The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1700 in McMinnville is setting a focus on educating the youth about the aviation industry with a new facility.
Chapter President Jerry Lassiter said the chapter was established two years ago after the previous chapter was disbanded. Lassiter said the chapter provides free programs to K-12 students. Lassiter said the chapter’s goal is to create more career paths for young students in Warren County to explore.
“Many of the young people are interested in just the flying part, but they don’t realize how fulfilling and how financially rewarding some of the other areas of aviation are as well,” Lassiter said. “So we know that we don’t always have some of the greatest opportunities for young people in Warren County.”
Lassiter said the chapter teaches students about flying, the administrative side of operating an airport, and an A&P Mechanic (Airframe and Powerplant) program. Lassiter said the chapter will hold a ribbon-cutting Thursday to open a new 10,000 square foot facility located on Old Nashville Highway.
“We are very fortunate,” Lassiter said. “Not many young groups like us get started this well and this quick, so we have started that, and in addition to the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter, we formed another corporation called Aviation Leadership Academy located in that 10,000 square foot building.”
Lassiter said the Aviation Leadership Academy will serve as an education program while the chapter’s current facility will serve as the hands-on facility. Lassiter said the new facility will not be fully ready until 2026-2027.
“The gentleman who had a machine shop in it so we are doing a deep clean on it inside, and so it’s a challenge,” Lassiter said. “There’s lots of work to do before we can bring students in.”
Lassiter said he hopes that with a new facility, the chapter will grow its membership and grow people’s interest in aviation in Warren County.
