The three articles below were printed in the July 24, 2005 Clarion Journal (Monroe County's Suburban Journal)

Flying the friendly skies

by Kevin Darr of the Suburban Journals Clarion Journal, 07/24/2005
(Photos by Terry Smith)

St. Louis Downtown Airport Director Bob McDaniel in the cockpit of his Starduster Too sport aerobatic biplane, one of several used by the Eastside Chapter of the Young Eagles program to introduce young people to aviation.	Bob McDaniel of Columbia with his Starduster Too sport aerobatic biplane.

His parents thought he was crazy, but Bob McDaniel knew what he wanted to do with his life.

As a teen-ager growing up in Cahokia, McDaniel often would drive down to St. Louis Downtown Airport in Sauget and itch his curiosity for aviation.

"I would go around and just ask questions," McDaniel said. "If one person chased me off, I would go somewhere else where they would tolerate me."

Persistent and intuitive, McDaniel started mowing the lawns around the runways and fueling airplanes, working his way up the chain of command. When he wasn't working, he would pick the brains of any pilot he could find.

After learning the ropes, McDaniel attended St. Louis University Parks College, earning a degree in aviation.

He used this experience to join the United States Air Force, where he served for 25 years.

After his duty was complete, McDaniel directed the Texarkana Regional Airport for three years when the opportunity of a lifetime came his way.

"There was an opening to be the director of the St. Louis Downtown Airport," McDaniel said. "I wanted to come home, to where I started, so I jumped at the chance."

For five years, McDaniel has enjoyed the time in his current post, bringing his flying career full circle.

But serving his own interests isn't enough for McDaniel. He wants to pass the torch to a younger generation, which is why he got involved with the Experimental Aviation Association's Young Eagles program.

The Columbia resident has given more than 100 children the chance to see what he fell in love with as a teen-ager by offering his time to give them their first flying experience.

"Kids today don't have the opportunity that I did," McDaniel said. "With Homeland Security and regulations, they can't just walk in an airport and start asking questions like I did."

With the help of the EAA, McDaniel, along with 15 other volunteer pilots, gives kids between the ages of 8-17 a crash course in flying, showing them how the instruments work, how an airplane flies and what to expect when they are in the air.

"We try to tailor our teachings to the level of interest the participant shows," McDaniel said. "If they want to know everything, we will show them everything.

"But if they just want to enjoy the flight, we can do that too. My main goal is to make sure they have a positive experience in the air so they want to come back."

Along with getting another chance to fly, McDaniel said his involvement in the Young Eagles program is twofold.

"There is a shortage of pilots and we need to pass the torch," McDaniel said. "Maybe by giving these kids this experience, it will spark an interest in them to start a career in aviation.

"But if nothing else, the smiles on their faces when the flight is over is reward enough."

Young Eagles program first kicked off in 1992
by Kevin Darr of the Suburban Journals Clarion Journal, 07/24/2005

Started in 1992, the Experimental Aviation Association's Young Eagles program has spurred the careers of many in the aeronautics field.

Along with local pilot Robert McDaniel, over 40,000 volunteer pilots in more than 90 different countries have extended their expertise of flying to children ages 8-17.

Offered free of charge, the flights are a crash course in navigating the skies.

Volunteer pilots explain what will happen during the flight by talking about the airplane, reviewing aeronautical charts, identifying reference points during the flight and identifying parts that control the plane.

"This is a great way for those that are starting to get interested in flying to decide whether they really want to do it," Young Eagles Media and Public Relations Director Dick Knapinski said. "Our instructors take it slow and make sure the kids know what they are getting into."

The flights generally take anywhere from 15-20 minutes and once they are finished, the pilots stick around to answer questions.

The pilot, along with Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford, signs a Young Eagles certificate to be given to the child.

The names of the pilots and the participants are also included in the "World's Largest Logbook," on permanent display in the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis.

The EAA, which sponsors the program, is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and based in Oshkosh, Wis.

More than 170,000 people currently belong to EAA, with local chapters located in all 50 states. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts.

