Flying High Coffee Comes To Oshkosh To Generate Significant Lift To Aviation

By Maxine Scheer

Rob Riggen, a CFII and President of Flying High Coffee, estimates that if just 5 cents from every cup of coffee consumed by avid coffee-drinking pilots were used to fund aviation scholarships and non-profits, more than $20 Million could be raised annually to fund initiatives that introduce new ways of engaging people to aviation.

Rob Riggen

After “market testing” 7,000 cups of Flying High coffee with EAA volunteers and exhibitors last year, Rob has come to Oshkosh to introduce AirVenture attendees to his products and vision for how to make aviation more accessible to potential new enthusiasts. Rob is committing 30% of Flying High Coffee’s profits to fund flight training and unique aviation education programs provided by non-profits that engage new interest in aviation. This first year he has chosen two EAA participants, Able Flight and Girls with Wings.  Flying High will present these first donations at 8:30am on Wednesday at the EAA Media HQ.

Rob’s story is similar to many people who come to AirVenture – he invested in an aviation education, having graduated from Daniel Webster College, and pursued a career in aviation – his passion was flight instruction. “Life happened,” said Rob. “Burlington, Vermont was not a mecca for flight training.  For 15 years I found a career in the Internet world, making a good living, but missing aviation”.  “My Flying High Coffee business concept allows me to combine my technology skills, my passion for coffee, and my passion for aviation. I’ve come back to do something positive for aviation with drive and dedication.  Like most everyone in this industry, I’m concerned about the dwindling pilot population and want to do something about it."

Rob and his crew are setting up booths at AirVenture that will provide attendees with free samples of his coffee and opportunities to discuss his concept.  The three sites include one at the main entry gate, the Tram Stop at the FAA Control Tower, and at his “main brewing tent” along the path between Hangars A and C.  His crew will start at 0530 and will brew throughout the day.  Flying High Coffee is also supporting the Home Builders and with co-sponsor Wicks Aircraft Supply is providing coffee to the EAA Home Builders headquarters and camping area.

In asking about how he chose the award recipients, he described how Flying High received interest from a number of non-profits. “I chose Girls With Wings after meeting Lynda Meeks at an aviation event and was impressed at her efforts to inspire girls at an early age.” The other recipient is Able Flight, which provides scholarships for flight training to enable people with disabilities the life-changing experience of learning to fly.  “Both organizations have a real passion for bringing a new dimension to aviation.”

Rob described how this idea actually started after coming to a number of aviation events and having a hard time finding a decent cup of coffee. “If we as aviators could tap into a fraction of the revenues we generate from consumer products and direct them to inspiring kids, this could be a significant in financially supporting the aviation industry.

FMI: www.flyinghighcoffee.com, www.girlswithwings.com, www.ableflight.org, www.wicksaircraft.com