Youth & Aviation Inc.
For over 50 years, the non-profit organization has been attracting highly talented and experienced flight instructors who mentor Milwaukee area youth's interest in aviation. Click on image below to hear of the impact we’re having on area youth.
A testimonial…
A little history…
Youth and Aviation (Y&A) leadership was instrumental in developing a plan to grow Civil Air Patrol (CAP) membership in Milwaukee by finding support for a new facility in which to operate. The non-profit organization became the liaison for CAP and Milwaukee County at Timmerman Airport. It was formed in 1959 and has continually expanded its work throughout the last five decades. Y&A purchased many different aircraft over the years and housed them in the Milwaukee County owned building since construction was completed in 1960.
Y&A developed a Milwaukee County budget proposal in 1960 to help defray much of the new facility costs. The organization was required by the county to maintain a liability insurance policy since building completion. This cost was added to the budget request, as were major furnishings, utilities, and in time, building improvements like hangar insulation, a bi-fold hangar door, gas heaters for the hangar space, a modern HVAC system for the classroom, a whole building emergency generator, safety enhancing materials, as well as most recently in 2018, additional hangar space to safely house all aircraft. Y&A also negotiated with Milwaukee County to operate without cost, WI WING headquarters in Timmerman Control Tower office space. This space was utilized by WI WING until the current Department of Military Affairs space became available 10-15 years ago in Madison. After WI WING moved, the space was retained and has been utilized for WI-086 meetings.
Y&A was conceived by a group of local leaders. The original membership included, the owner of the airport Fixed Base Operation (FBO), the Milwaukee County sheriff, local politicians, teachers, flight instructors, business executives and CAP personnel. The organization acquired and maintained aircraft to be used for pilot safety training as well as CAP and Coast guard missions. Y&A continually recruited area flight instructors and aircraft mechanics to properly train pilots and safely maintain its fleet.
For over fifty years, the county owned facility has regularly been used by the Civil Air Patrol, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign War's and various local flying clubs. Through the years, Y&A financially supported cadet activities such as orientation flights, encampments and recognition flights for special achievement and other milestones in a cadet's CAP experience.
Y&A currently manages the five year lease, coordinates utility payments and secures liability insurance with Milwaukee County. Y&A manages improvements like building painting projects, roof replacement, plumbing, lighting upgrades and electrical work. Regular hangar door maintenance and repair, HVAC work, exterior care and ramp maintenance are also handled by the organization.
Youth and Aviation remains vital to the improving Timmerman Airport environment. Its members lessen the load carried by the WI CAP region and squadron commanders as well as their own members who need to be focused on CAP rules and regulations, mission training and a myriad of other CAP duties and expectations. Support from CAP leadership, the FBO and others who benefit from a thriving community is essential. Together we can go forward with positive steps to promote aviation and the wonder of flight.
Take Action
We are funded primarily by private donors whose contributions maintain our airplanes and facilities