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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RDBACE1 (talk | contribs) at 17:11, 20 June 2021 (add shutterfly book cover photo of 2 Project schoolflight planes and Robert D. Blacker. photos are from Blacker family archive of these photos taken in 1957 by Robert D. Blacker- shutter fly book made by uploader using these original photos. own and have full rights to all images uploaded). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Project Schoolflight was a youth outreach program of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) which was jointly co-founded in 1955 by EAA founder Paul Poberezny and Robert D. Blacker (Bob), Director of the Aviation Industrial Arts program at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, Illinois[1][2][3][4][5]

Bob Blacker discovered the plans for the first Schoolflight airplane project in Paul Poberezny's authored series of articles entitled "Build this plane (Baby Ace) for $800, Including Engine" which ran in 3 consecutive monthly issues of 1955 Mechanix Illustrated magazines(MI).[6][7][8]

Blacker contacted Poberezny and procured the Baby Ace plans for his St. Rita program.[9] Poberezny imagined that Blacker's Aviation program at St. Rita High School could provide him with a start to fulfilling one of his lifetime dreams- to have an "airplane building factory"[10] It was from these discussions that both men agreed to co-found Project Schoolflight together.[11][12][13]

The Project Schoolflight program was initially overseen by both men but it grew so quickly that it was required to be administered by the EAA's Air Museum Foundation.

History

In September 1955, Blacker began EAA's first Schoolflight project at St. Rita High School- the build of a Baby Ace airplane later to be christened the "Spirit of Cascia" (Cascia is Patron St. Rita's homeland).[14]

File:Project Schoolflight's 1st Airplane- 1957 "Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace - "Original photo".jpg
Project Schoolflight's 1st Airplane- 1957 "Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace - "Original photo"

The project inspired the students to form the first Junior EAA Membership Chapter in EAA's history - Chapter #39-which included electing their student Officers.[15][16][17] Chapter 39 students volunteered at the EAA Fly-ins in 1957 thru 1960[18] where they helped run the flight competition events.[19][20]

In 1957, the "Spirit of Cascia" was completed as the first Project Schoolflight airplane built. The second airplane completed was the EAA Biplane in 1960.[21][22] In ess than five years, Blacker and students had completed construction of Project Schoolflight's first two airplanes.

At the 1957 EAA Fly-in in Milwaukee, WI., Project Schoolflight plane #1, the "Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace, won an EAA award for "Outstanding Achievement".[23] At 1958's Fly-in, Blacker won the Mechanix Illustrated Trophy for "Outstanding Achievements in Home-Built Aircraft" for his full body of work within Project Schoolflight [24][25] (See MI Trophy Photo on this page).

The EAA Biplane made its debut flight at the 1961 EAA Fly-in in Rockford, IL.. and then it was permanently consigned to the EAA Museum in Franklin, Wisconscin.[26][27] In 1961, the "Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace was sold to a private owner.

In order to integrate Project Schoolflight within EAA's local Chicago membership base, in 1957, Blacker made available his St. Rita High School Shop so that Chicago EAA Chapter #15 could convene their monthly

File:St. Rita Project Schoolflight students under St. Rita Scoreboard- P.S. Planes 1 & 2-1957.jpg
St. Rita Project Schoolflight students under St. Rita Scoreboard- P.S. Planes 1 & 2-1957

meetings at Blacker's St. Rita Aviation Shop.[28] Blacker soon became President of EAA Chapter 15 [29] while continuing to serve as the adult Sponsor/Advisor for the Junior Chapter #39.[30][31][32] In his autobiography, EAA Hall of Fame member, Robert Bushby, states: "I was an early member of EAA Chapter 15, meeting at St. Rita high school when the prototype EAA Biplane was constructed".[33]

In 1959, Blacker and Poberezny both appeared on a local TV show on WMVS-TV in Milwaukee. Blacker explained to the viewing audience how Project Schoolflight works while Poberezny explained EAA activities.[34][35]

Project Schoolflight quickly spread across the USA. Thousands of students became involved in both aviation projects and the aviation industry. Hundreds of airplanes were built in various schools and even several U.S. prisons used Project Schoolflight as an inmate rehabilitation program.[36]

In 1962, due to the project's success, the EAA formalized the establishment of Junior Chapters for the EAA using the following guidelines: 1. Under 19 years of age; 2. Must have an adult Advisor; 3. Must be sponsored by a regular EAA Chapter, etc.[37]

In 1974, Sam Burgess took a four month flying tour covering 48 states. This outreach, flown in an Acro Sport Biplane, was meant to encourage schools to either continue or to create their Project Schoolflight programs by building an Acro Sport, a direct descendant design of the EAA Biplane. Burgess timed his tour so that his final stop would be Oshkosh, Wisconsin. to coincide with the start of the 1974 Fly-in there.[38]

One of the EAA Museum's most prized possessions is the 1903 Wright Flyer replica made by EAA and the Project Schoolflight students at Blackhawk Technical Institute of Janesville, WI. in 1978.

