Youth Aviation Adventure

Thank you for stopping by the YAA-Eau Claire website!

On September 12, 2009 we had our first YAA event in Eau Claire at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Not only did we have a great turnout, but we had alot of great help. There were 32 instructor/pilots and administrative folks coming from as far away as Ashland, WI, Hutchinson, MN, and St Paul. Also, lending pleanty of time at the event and during the summer leading up to the program were 12 UW@ Eau Claire students.

Also in attendence was Diane Langer representing the Great Lakes Region of the FAA showing their support for this youth learning experience.

Last but certainly not least our guest speaker for the event, astronaut Story Musgrave. Story fit in well in Eau Claire as he grew up on a dairy farm in MA. He attributes much of his success to learing how to think out side the box while doing problem solving on the farm. He said "when a problem cropped up on a space walk during the Shuttle Progam, it was his farming experience that fixed the problem not his post graduate degrees."

The exit surveys from the event reinforced our feeling that this was a fun morning for all and a great effort by the aviation community to show kids what General Aviation is all about.

We have posted pictures from the event, and a great video of one of the instructors, Jessica Miller, who was an inspiration to all of us.

Direct any questions to : (715) 514- 2434 Local in Eau Claire

The Youth Aviation Adventure Program

By taking part in this event you will visit 9 different learning stations about different aspects of flight. They are: Airport Operations, The Aircraft Power plant, Aerodynamics, Pre Flight Check of an Aircraft, The Instrument Panel, Aviation Careers, In-The-Know aviation quiz game & a very special station dedicated to the memory of Major Norbert C Ruff, a World War II fighter pilot with local Wisconsin ties. You will also build an FPG-9 glider.

Each youth that completes our YAA event will receive a YAA patch and there will also be a snack provided during the break period.

Over 50 volunteers will be on hand for this program contributing their time, effort, and enthusiasm for flying. Their purpose in coming together for this special Saturday is to share their knowledge and experience of flight with kids 12-18.

Last but certainly not least, you will hear from a terrific speaker about his life long experiences with aviation.