Education Through Aviation
Bill Pritchett | [email protected]
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." —Theodore Roosevelt
I've just returned from enjoying a great time with some men who believe that "if you build it, they'll come." They believe that providing hands-on educational opportunities is priceless. They believe that education through aviation is a reality.
I'm referring to Abe Schwartz and Gene Turner. Gene is a longtime real estate developer who became extremely successful in Florida, but also disenchanted. After moving to Arizona and New Mexico a few years ago and completing a number of successful developments in both states, Gene developed a new hobby: astronomy. After all, he's located in the best place in the world to stargaze.
One telescope led to another, and before he knew it, it was his passion. Recently, model rocketry caught his eye, and so did an individual: AMA member Abe Schwartz. Abe is an interesting character, knowledgeable of many things, and in addition to being an astronomy nut himself, he loves model aviation.
Gene Turner knew nothing about model aviation; however, he loves astronomy so much that he purchased 7,000 acres and is developing museums, RV facilities, a planetarium, privately owned observation buildings for personal telescopes, aerospace educational facilities, a wind tunnel, dormitory facilities for kids to attend camps, and lakes for ornithology studies.
Abe said, "Hey, what about model aviation?" And so it began.
Abe, as only Abe can, relentlessly stayed on Gene and the development project to make sure model aviation would be included. Gene and his crew developed two crossing runways on what is right now a blank canvas of about 650 acres, and it will someday be one of the finest model aviation facilities in the West.
I had the pleasure of attending the facility's ribbon-cutting ceremony and spending two days with these men, the construction crews, and their families. We were warmly welcomed and allowed to have a major AMA presence. District VIII Associate Vice President Mark Johnston and his buddy Brian Regan kindly drove down from Albuquerque with a greatly diverse stable of aircraft, including a helicopter.
Model flying was a huge hit and it was in front of all the right people. Any question I asked, Gene would simply say, "Whatever you want, just tell me what it is." Abe would chime in, "See, just ask for it!"
I would like to connect Tony Stillman, the AMA Flying Site Coordinator, with Gene and watch what happens. Gene Turner and Abe Schwartz have an amazing passion for sharing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) opportunities with learners of all ages through a number of different, yet related, disciplines.
They are putting a lot on the line to make this huge project happen. I want to thank the entire Granite Gap team for the privilege of being a part of the ribbon cutting and allowing us to present model aviation to so many influential individuals in the world of astronomy and rocketry.
Gene and Abe make a formidable team; they believe in what they're doing, have an amazing passion for the sky, and can't wait to include model aviation in their project.
Education through aviation? Yes. "Believe you can and you're halfway there?" Absolutely!
Camp AMA
Camp AMA will kick off its first session this summer. This camp is for kids 13–18 and is not for beginners. We're looking forward to having the 10 best helicopter and fixed-wing aerobatic young pilots we can find.
Key details:
- Arrival: Sunday, June 5 (also the day of XFC finals)
- Camp dates: June 6–9 (sessions with top competitors)
- Participants: 10 top helicopter and fixed-wing aerobatic youth pilots (ages 13–18)
- Housing: Ball State University
- Transportation: Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS)
- Program highlights: daily short courses on aerodynamics, model setup, "how to think like a winner," and lots of flying
- Special guests: Kyle Stacy and a surprise major fixed-wing pilot (stay tuned)
Follow Model Aviation and AMA Today, watch your e-mail, and check www.modelaircraft.org for more details.
By the time this issue hits your homes, thoughts of spring, warm days, and great times flying will be swirling in your head. Take a moment to review the basics of doing a preflight on your airplanes and thoroughly inspect all of your equipment. Just because it's been fine for the last few years only means that it's getting close.
Fly and have fun!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