In the summer of 1961, Bob Blacker left St. Rita's High School to work with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Washington DC.[39] Blacker incorporated Project Schoolflight into the U.S. Department of Transportation/FAA guidelines as an approved educational program.[40]

Project Schoolflight started winding down soon after the time of the delivery of the 1903 Wright Flyer to the EAA Museum in 1978. However, the Project's core values still remained within the EAA as it served as a template for EAA's Young Eagles program.

Young Eagles program

In the 2001 Annual Report to EAA Members, Tom Poberenzy, Paul's son and then CEO of EAA, remarked: "As we focus on Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft, we will continue to address our core programs built around homebuilder aircraft education....... the important part of the future is educational outreach programs. They started in 1956 at St. Rita High School with [Project Schoolflight...by Robert Blacker] and his students. That was a showcase initiative that touched a few kids deeply, but we wanted to do more".[41]

Due to EAA's policies regarding youth education, many prominent educational institutions and educators visited EAA Headquarters for observation and study of the Schoolflight program.[42][43] In 1992, Tom Poberezny founded the EAA's Young Eagles program. This program would give youngsters their first flight in a light airplane. The Young Eagles program would serve to transition EAA from homebuilding planes in Project Schoolflight over to introducing youngsters to flying and encouraging them to become pilots.

File:EAA's Mechanix Illustrated Trophy Awarded to Bob Blacker -1958 for "Project Schoolflight ".jpg
EAA's Mechanix Illustrated Trophy Awarded to Bob Blacker 1958 for "Project Schoolflight "

