A local aviation buff is providing young people with the tools to build a potential career in the industry.
Warren Klippenstein, lead volunteer for the Aviation Department at YFC Altona - Youth Unlimited, is leading a team of youth in fashioning a flying airplane from scratch using sheets of metal and angle iron.
"I love aviation," said Klippenstein. "I thought that anybody with a hands-on experience and love as I have, anybody wanting to get involved in this kind of a build, it excites me and it might excite a lot of youth in the area. Teenagers that want to get their hands on, learn something, look up plans, tape measure, reading, drilling - you know, it's part of a challenge, but at the same time, it's also rewarding. There is some excitement. There are kids that really want to get their hands on this project. That's the way we thrive, as leaders and volunteers."
The project began at the end of January with the construction of a work table. Klippenstein is quick to add that the completion timeline is not top priority.
"Obviously it's going to take a number of hours, anywhere from three thousand, possibly four thousand hours. So, it's going to take a lot of time. But as the youth come in and we all gather together, I mean, three to five youth at a time, if we can get that happening, it's going to go a lot quicker. One hour turns to five hours. It's a matter of putting in the time."
And once all is said and done, the goal is to put the plane in the air.
Projects like this involve conversation, pointed out Klippenstein, adding this one comes down to building a plane and building relationships.
"Projects are how I often get a lot of conversations. When you're talking with anybody - friends, my own children - anytime we do a hands-on project we can talk about heartful things as well. It's a good time to really relate to the other person. For me, that's what a project is all about. It's that relationship that you build as you're building. Two things are happening at the same time. It's not just the plane itself, it's the relationships we also look forward to."
The third aim of the plane project is to create enthusiasm for aviation.
"We were planning to possibly give a number of youth a discovery flight. It's a half-hour flight in a certified airplane just to get them used to the idea of being up in the air and seeing what it feels like. Also, if we could do some fundraisers and actually help some of the youth go and take the ground school, possibly even towards a private pilot's license, we'd like to go there as well. So there's a lot of different things, [such as] going on to a commercial license.
There's a high need in the aviation industry, noted Klippenstein.
"Mechanics, aircraft maintenance engineers, design engineers and air traffic controllers all play a part in aviation."
For those who are passionate about flying, financial help is available. They can apply for an $11,000 scholarship toward the cost of earning a Private Pilots Licence.
Chapter 63 of the Experimental Aircraft Association based at Lyncrest Airport in Springfield, Manitoba has announced an $11,000 scholarship toward the cost of earning a Private Pilots Licence.
Youths aged 16 to 19 who are passionate about aviation should apply.
The application deadline is March 31, 2023.
~ With files from Reporter Candace Derksen