Giving Opportunity, Preserving Flight
Jim and Angela Thompson's Challenge Grant
Sometimes, all it takes to move forward is a clear path. That’s what fuels Jim and Angela Thompson’s commitment to the future of aviation.
For several years, the Thompsons have taken the initiative to find young people who want to participate in aviation, but can’t afford to. Believing that participation in aviation education and experiences provide a pivotal catalyst in young people’s lives, Jim and Angela have helped youth attend EAA Air Academy and participate through EAA internships.
“[EAA] takes little slices of the aviation experience and rolls it out in a way that a kid can look at it and go, ‘Wow!’” - Jim Thompson
Their support has impacted the lives of many. But, they’ve also encouraged others to join them in providing these opportunities to young people by sharing the stories, hopes and aspirations of these youth with EAA donors and with their own friends. These successful efforts have helped many teenagers achieve their dreams through Air Academy scholarship donations.
In October, the Thompsons announced another donor-enabling idea to further realize their philanthropic goals: a challenge grant commemorating Harrison Ford’s five-year chairmanship of the EAA Young Eagles program. The couple donated $100,000 and challenged EAA’s donor community to match their gift and help establish an ongoing education fund for aspiring achievers to reach their goals. A plan is underway to define how these resources will impact the lives of young people around the country.
Angela and Jim Thompson with former EAA Young Eagles Chairman, Harrison Ford.
Jim and Angela envision the Harrison Ford Education Scholarship fund will help youth at each step along their flight journey, including:
- Support to take the FAA written private pilot’s exam once they complete EAA’s free, online ground school or flight training program (offered to Young Eagles by Sporty’s);
- An opportunity to take a first flying lesson;
- Continued flight training;
- EAA Air Academy attendance, and;
- Continued education in an aviation field.
Jim and Angela believe that working together, we can help grow the aviation leaders, designers, pilots, engineers and innovators of tomorrow.
“Aviation is a big word. There are so many slices of it—science, weather, and the beauty and precision of flight…EAA’s important role is giving youths some modest exposure to it all,” Jim explained. “[EAA] takes little slices of the aviation experience and rolls it out in a way that a kid can look at it and go, ‘Wow!’”
The Thompsons’ commitment to youth stems from their own childhood experiences. Angela’s father worked on helicopter design as a mechanical engineer, and Jim began soloing in gliders at age 14.
“I was one of those kids who wandered around the local airport, looking at airplanes and taking pictures with an old camera I got from my grandmother,” Jim recalled. “I would do anything I could to get close to an airplane.”
When Jim and Angela met, their love for aviation grew as they became even more involved in the world of flight. They joined EAA for the endless opportunities the organization offered to assist future aviators.
“It’s really hard these days for kids to get exposure to aviation,” Angela elaborated. “That’s a shame, because aviation enriches their lives through the people they meet and the experiences they have, as it has enriched ours. Those lessons and experiences are the most important things youth gain from involvement with EAA.”
During AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, the Thompsons had the opportunity to meet with some Air Academy scholars. “EAA has a fabulous program for youth and does a great job with the curriculum. They give kids the opportunity to see all areas of aviation,” Angela said. “Being there and seeing the people who are so excited and interested in aviation, and seeing the world through their eyes…the feeling is hard to put into words.”
Jim and Angela believe that participating in the EAA Air Academy and related flight experiences increases awareness not normally available in a traditional education curriculum. The world has changed dramatically since the days when children could explore local airports, carefree to their surroundings. The Thompsons hope to create an open road for youth to experience aviation, letting EAA’s donors take the lead.
To that end, the couple believes that “giving wings” is about providing opportunities and sharing experiences. It’s about freeing a young person’s thoughts and dreams.
As Jim concluded, “Flying is a free and existential experience, and ‘giving wings’ is about the liberation of dreams.”
Click here to give online to the Harrison Ford Education Scholarship.
Helping Dreams Take Flight
Jim and Angela envision the Harrison Ford Education Scholarship fund will help youth at each step along their flight journey, including:
- Support to take the FAA written private pilot’s exam once they complete EAA’s free, online ground school or flight training program (offered to Young Eagles by Sporty’s);
- An opportunity to take a first flying lesson;
- Continued flight training;
- EAA Air Academy attendance, and;
- Continued education in an aviation field.
