The Palm Springs Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association proudly serves the greater Palm Springs area. The Chapter’s active program supports Air Force members of all ranks and grades, addresses Air Force issues in advancing aerospace technology and professional and personnel issues, and reaches out to the Coachella Valley community. Thank You!
Today we want to congratulate EAA and the thousands of volunteer pilots, chapter members, and supporters who have reached an extraordinary milestone: 2.5 million Young Eagles flights. Since 1992, the Young Eagles program has introduced millions of young people to the wonder of flight, often sparking a lifelong interest in aviation and aerospace.
Here in the Coachella Valley, we’re especially proud of our friends at EAA Chapter 1116, who conduct Young Eagles rallies almost every month, giving local young people the opportunity to experience their very first flight in a general aviation aircraft. Their dedication has made a lasting difference in our community.
As Frank Brabec, President of EAA Chapter 1116, recently wrote in the chapter newsletter, aviation needs more than pilots. It needs mechanics, technicians, engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and many other talented people who will design, build, maintain, and protect the aircraft and systems of tomorrow. That vision closely aligns with the work our Chapter is already doing through Cyber Education and the Air & Space Forces Association’s CyberPatriot program.
We are excited about the growing relationship between AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 and EAA Chapter 1116. Together, we have an opportunity to inspire young people, introduce them to aviation, and help them discover the many career paths available throughout aerospace and the Air and Space Forces.
Congratulations again to EAA, EAA Chapter 1116, and every volunteer who has helped make Mission 2.5 such a remarkable success. We look forward to working together to inspire the next generation.
What does a remarkable airplane at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh have to do with the future of AFA Palm Springs? More than you might think.
As another record-breaking EAA AirVenture Oshkosh comes to a close, more than 734,000 people attended the world’s largest annual aviation gathering. More than 10,000 aircraft, 1,600 forums and workshops, 1,021 exhibitors, 6,000 volunteers, and an estimated $257 million economic impact made AirVenture 2026 another extraordinary success. From vintage aircraft and warbirds to military aviation, homebuilt airplanes, aerospace innovation, education, and the future of flight, Oshkosh remains unlike any other aviation event in the world.
Among the aircraft attracting attention this year was the remarkable Gee Bee QED, a modern recreation of the famous 1934 cross-country racer. It is an extraordinary aircraft, powered by a 1,425 horsepower radial engine and built as a faithful recreation of one of aviation’s most recognizable racing airplanes.
As impressive as the airplane is, the most compelling story surrounding it isn’t found in its performance specifications. It’s found in the people working around it.
In an interview at Oshkosh, Kelly Mahon, Director of Operations for the Mid America Flight Museum, explained that while preserving aviation history and honoring veterans remain central to the museum’s mission, another equally important mission is mentoring young people. High school students were invited into the restoration shop to learn, contribute, and become part of the project. One of those students later attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed engineering work that directly contributed to the aircraft.
One story stood out in particular. A mother initially became involved simply by bringing baked goods to the restoration team while her daughters participated. Her interest grew into a passion for aviation, and she eventually earned her Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate and became a member of the restoration team herself.
Mahon also challenged one of aviation’s most common assumptions. While much of the conversation focuses on a shortage of pilots, he argues that aviation has an equally urgent need for aircraft mechanics, technicians, engineers, and other skilled professionals who will build, maintain, and advance the aircraft of tomorrow.
His message was both simple and compelling:
“We’ve got to get them to the airport, and we’ve got to get them excited.”
Those ideas reinforce an important opportunity for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.
The Air & Space Forces Association has always been committed to supporting Airmen, Guardians, veterans, and aerospace education. As our Chapter continues to expand its Cyber Education initiatives, we also recognize that aviation itself remains an essential part of inspiring the next generation. Through growing relationships with organizations such as EAA Chapter 1116, Young Eagles, Civil Air Patrol, College of the Desert, local schools, and other STEM partners, we have an opportunity to introduce young people to aviation, aerospace, engineering, aircraft maintenance, cybersecurity, military service, and many of the careers that support our nation’s Air and Space Forces.
The future of aerospace depends on far more than pilots. It depends on the people who design, build, maintain, protect, and innovate the technologies that make flight possible.
Aviation has always inspired people to look beyond the horizon. The challenge today is making sure the next generation has the opportunity to discover that same inspiration. Whether that journey leads to the cockpit, the maintenance hangar, an engineering laboratory, a cyber operations center, or military service, it begins by giving young people the chance to experience aviation firsthand.
That is why aviation outreach remains an important part of the mission of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.
We encourage you to watch Kelly Mahon’s interview. The Gee Bee QED is a remarkable airplane, but the ideas behind the project may be even more inspiring.
Introducing young people to the experience of flight. AFA Palm Springs is developing a growing relationship with EAA Chapter 1116 at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, California, supporting common interests in aviation, education, and opportunities for young people.
With all of our recent discussion about Cyber Camp and our Cyber Education programs, at the last Air Commandos lunch, our member Lee Cohen asked a very insightful question: What are we doing in the area of flying, specifically introducing young people to flying?
That question actually takes us back approximately three years.
At one of our Air Commandos lunches, I brought up the idea that AFA Palm Springs should become involved with our local EAA Chapter 1116 at Thermal Airport. I already knew they were successfully operating the EAA Young Eagles program locally and flying approximately 20 to 40 or more young people each month.
For our members who may not be familiar with EAA, it is the Experimental Aircraft Association, founded in 1953, an international aviation organization with a strong grassroots network of local chapters. Its members include pilots, aircraft builders and restorers, aviation enthusiasts, and people who simply share an interest in airplanes and flying.
One of EAA’s most significant youth programs is Young Eagles.
Launched in 1992, Young Eagles was created specifically to introduce young people ages 8 through 17 to aviation by giving them a free introductory flight in an airplane. Those flights are provided through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. EAA describes the mission of the program very simply: introducing and inspiring young people in the world of aviation.
And the numbers demonstrate just how extraordinary that effort has become.
As of today, July 21, 2026, EAA Young Eagles has flown 2,500,246 young people. That number continues to grow as Young Eagles flights take place across the country.
The experience also does not necessarily end when the airplane lands. EAA provides Young Eagles with opportunities to continue exploring aviation, including free EAA student membership and access to additional learn-to-fly resources.
Now bring that forward to today.
What we first discussed approximately three years ago has developed into a growing relationship between AFA Palm Springs and EAA Chapter 1116 at Jacqueline Cochran Airport in Thermal. We are now actively working on a framework through which our two organizations can support our common interests and missions.
And there is already a very tangible connection between our organizations. Frank Brabec, President of EAA Chapter 1116, is now Vice President of AFA Palm Springs.
This is no longer simply an idea about two aviation organizations finding something they might do together. There is already a relationship, and now we are working on determining what that relationship can become.
Cyber Education introduces young people to one increasingly important part of the future of the Air and Space Forces. Young Eagles can introduce them to something much more fundamental: getting into an airplane and actually experiencing flight.
Those two things fit very naturally within what AFA Palm Springs should be doing with young people.
So Lee’s insightful question, “With everything we are doing in Cyber, what are we doing about flying?” already has the beginnings of an answer.
Something has been developing, and now AFA Palm Springs and EAA Chapter 1116 are working together to determine where we can take it next.
