George Taylor Endowed Scholarship
George, Janette, Heather, Mark, Trip, Leo and Michelle
What is the golden rule in the Taylor family, set in place by dad George Taylor? You have to learn to fly before you can learn to drive, of course. Mark, Leo and Michelle all soloed on their 16th birthdays.
Growing up under George’s love and devotion to aviation is what inspired his children and wife to give him the gift of a lifetime for his 70th birthday – a surprise party in the hangar of the Tennessee Museum of History in Sevierville, Tenn.
As George is not an easy man to fool, keeping the party a surprise was a feat itself. Heather led the Taylor family in contriving an elaborate rouse to keep it under wraps: they told their father they were going to take him out for a fancy birthday dinner, complete with a personalized chef (French “Chef Jacque” as they called him!) to cook him anything he wanted. Janie agreed to underwrite the cost of the party, Michelle was the official photographer and Leo and grandsons Drew and Alex arranged the music.
“They planned it down to the detail,” said George. “When I said I would like pheasant, Mark told me Jacque suggested quail, since pheasant was not in season. I completely believed him.”
The day of the party, George’s wife Janie suggested he fly her and Trip to Sevierville, where they would meet up with Mark, Leo and Michelle. Their arrival was quite early, so Trip suggested that his Dad practice flying a holding pattern while the over 70 guests took their places. Upon landing, Mark suggested they tour the museum before heading off to dinner. With their father in tow, his two sons led him to the hangar for the surprise of his life.
When the door opened, everyone began singing “Happy Birthday” in unison. “Dad’s face was priceless,” said Heather. “What was unbelievable to me was that he was truly surprised and that no one spilled the beans!”
As George looked around the room, he quickly realized that family, many relatives and friends were present from as far back in time as his grade-school years, and from as far away as Florida, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. “It took me a second to realize that I knew all those people!” said George. He was particularly surprised to see his brother Jim, his sisters Chris and Nubby and his long-lost cousin Reb.
Immediately after the big surprise, the hangar doors opened and everyone was ushered outside for a second surprise: several low-pass flyovers by a P-47 Thunderbolt.
After the party was over, it was time to open gifts. But, what do you give a man who already has everything? You help him to give wings to the future of aviation.
Instead of traditional gifts, the Taylor family invited guests to give a contribution to the creation of an EAA scholarship in their father’s name. They wanted to give him a gift he’d appreciate while also making a difference in the lives of others. “Everyone recognized Dad’s passion and they wanted to contribute to that,” said Mark.
After all the generous donations were given by the guests, George and Janie decided to double the scholarship’s impact by matching the compiled gift amount. “We want the scholarship to support people learning to fly – someone who has the willingness and the ability, but doesn’t have the means,” explained Trip.
George has always inspired future generations of flyers, consistently taking time out of his schedule to take friends and pilots-in-training up in the air to experience the adventure that is aviation. He understands the importance of giving wings to the future, since technology in the aviation field has advanced so rapidly in recent years. “Older guys are having a hard time adapting to the new technology,” he said. “A kid doesn’t have any trouble though.”
The Taylor family wanted to find a way to open future generations’ eyes to the possibility of aviation – not only as enjoyment, but also a career option. “It’s not just an ordinary job,” said Trip, who is a captain for SATSair. “It’s an extraordinary job. I’m hoping this scholarship will leave someone a burning desire to fly for a living and live their dream.”
Their commitment to aviation for generations will live on through their scholarship, honoring both the field and their father for years to come.
“If kids get that opportunity to fly,” started George, “they get really excited and want to find a way to keep doing it. Our goal is to get them interested and help them along the way.”
Trip Taylor
“We want the scholarship to support people learning to fly – someone who has the willingness and the ability, but doesn’t have the means."