Aviation Explorer Post 8

Pancakes flying off the griddle! K eep your eyes on the road and your appetite pointed toward Billard Airport before 11:30 AM (Eagle Flights until noon). Here's a look at the morning so far... 😄

"Here is something we’ve NEVER done before!"

That's a perfectly exciting sentence from Post 8 and yet a slightly terrifying one from your pilot.

I didn't broadcast this bit about Saturday as to avoid jinxing Saturday's weather, but the pancake final approach is just a day away, and this is something I'd have loved to experience as a kid.

Kids ages 7 to 17 can take a Young Eagles flight, courtesy of Topeka's own EAA chapter #1693 and volunteer pilots! The forecast is looking wonderful (knock on wood!!!), with partly-cloudy skies that I'm hopeful to remain VFR while side-eying the KTOP METAR.

Flights run 8 AM to noon, first-come, first to fly.

While waiting, enjoy pancakes and sausage, meet fellow aviation geeks, watch air traffic on a monitor (or your phone from the Post 8 Spotter Network!), ask lingering aviation geeks how ADS-B works, admire a unique pancake griddle that goes in circles (like our advisors!), argue over what makes planes REALLY fly, make friends with strangers, and what we really want: watch the Scouts scramble pancakes and flip sausages, hopefully not in that order.

Breakfast is an at-will donation benefiting Aviation Explorer Squadron Post 8, America's oldest continuously registered Aviation Explorer Post, serving youth in NE Kansas since 1952. We're 100% volunteer-run, no paid staff, helping young people develop leadership and aviation skills.

If all else fails, they've gained the ability to make one humongous breakfast!!

The new 2026-2027 Aviation Explorers officers were announced today!

If you're not aware, Scouts interview for officer positions with the current youth leadership team, and selections are made by the teens themselves after considering leadership ability, participation, initiative, character, interests, and commitment.

I suggested awarding bonus points for pancake-flipping proficiency and airplane-related dad jokes, but was quickly reminded that the scouts -- not the volunteers -- run this program.

Congratulations to our newly selected officers:

✈️ President: Anna C.
✈️ Vice-President: Caleb M.
✈️ Secretary: Jakob R.
✈️ Flight Operations Officer: Braiden J.
✈️ Flight Safety Officer: Cole H.
✈️ Public Relations Officer: Isaac B.

This year featured a record number of candidates interviewing for officer positions. The Advisors were impressed not only by those selected, but by every scout who stepped forward and demonstrated a willingness to lead. I'm not just saying that to increase my word count. (editor's note: take away his keyboard, pls!) The professionalism and maturity displayed during the interview process made the decisions especially difficult for the scouts.

Over the years, I've heard countless stories about how Post 8 helped young people grow in confidence and leadership. That growth comes from opportunities like these. Post 8 is somewhat unique in that the scouts run the program (not the parents/advisors). Youth leaders guide meetings, organize activities, solve problems, and shape the direction of the Post 8 (with input from 100%-volunteer advisors).

Looking forward to seeing what this new officer team accomplishes in the coming year. Congratulations to all who interviewed, and thank you for your willingness to serve and lead!

And finally, thank you to the parents, guardians, and families who support their youth in Post 8. The scout may be in the spotlight, but every successful young leader usually has family behind them providing encouragement, patience, transportation, and occasionally a reminder that yes, the KTOP airport is on the other side of Topeka. Your support is one of the greatest gifts you can give your teen, and we are grateful for everything you do.

Now where's my pancake apron?