Isaac Stoops.
Joel agreed.
"It was amazing just to see what God has created for us up high. On an airline you can't feel movement, but on a small airplane you can definitely feel the air currents," said Joel.
Neither young man had ever flown in a small plane before, but Joel had flown in a commercial airliner.
Having just received his Airframe and Powerplant certification which is needed in order to become an aircraft technician, from Reedley College, he is considering his options as far as obtaining a pilot's license.
His fascination for all things sky bound began when he was very young.
"I love to work with my hands and with building airplanes and rockets and shooting them up, flight is definitely in my blood," said Joel.
They were able to participate thanks to the the Young Eagles Program at the Porterville Airport which was sponsored by Porterville Unified School Districts Pathways' Program, the Air Faire Board which is chaired by Dave Nenna, and the Experimental Aircraft Owners Association or EAA.
The brothers along with 28 other youths; some from PUSD Pathways Programs, some from the Tule River Tribe, and others, received their first flight and/or introduction into aviation.
"It's an introductory flight, or first-time flight for kids who have never flown before and to promote aviation. I am hoping that the kids get interested in aviation," said Michael McMaster, one of the planners of the 2012 Porterville Air Faire this Saturday at the Porterville Airport.
He explains that the event is divided into three stages.
First, the kids are introduced to the aircraft and the pilots. This year, according to McMaster, there were three pilots who flew single engine Cessna 172s. This type of aircraft is a four-seat plane so each pilot was able to take three passengers.
At a preflight briefing, the participants were given information on the airplane and what would be happening. Then they were given a 20-minute flight which included a look at the instrument panels.
After the flight they received a certificate of completion and a logbook.
McMaster explains that the program is only a stepping stone.
"We want to introduce kids to aviation and show them the various career opportunities are available i.e, mechanic, pilot, running an airport, etc," said McMaster.
According to Nenna, the purpose of the program is to not only expose students to new experiences, but to also broaden their horizons.
"We need to breathe new life into general aviation. The Pathway programs are exposing kids to engineering, journalism, and we are just one more venue for the kids," said Nenna.
The program was so successful that other Young Eagles demonstrations are being planned.
"In the spring, we will probably hold another flight school. We would love to have it full blown. Our focus would be at the airport, and have subcommittees at schools. So far we have two chapters, one at Monache and one at Harmony Magnet Academy," said Mimi Schuler, the Work Base Learning Coordinator for PUSD.
The Young Eagles are an internationally known youth program that for 20 years has provided flights, and aviational education to interested students.
For more information, visit www.youngeagles.org/.
Copyright 2012 - The Porterville Recorder, Calif.
