Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 376, Central California

We Use Aviation To Inspire Youth Toward Science, Math And Technology Education

The Bill Smilie Aviation Center Our big project is well underway!  The "Bill Smilie Aviation Center" refers to a building and a collection of services focused on using Aviation to inspire youth towards education and achievement.  We will begin construction of the building soon.  We are engaged with services for youth now.  The Man Bill Smilie created Sierra Sky Park in 1946.  It was the first residential airpark in the world.  There are hundreds of them all over the world now, but Fresno was the first.  The story of how Bill and Doris Smilie accomplished this is inspirational to everyone.  We use this story to encourage young people to dream big, plan well, work hard and reach for great heights. The Building We (EAA Chapter #376) own a 170’ x 100’ lot at Sierra Sky Park in Fresno, Ca.  We are going to build a 100’ x 60’ hangar which will be our base of operations.  Our building permit has been approved and associated fees are paid.  We are currently working to build the retaining walls, add dirt, compact and grade the property.  We need to raise more funds in order to bring this to life. The hangar at any time may contain functioning aircraft, aircraft under construction, static aviation displays, flight simulators, educational aviation exhibits and museum exhibits.  The center will be a place where youth can interact with pilots and aviation enthusiasts with a variety of aircraft and projects. Current Youth Work Young Eagles Rallies: 7 events per year where we fly 20 to 60 youth for free. Online Ground School: Mentor youth though online pilot ground school. Elementary Schools: Provided guest speaker for assemblies of 400 students. School Fairs: Provided hands on experiences with an airplane and vertigo simulator. Career Fairs: Participated in career fairs for high schools. Education Committees: Serve on numerous education committees. High School Interns: Provided real world project work experience for high school programs. Aviation Clubs: On-site high school aviation club and an online club experience.   Future Home of San Joaquin Valley Aviation History Museum Residential Airparks of the World Museum Youth Aviation Resource Center San Joaquin Valley Aviation History Museum: We have a rich aviation history in the San Joaquin Valley.  Many of the first hand witnesses to our aviation history are still available to help document this history.  We are working with school organizations to bring students and living historians together to document this history via classroom projects, extra credit assignments and independent study projects.  The results of these projects will be static, mobile and virtual museum exhibits.  Static displays will be rotated among a variety of locations such as schools, businesses, shopping centers, libraries, community centers and more.  Mobile displays will be taken to school fairs, community events, business expositions and more.  Virtual displays will be Internet based via YouTube, MySpace and similar venues.  Among the items currently on hand for this museum are the portraits of the area aviators that used to hang in the Terminal Building at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.  Residential Airparks of the World Museum: Sierra Sky Park was the first residential airpark in the world.  We will honor Bill Smilie and Fresno with this museum.  We have a collection of historical documents and artifacts.  This aspect of the museum will focus on the inspiring story of the creation of Sierra Sky Park.  Secondly, displays will tell the stories of residential airparks that Bill Smilie advised in various capacities.  Information about all known residential airparks will complete this museum.   We will work with students and teachers to document this history via classroom projects, extra credit assignments and independent study projects.  The results of these projects will be static, mobile and virtual museum exhibits.  Static displays will be rotated among a variety of locations such as schools, businesses, shopping centers, libraries, community centers and more.  Mobile displays will be taken to school fairs, community events, business expositions and more.  Virtual displays will be Internet based via YouTube, MySpace and similar venues.   Youth Aviation Resource Center: Academic: We will provide correlation for youth showing how the academic subjects in school are relevant in real life, specifically in aviation.  We will support youth who are pursuing ground school.  We will provide relevant information regarding education and careers in aviation.  Our academic objective is not necessarily to get youth interested in aviation as a career or hobby but rather to use the fascination that many people have with aviation to get young people excited about academic subjects. Socialization: We will have aircraft and aircraft artifacts in various states of construction or display.  We will have flight simulators, resource material and aviation entertainment material.  All this in an environment reminiscent of days of old where many of our senior pilots in their youth enjoyed the experience of interacting with pilots at the local airport.  This experience is not available on most modern airports but can be available at Sierra Sky Park. Flight: The third program is Young Eagles, www.youngeagles.org which we have been participating in since 1992 to give introductory airplane rides to youth ages 8 to 17 years.  Youth 13 years and older can now enroll in free online ground school.  We are currently available to mentor youth through the ground school.  We anticipate being able to operate scholarship programs to help with flight training costs. Additional Information: See the tabs that begin with BSAC for more information.   Direct any inquiries about this project to EAA 376 President Doug Betts. Doug Betts dougbetts@eaa.cc 559-433-3332 They Came for Our Hangar Groundbreaking Ground Is Broken for New Hangar Project The clouds cleared, and the sun shone on the long awaited groundbreaking of the new Bill Smilie aviation center. Special Hanger Groundbreaking Luncheon