The Talkeetna Build A Plane project is scheduled to start up again soon after a summer hiatus.
Rebecca Fisher is the individual behind the beginning of an organization that has enabled some of the Talkeetna youth to find jobs in aviation locally. She is also the first to acknowledge that numerous volunteers are involved and have put in thousands of hours of instruction.
She says the program is open enrollment. It means that any student –age 12 through adulthood– is welcome to participate in the program. Last year, after a bit of attrition, there were 12 students that completed the year. After so many hours, students are awarded a BAP jacket, and after that, begin accruing hours for free flight lessons. Drew Haag arranges introductory lessons that log the required hours.
Fisher admits it might be a bit awkward for a beginner to get started, but asks newcomers to be patient as volunteer mechanics and pilots work to find the best level and fit to every participant.
This past year, Build a Plane has received funding from Napa, in Wasilla; from area Snap-On-Tools representative Aksel Buholm; Rasmussen Foundation; Wolf Aviation Fund and from the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation. Fisher says that Snap On Tools donated over eleven thousand dollars worth of tools to the students and have gone on to provide tools to every Build A Plane project in the nation.
The first fall Build a Plane session is planned for September 19th. Fisher encourages any parent or student that wants to be involved in the project to attend any session.
Sessions are Mondays and Thursdays and every second Saturday of the month. The project runs through the school year until climbing season begins in spring and mechanics and pilots return to their full time, hectic schedules.
