District III
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
The future of aviation is in the youth of today. I’m sure you have pondered how we can get today’s youth interested in aviation. Ed Waske recently put his words into action by creating an event to attract today’s youth to aviation. Ed began his model aviation journey at a young age with Free Flight, Control Line (CL), and eventually RC. Model aviation led him to a career in aviation. Ed is the chief operating officer and co-owner of Engines & Airframe Solutions Worldwide. Ed’s company, based in Bridgeport, West Virginia, services aircraft worldwide.
Ed knows firsthand about the shortage of technicians, pilots, engineers, etc., in today’s aircraft industry. In early 2020, Ed had an idea of putting together an event to attract youth to aviation by utilizing his own model aviation experience. An event of this magnitude requires volunteers and, of course, money.
Ed pitched his idea to the news media and various aviation industries in the area, and the city and many companies donated money. The Flying Wing Nutz of St. Marys offered personnel to support the event, along with help from the people at Brodak Manufacturing for CL activities.
As Ed’s plan came together, things got interesting. By coincidence, I was contacted by Ron Ogren of New York, a former West Virginia modeler, who indicated that he belonged to the first model airplane club in West Virginia, that was created by Carl Hopkins.
Clarksburg, West Virginia, the same airport where Ed’s event was planned. I confirmed Ron’s information with the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana, which had the original newspaper article about Carl, dated July 4, 1947.
Carl’s and Ed’s goals aligned, and Ed named his event The Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo. The event was held on August 20-21, 2021, and featured CL demonstrations, RC buddy boxing, rocket launches, and more. AMA sent Education
Ron indicated that Carl had formed the club in 1928 to interest youth in aviation. Carl’s club held model airplane competitions at the airport in
RC buddy-box flying was very popular, with more than 200 kids and adults participating.
Carl Hopkins’ daughters attended the event. (Front row, L-R): Diane, granddaughter Lisa, and Mary Jo; (back row, L-R): Ron Cochran (airport operations), Ed and Pat Waske (event organizers), Mark Radcliff, and Kyle Jaracz.
Thank you to Kyle, Mary, Caleb, and Wyatt Jaracz for managing the AMA flight simulator trailer.
Director Kyle Jaracz with the AMA flight simulator trailer. West Virginia University displayed and launched model rockets. Ed had balsa gliders and prizes that the kids could win, including a ready-to-fly Apprentice RC airplane.
More than 800 youth and adults participated. Congratulations, Ed! I believe your dream gathering met your goal of introducing young men and women to the world of aviation. The entire community benefited from your gathering, and I am sure Carl is looking down and smiling at seeing his dream carried forward.
Until next month, stay safe and fly safely.
