EAA to bring in helicopter for pancake breakfast

A pancake breakfast at Harry Clever Airport in New Philadelphia will help to raise funds for the local 1077 chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. The day will see a visit from a fully operational and loaded Vietnam-era helicopter gunship, a Huey UM-1H. The Sept. 3 breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. and wrap up at 1:30 p.m. with pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee for $8.

“The EAA began just after World War II and is all over the world,” pilot Mark Mathias of the local EAA said. “Our chapter is one of the most active in the country with a lot of pilots here. We are actively looking for people who want to learn to fly, and that’s an important thing. We need thousands more pilots in the coming years in our country. Once people really begin to move again post-COVID, there will be a tremendous need for pilots, air traffic controllers and mechanics. We in the EAA and certainly here at Harry Clever Airport have dedicated ourselves to helping that situation.”

As a nonprofit organization, EAA Chapter 1077 cannot keep the money it raises. “So we move that money through in the form of scholarships and educational programs. To get a simple recreational pilot’s license costs $13,000, well beyond what most families can afford. We try to help with that in any way we can,” Mathias said.

Money is only one obstacle; not everyone is cut out for flight.

“You need someone who has a good grip of the sciences, as well as the ability to handle the stress that comes with flying an aircraft. Of the small percentage of people who even consider getting a license, many of them will try and fail for one reason or another. We are always looking for young people who are prepared to learn and succeed, and we want to encourage that,” Mathias said.

At pancake breakfasts in the spring and fall, the local EAA brings in historic aircraft for people to tour and see up close.

“We are bringing in Vietnam War-era aircraft now,” Mathias said. “In the spring we are planning to bring in a big C-123 transport carrier. We also bring in many planes from World War II. They’re historically interesting, and people like to see them. That helps us raise the funds for our main mission of helping get new pilots into the air.”

The Huey helicopter that will be available for tours at the Sept. 3 breakfast is fully equipped and operational, and the pilot will be available to answer questions. The helicopter began development in the 1950s as the military sought a craft that could handle medical and evacuation duties in the coming years. The craft first saw action in Vietnam in 1962, carrying grenade launchers, machine guns and rockets.

Another treat for visitors will be a copy of the plane in which John Glenn learned to fly. The pilot, astronaut and United States senator earned his first wings in New Philadelphia at the then-named Harry Clever Field.

“It’s being assembled now and should be ready to go then,” Mathias said. “The U.S. government is allowing us to use the same tail fin number assigned to that plane. The plane will either remain at Harry Clever Airport or may be displayed at a larger airport, like perhaps Cleveland.”

New Philadelphia has a tight association with flight, even beyond John Glenn. “In the 1930s when it looked like war was coming, the government designated Harry Clever Field as a military airfield. They felt they would need plenty of places with space to land aircraft if needed. We also have on display a copy of the original Wright Flyer,” Mathias said.

Learn more about flight at www.eaa.org. Harry Clever Airport is at 1802 E. High Ave. in New Philadelphia.