Children learn hands-on about aviation careers - including a B-25 'flight' - at EAA's AirVenture

Jennifer Sawhney, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
Steve McCutchan helps Hannah Maffet make a custom wing rivet pin at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.
Steve McCutchan helps Hannah Maffet make a custom wing rivet pin at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.

OSHKOSH - Families and children visiting EAA's AirVenture learn about the aviation industry through hands-on activities at KidVenture, a space dedicated to younger visitors at this week's annual gathering.

At the south end of the EAA's AirVenture grounds, volunteers helped at nearly 30 booths where they taught children about aviation-related careers and activities.

Kids learned how an airplane engine works; they built custom name tags using power tools similar to ones used by mechanics and they sat inside a B-25 cockpit to fly a "mission."

Some children came with family members involved in aviation, while other parents used this event as an opportunity to introduce their children or build on their existing curiosity.

After a three-day drive in an R.V. from Williamsburg, Va., David Clemens, and his daughter, Mary, 14, arrived at Oshkosh late Sunday for their first EAA AirVenture. They planned to join friends and volunteer at the event all week.

The visit was prompted after David said his daughter told him she was interested in becoming a pilot.

While David's a fan of aviation, he didn't know much about the industry so he decided to take his daughter on this father-daughter trip so they could both learn more.

"You're seeing, in here, all these moms and dads and their kids. All they're doing is just experiencing what aviation has to offer," David said.

He wants to make sure his daughter is aware of how many options exist.

"It's not just about being a pilot. There's so much to do in the aviation industry that you got to look at all of it," he said.

On their first volunteer shift at one of the hangars, both were impressed they had met aviation enthusiasts from across the U.S. and as far away as New Caledonia, an island country in the South Pacific.

Mary said this was a "really cool event" and couldn't wait for a ride on a helicopter later. When asked if she would visit all the booths to learn more about aviation, she "definitely" planned on it.

David Clemens and his daughter, Mary, stand in front of an airplane engine, one of the exhibition booths at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.
David Clemens and his daughter, Mary, stand in front of an airplane engine, one of the exhibition booths at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.

At the other end of the hangar, volunteer Steve McCutchan taught Hannah Maffet, 8, how to properly use an air hammer and power drill as she made a custom wing rivet pin.

Hannah's mom, Lisa Maffet, had her iPhone ready to take pictures of her daughter as she used power tools for the first time.

"I love how it's family focused, lots of things to do and that this is for the kids. I mean, you don't find that this day and age: free activities for the kids to do and that they enjoy. And everyone here is so nice," Lisa said.

She was amazed by the "patient" volunteers, like McCutchan, who helped her daughter and son, Marshall, 6, use power tools or make parts of a wing.

Hannah Maffet sands the back of her wing rivet pin before she affixes a safety pin to it on July 25, 2022 at EAA AirVenture.
Hannah Maffet sands the back of her wing rivet pin before she affixes a safety pin to it on July 25, 2022 at EAA AirVenture.

This was Hezekiah Sykes', 6, first time at KidVenture as he guessed the placement of wood pieces for a model wing rig - the skeleton-like structure inside of an airplane wing - as his grandfather, Mark Seibert looked on.

Seibert, a pilot, has been coming to EAA AirVenture for 28 years and has brought seven of his nine grandchildren to the event for about 15 years.

This year, Seibert, his wife and three grandchildren drove over six hours from Minnesota to attend.

Seiber said he doesn't get to spend as much time with his grandchildren as he would like to at home, but this week he's looking forward to the "uninterrupted time with them."

Seibert said Sykes had shown an interest in building and hoped this hands-on exposure to different aspects of aviation would help his grandson think about his future.

"I have all (kinds of) things in my mind I want to be," Sykes said.

A volunteer helps a child build a wing rig using wood pieces, glue and staples at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.
A volunteer helps a child build a wing rig using wood pieces, glue and staples at KidVenture at EAA AirVenture on July 25, 2022.

Sykes smiled as he spun a model propeller he had made earlier that afternoon and asked his grandfather about tools he had back home they could use to build a model airplane - together.

"It's just incredible. it's just so neat to see what piques their interest when they're here."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Children learn about aviation industry, careers at EAA's AirVenture