EAA members enjoy all types of aircraft, including experimental aircraft—built by individual craftsmen. Experimental refers to the category of aircraft designed by the Federal Aviation Administration for these types of airplanes.

For those interested in scheduling a flight with a local instructor, log onto youngeagles.org.

Scholarships, internships available for interested aviators
by Kevin Darr of the Suburban Journals Clarion Journal, 07/24/2005

Flying used to be a past time for the rich.

But with the help of the Experimental Aviation Association, thousands of kids are being given the opportunity to fly through their Young Eagles program and continue their dreams into college.

For those interested in making a career out of flying, here is a list of scholarships and internships the EAA offers to qualified high school and college students:

Scholarships

Applicants must major in an aviation-related field and be a current member of the EAA or recommended by a current member. To apply for these scholarships, log onto eaa.org.

EAA Achievement in Aviation Scholarship—Two $500 scholarships given to deserving students active in recreational aviation endeavors. Awarded to two individuals for their aviation education and training.

Herbert L. Cox Memorial Scholarship—One $500 scholarship given to an individual accepted to or attending a four-year accredited college or university in pursuit of a degree leading to an aviation profession. Must show need for financial support.

Hansen Scholarship—One $1,000 scholarship. A renewable scholarship for a student in good academic standing enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical college pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering.

Payzer Scholarship—One $5,000 scholarship. Presented to an individual accepted or enrolled in an accredited college, university, or post-secondary school with an emphasis on technical information. Awarded to a person who is seeking a major and declares an intention to pursue a professional career in engineering, mathematics, or the physical or biological sciences.

Clay Lacy Professional Pilot Scholarship—One $1,000 scholarship. Provides highly-qualified potential flight students the opportunity to attend a professional flight program at the University of North Dakota to earn a college degree as a professional pilot and earn commercial, instrument, multi-engine and all fixed-wing flight instructor ratings. Participate in flight by living on the EAA Air Academy campus, supporting EAA programs, activities and events. The scholarship provides for a substantial portion of flight-related fees to a potential total of $12,500 per year. Applicants must attend UND, meet Federal Aviation Administration criteria for licensure and must have their private pilot's certificate to be eligible.

Internships

Applicants must be willing to provide support for EAA and the EAA Air Academy youth programs. Duties for internships range from assisting in research and filing in the Boeing Aeronautical Library to moving and securing aircraft and minor maintenance of buildings, grounds and aircraft. Deadlines for 2005 internships are over, but 2006 internships can be applied for by logging onto eaa.org.

Wittman Aviation Studies Internship—One intern. Primary role will be to work with the collections department of the EAA AirVenture Museum. The work will be in support of the museum's artifact management program and is suitable for a person with curatorial work. Duties may include cataloging, moving and researching artifacts in the museum collection. A stipend of $2,500 is provided. Travel and lodging are the responsibility of the intern. Interns must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the internship.

Women Airforce Service Pilots Internship—One intern. Provides opportunities for women's aviation studies. The primary role of the WASP intern will be to work with the EAA Air Academy summer youth programs. Participants may receive ground and flight instruction. A study of women's aviation accomplishments in the past and present also will be part of this internship in preparation for a presentation to each camp session. A stipend of approximately $750 and travel subsidy are possible. Interns must be at least 18 years of age.

Cliff Robertson Work Experience Program—Two people, ages 16 or 17 years old. Provides the opportunity to work in the EAA AirVenture Museum, historic Pioneer Airport and at EAA AirVenture 2005, the world's premier aviation event. Participants receive flight and ground school training. Assistance at all EAA Air Academy programs is a requirement of the program. Stipends of $750 and travel are possible.

NOTE: In addition to the opportunities listed above, EAA Chapter 64 has a scholarship to assist members in their flying training and St. Louis Downtown Airport has internships available for college students.

For more information on the Young Eagles program or to arrange a flight, phone Larry Frey, Chapter 64's Young Eagles Coordinator, at 618-654-7808 or contact him via e-mail at: lrogerfrey@hotmail.com.

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