Samuel Billings is not afraid to hand over the controls of an airplane to a teenager.
He has witnessed firsthand the confidence they gain in the experience, one born of training and discipline, few high-schoolers can claim.
To bring the opportunity to more youth in the area, especially the underprivileged, he started the Youth Aeronautics Educational Foundation in 2008. This weekend, YAEF is holding its inaugural golf tournament to support instruction for local children on the ground and in the air.
Working with local service agencies, Billings tries to spark a skyward interest early on with the Head Start to Aviation program for children 9 to 13 years old. They engage in hands-on activities in the STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — field during a weeklong camp twice a year.
From there, Billings works to transition children to the two avenues for older enthusiasts: one for building an airplane and another that puts students in the pilot’s seat.
Youth seeking to take the controls must go through extensive training by a certified flight instructor, passing a written knowledge exam and held to high standards at every step along the way.
Since the program launched, eight have earned their private pilot licenses.
Flying is not for everyone, though. The other program for ages 14 to 18 focuses on the technical and mechanical side of aviation.
“The beauty of our program is that our program is not so much about producing flyers or pilots. … What we’re trying to do is expose them to things that are beyond what they get in school, so they can make their choice and follow their dreams,” Billings said.
Whichever their direction, the students are engaging with STEM material that Billings said applies to the lessons they learn in school but also goes beyond the classroom to the real world. Motivated by statistics the U.S. is falling behind the world in STEM education, Billings wants to arm youth with the technical skills and tenacity to compete in the 21st century.
But the program sets out to teach more than numbers. Billings has watched the exchange between children who are referred to the program — some from low-income families and others deemed at-risk by authorities — and those from more affluent backgrounds.
They interact, exchange ideas and build — together.
“They all are learning the same thing that could take them to the same destiny if they work hard at it,” Billings said.
In the process, he believes both sets of children learn valuable lessons about privilege and perseverance.
For all of its programs, YAEF relies on the generosity of the community. An airplane was donated to the organization to use to train young fliers, and two of the three pilots who instruct do so on a volunteer basis. But the plane requires an annual inspection to stay in service, the next part on the building project carries a $6,000 price tag and the insurances costs for the program are hefty.
In order to keep YAEF in the air, the group turned to a golf tournament. to be held this Saturday at Kiskiack Golf Club. While it has earned money in previous years through an annual banquet, Billings hopes a golf tournament will be a new way to connect with more people in the community and an event to build on for the future.
He also hopes it will help the organization reach its $10,000 fundraising goal. If met, the sum would see YAEF through 2015, he said.
Spots will be available up to the day of the tournament. Registration starts at 8 a.m., with play teeing off at 9 a.m.
An individual ticket is $80, or a team of four can register for $300, which includes green fees, golf carts, range balls, lunch and prizes.
For registration information, call 968-0728. To learn more, visit the YAEF website, or click here for its GoFundMe online fundraising site.
