Thomas Wathen Foundation Opens Skies For Children

Flabob Airport became a field trip destination for 118 local fifth graders in March, as part of a continuing series of Youth Education Programs set up by the Thomas Wathen Foundation. Flabob is one of nine regional sites selected for satellite programs designed by the EAA for attracting young people to aviation. The Wathen Foundation claims has moved far beyond the original EAA concept.

About once a month, during the school year fifth and sixth graders travel to the airport where they spend a day learning about flight. They are introduced to aviation terminology, basic aerodynamics and the history of flight. They all participate in creating and launching miniature hot air balloons and in a paper airplane contest. At other times, representatives of the airport visit the schools to provide presentations on aviation.

Dr. Art Peterson, president of the Foundation Air Academy, helps arrange the field trips and conducts some of the classes. 

"This is our way of preserving aviation," said Dr. Peterson. "The level of enthusiasm for the history of flight program is incredible. The students are positively spellbound by the events, the aircraft and the people in the field. It's our hope that some of them will get hooked on flying through these efforts."

All of the kids who attend the day trip are invited to return to the airport to take a ride in an aircraft and become a part of EAA/Flabob's on-going Young Eagles Program. 

In addition to the one-day seminars, the Wathen Foundation also hosts ten 5-day Air Academies; two for high school students and the rest for middle school students. These events are scheduled throughout the year with varying times for participation, depending on school schedules. 

For information on the Air Academies planned for this summer contact Kathy Rohm at (909) 683-2309, extension 104; or email kathyrohm@aol.com. 

FMI: www.flabob.org/foundation.htm