Young Eagles hold summer camp

The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Build and Fly program held a summer camp June 17 at St. Mary’s Airport’s Helwig Field, the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ Patuxent Aeromodelers flying field.

EAA Chapter 478 Vice President Paul Gambacorta welcomed the campers, and each Young Eagle was given an opportunity to build and fly a remote-controlled aircraft led by the expertise of the Patuxent Aeromodelers.

The Aeromodelers also demonstrated flying RC models, up to and including a turbine-powered jet.

Some of the camp activities included construction and the covering of the balsa wood model airplane, passing a simulator test flight of the model, drafting a preflight checklist and finalizing the checkout of the RC model. The campers also completed the FAA TRUST course, attended workshops on building a wing rib and fabricating a cellphone holder. Other activities included a tour of the Maryland State Police Trooper 7 helicopter, airplane rides and a tour of the University of Maryland UAS Research and Development facility.

EAA Chapter 478 leadership discussed the founding of the program last spring and planning meetings were held with the local AMA chapter Patuxent Aeromodelers.

The Young Eagles also took part in a two one-day workshops consisting of building a wing rib, electrical projects, simulator sessions and flying drones, which also helped determine candidates for the camp. Eventually, nine youths ranging in age from 12 to 17 were invited to attend the camp from those attending the workshops, from a local high school with an aviation program, and from the local Civil Air Patrol squadron.