Teen Flight (teenagers building an RV-12)

[DeltaRomeo]

....questions about the Teen Flight program posted here will be answered by one of the program mentors.


Additional Info On 'Teen Flight' ...courtesy Scott McDaniels
"A few more factoids to go along with the article written by Van about the 'Teen Flight' program in the new RVator (page 7)"

1. We have 12 teens ranging from 14 to 17 years old.
2. All boys (I got no interest from any girls other Ken K's, and my daughters, but they were not quite old enough).
3. The teens have a wide range in their level of interest in aviation...a couple have taken some flight training. A couple of others were just recently introduced through a Young Eagles flight. The rest fall somewhere in between.
4. There is a somewhat equal mix of school backgrounds with some home schooled, some in alternative schools, and some in public schools.
5. They are all very sharp kids. They learn quickly, and are already very knowledgeable about all the different aircraft rivets and hardware, the different drill bit sizes associated with that hardware, etc.
6. There are about 20 mentors involved. 10 or so are on a regular rotation schedule and the rest are standby or special projects (videography and photography).
7. Every attempt is made to keep the teens doing all of the work with the mentors supervising, and demonstrating how to do something when needed.
8. I hope to have a completed and ready to fly RV-12 by the end of the traditional school year. Considering our progress so far it looks doable.
9. We have a blog that we are trying to keep up to date with the progress we make each week. The address is www.teenflight.blogspot.com
   - One of the secondary goals is to document the program as much as possible to make it easier for someone else to repeat the program if the were interested in doing something like this (an EAA chapter, RV builders group, etc.)

[newtech]

As I understand the FAA does not allow time spent working on Experimentals to be applied to the work experience portion of an A&P license. Can experience building an LSA be applied toward an A&P license?

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by newtech

As I understand the FAA does not allow time spent working on Experimentals to be applied to the work experience portion of an A&P license. Can experience building an LSA be applied toward an A&P license?

Even if an RV-12 is built as recommended by Van's Aircraft it is still an experimental category aircraft but it is experimental LSA instead of experimental amateur built.

It has been a while since I looked at the rules regarding using work experience to meet the training requirements to be eligible to take the written and practical tests for an A&P license, but I don't remember it specifically stating that work on experimentals would not qualify, just that the work has to be under the tutelage/supervision of a certificated mechanic.

This seems to be one of those areas where it depends on what FSDO office you are working with and what FAA person you are talking too. I know of a number of people that have received their A&P this way, and a few that were told it wasn't possible.

[Bob Axsom]

Regardless of the A&P question it is a fantastic experience that you are providing these young people. I do not mean "fun" or "cool" or any trivial thing equivalent to watching television. This is the experience of creation. It's a wonderful thing you are doing.

Bob Axsom

[Peterk]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

Regardless of the A&P question it is a fantastic experience that you are providing these young people. I do not mean "fun" or "cool" or any trivial thing equivalent to watching television. This is the experience of creation. It's a wonderful thing you are doing.

Bob Axsom

I'll second that...Scott was also very unselfish in keeping us "old" people on track when we were building our 12's. Everytime we would question some engineering wisdom and threaten to be smarter, he would step in and say, "did you consider...." Thanks Scott

[Ironflight]

Replace the RV-12 with "J-3 Cub" and what you have is the same kind of outstanding opportunity that I was given at age 13 by an FBO who formed an Explorer post to get teens involved in aviation - almost four decades ago! It worked then, it will work now! I know several of the kids in my group went on to aviation carers - probably 20% - and that is a huge number taken in context. I could never have afforded to get involved in "Real Airplanes" without the opportunity - I think EVERY city should have a program like this - maybe our looming pilot shortage would be averted.

Great program!

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by Peterk

I'll second that...Scott was also very unselfish in keeping us "old" people on track when we were building our 12's. Everytime we would question some engineering wisdom and threaten to be smarter, he would step in and say, "did you consider...." Thanks Scott

Us young guys too!





This is an excellent idea. One that I will explore for my next RV-12 build. I would love to get some of the local high schoolers involved in pulling rivets and deburring, not as slave labor, but like Paul said, it is a great opportunity. Taking kids for rides in airplanes might be fun, but we need to get them involved, with hands on.

[rvbuilder2002]

The Teen flight blog has been brought up to date and more photo's will be posted soon.

www.teenflight.blogspot.com

The team took a break this past Saturday for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend but they will be back at it this coming Saturday

[rvbuilder2002]

The weekly update has been posted to the Teen Flight Blog site.

www.teenflight.blogspot.com

[GSME]

Scott -

I commend you for your time and effort in this project.

Gary Milne
#120270