By Michael Cooper-White, CFI
Aware of the nationwide pilot shortage, and eager to support young people interested in aviation, EAA Chapter 1041 has redoubled educational and training efforts in recent years.
Known as the “Gettysburg Barnstormers,” the chapter’s investment in aspiring young aviators is supported primarily by hosting fly- and drive-in breakfasts at its home airport in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (W05.) Prior to and following the pandemic, more than 1,000 attendees have enjoyed hearty Barnstormer breakfasts at each two-day event held every spring and fall.
Over the past two decades, the chapter has sent three dozen youths to Oshkosh for the annual Air Academy camp held in conjunction with AirVenture. A number of those attendees have gone on to receive their pilot certificates.
Inspired by his Air Academy attendance in 2014, Evan Kerr trained for his private pilot certificate with a Barnstormer member CFI (the author), earning it while still in high school. Today, Evan flies the right seat in Boeing 767s for Delta Air Lines on domestic and international flights. Evan said that since his first instructional flight, “I’ve known that this was going to be a lifelong adventure.” Crediting the Barnstormers for their support, he said, “It all began there.”
When the chapter learned of the Ray Aviation Scholarship program, members were eager to support pilot trainees selected from multiple applicants. First to receive his private certificate was Nathan Hawkins, who has gone on to earn commercial, instrument, instructor, and multi-engine ratings as he prepares for a professional flying career.
Following Nathan’s success, the chapter has been gratified to be awarded additional Ray scholarships for pilot training for Domenic DeRienzo, Adrian Garcia, Katarina Richardson, and Ross Clements. Already having soloed in gliders when he began his “power” training, Ross received both private certificates within months of each other.
Chapter Support Critical
Not content to rely solely on funds from the Ray Aviation program, the Barnstormers provided partial flight training costs from the chapter’s own resources for Liam Dwyer, who also passed his flight test while still in high school. In a note to his Barnstormer instructor after his first solo, Liam described flying as, “a lifelong dream of mine and you’ve made it a reality.” Like Nathan, Ross, and Katarina, Liam is currently pursuing additional ratings and hopes to fly professionally.
Chairing the chapter’s Ray awards committee during its early years, Carolyn Van Newkirk spearheaded efforts to support 1041’s student pilots. Carolyn is widely known as a competitor and record-holder in the women’s Air Race Classic, descended from the cross-country Powder Puff Derby made famous by Amelia Earhart in 1929. Frequently at monthly Barnstormer meetings, Carolyn offered updates on each student’s progress. “The whole chapter was interested,” she said, “and really supported our efforts.”
Active in the International Organization of Women Pilot (or 99’s as they are often called), Carolyn found it especially gratifying to watch Katarina and her sister proceed through their Ray-supported training.
Madison Richardson, supported by Chapter 36 at nearby Hagerstown, Maryland, earned her single-engine private pilot certificate on her 17th birthday. The following year, sponsored by 1041, Katarina became the first Ray scholar nationwide to complete helicopter training, earning the private certificate in December 2023. “Kat” received permission from her high school to leave early, drive 90 miles one way, and train in Smoketown, Pennsylvania. “I’m proud to be the first and only female helicopter pilot through the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program,” Katarina said. “My goal is to break barriers and show that women belong in aviation, especially helicopters.”
Both young women aspire to aviation careers, Madison with the airlines and Katarina as a designated pilot examiner (DPE). Their aspirations receive strong support from their mother, Tina Richardson, who realized a long-deferred dream by earning her own private pilot certificate at age 50. Tina said that, given the high cost of flight training, the Ray scholarships were “a real blessing” that “helped me make their dreams happen.”
While Carolyn continues serving on the RAS committee, she recently passed the left seat to current chair, Jason Pape. Jason, a CFI, is offering additional ground instruction as Domenic and Adrian prepare for their flight tests.
Another champion for young aviators is chapter president Henry Hartman, who has led the Barnstormers for more than two decades. Henry, who is among the 1041 members offering Young Eagles flights, invites Ray scholars to speak of their training experiences at Barnstormer meetings. “It gives the whole chapter such ‘lift’ to see these young folks coming up in aviation. We’ll keep supporting as many as we can,” Henry said.
In the EAA world, the adage “It takes a village to raise a child” might be rendered, “It takes a chapter to train a pilot.” The enthusiastic 100 or so members of a chapter based in a town known best for its role in a 19th-century pivotal Civil War battle are doing their part to meet the needs of aviation in the 21st century.
Michael, a Chapter 1041 member since 2001, has been a freelance CFI for more than 30 years. After retiring as a Lutheran minister and Gettysburg Seminary president, he earned his glider rating and has also been a tow pilot at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association. Author of five books, including On A Wing and A Prayer: Faithful Leadership for the 21st Century, he writes frequently for The Gettysburg Times daily newspaper and other publications.
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