The first few members may be easy to find, but don’t stop there…

Pass It On—Before It Fades

Don’t simply assume you know everyone around you who’s into flying—taildraggers, bush planes, ultralights. There are people nearby who would love it if given the opportunity, want to try it, or don’t even know it’s possible for them—especially young people. A lot of them just assume flying is for rich folks. That’s a myth. And it’s on us to bust it.

Like many of us old-timers, I had the privilege of growing up in the ’80s during the ultralight boom—and that’s what lit the fire. Those “flying lawn chairs” buzzing overhead weren’t just noise. They were a promise. A spark. Proof that flight could belong to anyone with the passion to chase it.

It was never about money… well, maybe a little. But more than anything, it was about access, community, and people who were willing to open a hangar door and say, “Here—sit down. Let me show you something.”

We need more of that today. Take someone under your wings. Please give them a walk-around. Take them up. Let them feel the controls—feel how they command the aircraft,let them sense the lift under the wings, hear the steady drone of the prop as it pulls them through the sky, and feel the rush of a steep takeoff. Watch their eyes as the ground falls away and the world unfolds in new detail. Let them feel the pride of nailing a landing—and the humility of the rough ones that had to happen first.

Let them feel what you felt. Share the stories that kept you flying all these years. Pass on the torch of true freedom. Inspire the next generation—before this uniquely American tradition fades from our skies and our culture.