Chittenango High School sophomore Hunter Havener has been accepted to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. Advanced Air Academy 2014 in Oshkosh, Wis., this summer — an opportunity for which participants ages 16 to18 come from around the United States and several foreign countries.
Havener is the son of Leigh and Connie (Ramsden) Havener of Chittenango and grandson of Richard and the late Marian Ramsden, Cazenovia residents of 53 years.
Havener may be only a high school sophomore, but he has been flying since he was nine with his father in his Aeronca 7Ac Champ and already has logged more than 100 hours of flight time. “I have all my instruction time needed to get my student pilot license and am now waiting to receive my flight medical from the FAA so I can solo,” he said.
Havener said he applied to attend the EAA Air Academy because he feels it will be a great opportunity for to further develop his interests in aviation, and because he heard many great things about it from people that have gone in the past.
The EAA Air Academy offers young people the opportunity to meet and work with aviation professionals while living and learning the arts, sciences and lore of aviation in classroom, flight experience and workshop settings. Several days of the academy take place during the world’s largest aviation event — EAA AirVenture 2014.
“The EAA Air Academy teaches young people new skills and instills a pride of craftsmanship. More importantly, it develops their leadership potential and broadens their understanding of both aviation and themselves. The EAA Air Academy is a benchmark of personal experience … and an aviation experience that will last a lifetime,” said Bob Campbell, EAA’s director of museum and museum education.
Havener said he hopes during his tenure at the school to learn how to build/fabricate an aircraft, aircraft maintenance, the basics about weather and about pilot safety. He also hopes to learn what he would need to do to get his ratings such as tail dragger, private, commercial and AP/IA license, “and of course getting further involved with aviation by gaining lots of new knowledge and meeting many new people that have the same interest I do.” He said. “I’m very excited, and can’t wait to go!”
Havener’s future goals in aviation include becoming an airline pilot, an ap mechanic and, later in his career, performing aerobatics.
For more information on the EAA’s Air Academy programs, visit youngeagles.org, call 920-426-6815, or write to Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc., Resident Education Office, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903-3086. Applicants need not be EAA members. The prime consideration is an interest and enthusiasm for aviation.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