References

  1. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 5. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  2. ^ Poberezny, Paul (April 1980). "The Homebuilders Corner". Sport Aviation. April Issue – via EAA.org. EAA Project Schoolflight is an educational aircraft building program that got its start back in 1954 when school teacher Bob Blacker of St. Rita High School and his students built a Baby Ace airplane and later in 1959 then built the EAA Biplane which now sets in the EAA museum....
  3. ^ Blacker, Robert D (April 1958). "One High Schools Aviation Training Program". Sport Aviation. April Issue: 11 – via eaa.org.
  4. ^ Blacker, Robert D (June 1959). "How EAA Can Further Aviation Education". Sport Aviation. June Issue: 18–19 – via eaa.org.
  5. ^ Blacker, Robert D (March 1956). "A Place for Amateur Built Aircraft in Aviation". Sport Aviation. June Issue: 4–5 – via eaa.org.
  6. ^ Poberezny, Paul (October 1958). "Mechanix Illustrated Trophy goes to Bob Blacker". Sport Aviation. October: 23 – via EAA.org. Back in the summer of 1955, Blacker came across the plans for the Baby Ace, published in Mechanix Illustrated magazine and decided it would be just the project he needed to create interest in his aeronautical class at St. Rita High School. So work was started in September of 1955.
  7. ^ Poberezny, Bonnie (1996). Poberezny : the story begins--. Chuck Parnall (Signature ed.). Oshkosh, Wis.: Red One Pub. p. 305. ISBN 0-9655654-0-8. OCLC 36703839.
  8. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 5. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  9. ^ Poberezny, Paul (March 1990). "Reprint of Build the Baby Ace- see:Auth. note P. 23" (PDF). Sport Aviation. March Issue: 23. Author Note: "The MI article had a great impact on the development of the fledgling EAA then some two years old. Interest in building the Baby Ace was high. Drawings were furnished at no cost to EAA'er Bob Blacker, head of St. Rita High school Industrial Arts Program in Chicago, Illinois. to become the first EAA Project Schoolflight airplane.. It was completed in record time and appeared in our early Fly-ins. Most students, as a result of that project, attained careers in aviation and Bob Blacker went on to a career with the FAA.
  10. ^ Poberezny, Bonnie (1996). Poberezny : the story begins--. Chuck Parnall (Signature ed.). Oshkosh, Wis.: Red One Pub. p. 274. ISBN 0-9655654-0-8. OCLC 36703839. " But it wasn't always GUARD or EAA business that occupied Paul's mind. He still dreamt about one day owning his own airplane factory".
  11. ^ Blacker, Bob (March 1983). "Schoolflight- It really works". Sport Aviation mag. March Issue: 62 – via EAA.org.
  12. ^ Owen, Ben (March 1983). "Schoolflight - It really Works". Sport Aviation. March Issue: 62 – via eaa.org.
  13. ^ Poberezny, Bonnie (1996). Poberezny : the story begins--. Chuck Parnall (Signature ed.). Oshkosh, Wis.: Red One Pub. pp. 329–330. ISBN 0-9655654-0-8. OCLC 36703839.
  14. ^ EAA (2018-01-04). "From a Baby Ace to a Tri-Motor". Hangar Flying. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  15. ^ Schmid, Julie (March 1958). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. March Issue: 36 – via eaa.org.
  16. ^ Schmid, Julie (December 1957). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. December Issue: 24 – via eaa.org.
  17. ^ Poberenzy, Paul (October 1958). "Mechanix Illustrated Trophy goes to Bob Blacker". Sport Aviation. October: 23 – via EAA.org. The St. Rita boys decided last fall to create a Junior Chapter and with Blacker's guidance it was soon operating and in February of this year EAA's Board of Directors proudly presented the Chapter Charter to the boys- the business like, efficient conduct of the meeting made a profound impression on the Board
  18. ^ Scholler, Ray (October 1958). "1958 Fly-In Report". Sport Aviation. October Issue – via EAA.org. " Registration of incoming Homebuilts was handled very efficiently by the boys from EAA's Junior Chapter 39, St. Rita High School under the direction of their instructor Robert Blacker. "Blacker's Boys" were also responsible for planning and executing the flight contests.
  19. ^ Project, Schoolflight (September 2002). "Project Schoolflight". Sport Aviation. September Issue: 62 – via eaa.org.
  20. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 17. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  21. ^ Kohn, Leo J (November 1962). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. November Issue: 44 – via eaa.org.
  22. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 22. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  23. ^ Schmid, Julie (October 1957). "Youth Takes a Trophy". Sport Aviation. October: 13 – via EAA.org. Proof that youth has a place in aircraft homebuilding was demonstrated at 5th Fly-in when a St. Rita HS project won an Outstanding Achievement award....The students couldn't have had a more qualified instructor,, as Blacker, a former B-29 Flight engineer is also a licensed commercial and private pilot, a licensed CAA Mechanic, and government inspector....educational achievements in building this Baby Ace are incomparable, says Bob Blacker
  24. ^ Duane, Cole (1972). This is EAA. Milwaukee WI: Ken Cook TransNational. pp. P 60.
  25. ^ Poberenzy, Paul (October 1958). "Mechanix Illustrated Trophy goes to Bob Blacker". Sport Aviation. October Issue: 23 – via EAA.org. Mechanix Illustrated Trophy goes to Bob Blacker
  26. ^ Poberezny, Paul (April 1980). "The Homebuilders Corner". Sport Aviation. April Issue – via EAA.org.
  27. ^ Poberezny, Paul (November 1965). "The Homebuilders Corner". Sport Aviation. November Issue – via eaa.org.
  28. ^ Schmid, Julie (December 1958). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. December Issue: 32 – via EAA.org.
  29. ^ Schmid, Julie (December 1958). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. December Issue: 32 – via EAA.org.
  30. ^ Kohn, Leo J (November 1962). "Chatting with The Chapters". Sport Aviation. November Issue: 44 – via eaa.org.
  31. ^ Poberezny, Paul (June 1961). "The Homebuilders Corner". Sport Aviation. June Issue – via eaa.org.
  32. ^ Poberezny, Paul (May 1959). "Chapter List #39-St. Rita Junior Chapter". Sport Aviation. May Issue: 32 – via eaa.org.
  33. ^ Bushby, Wesley (2018-10-14). "My NW Indiana and More: My Dad - Robert Wesley Bushby". My NW Indiana and More. Retrieved 2021-06-05. @ paragraph # 11 of autobiography contained herein{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ Poberezny, Paul (June 1959). "The Homebuilders Corner". Sport Aviation. June 1959: 30 – via eaa.org.
  35. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 15. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  36. ^ Jones, Mel R (January 1961). "EAA Schoolflight helps Students put Wings on Dreams". Sport Aviation. January: 54 – via Eaa.org. ...Today, Project Schoolflight comprises nearly 400 airplanes......at more than 300 schools.....with about 50 new projects each year.....more than 1,100 serve as "Tech Rep" volunteers...and 10 U.S. prisons use the project as inmate rehabilitation...
  37. ^ Kohn, Leo J (November 1962). "Chatting with the Chapters". Sport Aviation. November Issue: 44 – via EAA.org.
  38. ^ Lande, D. A. (2002). Oshkosh, gateway to aviation : 50 years of EAA fly-ins. Experimental Aircraft Association. Oshkosh, Wis.: Experimental Aircraft Association. p. 76. ISBN 1-58932-005-0. OCLC 51218270.
  39. ^ Schmid, Julie (July 1961). "What Our Members are Doing". Sport Aviation. July Issue: 8 – via eaa.org.
  40. ^ Poberenzy, Paul (November 1980). "Hotline from Headquarters". Sport Aviation. November Issue: 8 – via EAA.org.
  41. ^ Poberezny, Tom (October 2001). "meeting minutes of 2001 annual report to members". Sport Aviation. October Issue: 86 – via eaa.org Sport Aviation archives.
  42. ^ Poberezney, Paul (July 1959). "Your Guide to the 1959 Fly-in". Sport Aviation. July Issue: 17 – via EAA.org. Moderator will be Carl Guell of Wisconsin State Aeronautical Commission.....Bob Blacker will present his views.....
  43. ^ Cole, Duane (1972). This is EAA. Milwaukee Wi: Ken Cook Transnational. p. 189. ......United States Office of Education,..... American Vocational Association,......American Industrial Arts Association,......Air and Space Division of Smithsonian Institute.
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