bradcarr Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 Ok so as you all know or can tell via my time on the forums I am very new to flying and my Mooney. My transition training is next week and I'll then be getting ready to tackle my Instrument Rating. Anyway, I had a Friend's son(a senior in high school) who has a big interest in aviation reach out to me. We have flown in the 152, and he is beyond infected with the bug. So much so he was given a senior project and (probably without considering the challenge) chose me as his mentor and wants his project to be about aviation. It seems like the goal of the project is some sort of service to a community or communities. I'm aware of things like angel flights etc that are already out there. I wanted to open the forum to possibly give us some ideas as you guys have been in aviation far longer than me. I am including the rules listed and am willing to take any and all suggestions you have. I'm kind of stumped on what type of community service product we could create that deals with Aviation. Hoping you guys can come through big on this one. In Planning Your Product, Keep in Mind. . . 1. Your product must be student-generated. In other words, no one will assign it to you. You must choose your overall Project, decide a Mentor in this Project area, and talk with your Mentor about a service Product. Your mentor will see a need that no one else sees and can steer you in that direction. 2. The product must be community service oriented. A group/community must benefit from this Product. You are required to work on your Product (outside of class) for at least 25 hours. You must spend 10 hours with your Mentor, shadowing, assisting, etc. You must receive no pay for your Product nor Mentor hours. 3. The value of your Product is measured, in part, by how many people your service benefits. You cannot plan to benefit only a few people.
phxcobraz Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 Something like Pilots and Paws, Angel Flight, disaster relief assistance flying supplies, etc. Keep in mind the limitations of your private pilot privileges and taking money for services. If he does not have a private pilot certificate, you are going to have to eat the gas on these things. On the other end of things, you could consider something like a fundraiser and action to support your local airport tower/TRACON controllers while they are not being paid during the government shutdown.
KSMooniac Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 I'm a bit confused of the request, but if I'm inferring correctly the service project should provide something tangible to the community, not just a donation or some arbitrary number of labor hours applied towards something nebulous. I'm aware of past service projects like painting/installing compass roses at airports that have been done by 99's in the past. There would be some level of surveying and marking followed by the painting of course. That might not rise to an appropriate level of how many people it might benefit, though. I would consider having the student create some sort of really nice display for the local terminal or FBO building that could be centered on local aviation history, or perhaps something along the lines of a "fundamentals of flight" educational display for kids or any interested folks at the airport. This would involve some research activity, understanding of the science, creation of an attractive (and accurate) display of some sort, and finally production and installation. The student could solicit some donations from a print shop or similar to help produce the display too. If done well, it could evolve into a field trip destination for local school classes to expose more kids to aviation with the display, followed by some airplane tours, Q&A with volunteer owners, etc. and perhaps Young Eagles flights.
Hank Posted November 5 Report Posted November 5 A similar option would be connected with a local charitable flight organization (Angel Flight, PALS, etc.) and come up with some advertising for them in your area--posters, web banners, etc. Include summary of recent flight, number of people served, how to reach out for assistance, etc. He may even be able to ride along on a flight . . . P.S.--reach out with this to area hospitals, to provide to their patients in need
Flyler Posted November 5 Report Posted November 5 Maybe a photoshoot of all the iconic places in town from the air?
Yetti Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 If you are located in Florida that is the jumping off point for disaster flights for Jamaica. Lot's of chances to get volunteer hours.
dkkim73 Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 If he's techy, he could think about something involving smart webcams for wx, monitoring bird activity near runways, etc. Maybe put together a destination guide or activity book for youth aviation (aerocamping,etc) in the region? He could start a club for younger children to pass the bug along? This has the advantage of building some social skills and meaningful connections in the aviation community. Some volunteer land-mapping for a local wildlife convervation activity? Starting a PMA parts clearinghouse for old CBs with niche airplanes on the internet. Just throwing spaghetti, hoping it helps...
varlajo Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 1 hour ago, dkkim73 said: Starting a PMA parts clearinghouse for old CBs with niche airplanes on the internet. Oh I like that one!!
SARNorm Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 A bench or picnic area at a local airport to serve as an observation area. Requires approval from the local people in charge, some physical and skilled labor, and possibly a dedication to a local or veteran's group. I have worked with Eagle Scouts on similar projects (they have a community service requirement.) 2
dkkim73 Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 3 hours ago, SARNorm said: A bench or picnic area at a local airport to serve as an observation area. Requires approval from the local people in charge, some physical and skilled labor, and possibly a dedication to a local or veteran's group. I have worked with Eagle Scouts on similar projects (they have a community service requirement.) That's a really great idea. I always notice the little parks, observation decks, etc, for plane spotting. Even some small airports will attract families from time to time. When I was a kid we used to specifically drive out to the park by DCA and watch arrivals. I think Dulles has a deck as well... kind of remember the Concorde.
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