TOPEKA, Kansas (WIBW) – Aviation Explorer Post 8 held its annual open house on Saturday.
“I like to say we are the best-kept secret in Topeka,” said Post 8 consultant Ivan Gutschke.
Children had the opportunity to learn more about the path to becoming a pilot.
“It gives the kids the opportunity to watch it without having to fully commit to it or be financially tied to it,” Gutschke said.
At the “Open Day”, children between the ages of 14 and 16 were invited to fly with pilots for free and learn more about obtaining a pilot’s license.
Post 8 is proud to help people get started in their careers.
“We are not an end, we are definitely the door to a path,” said Gutschke.
Scouts at Post 8 attend ground school and take flight lessons weekly to continue their training.
The possibilities for posting are endless.
“In my opinion, this organization offers opportunities that are not available anywhere else,” Gutschke said. “I mean, it’s special.”
Sayer Taggart, president of Post 8, is happy when aspiring pilots share the same love of airplanes as he does.
“It’s great when people become pilots because flying is the best thing I know,” Taggart said. “I mean, it’s indescribable when you fly for the first time, when you get in the air. It’s a feeling I can’t really describe, but it’s just awesome.”
Events like this are important for the development of the position and the organization.
Taggart and others believe this place can be significant if given the chance.
“If you can really get up close and look at the aircraft and see how tangible it really is, I think a lot of people would really appreciate and recognize that,” Taggart said.
“This is the greatest opportunity here, we can show them the world,” said Gutschke.
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