Sky Flight (Skagit Youth Flight) is a chapter-sponsored project to introduce local high school students to what it takes to build and maintain aircraft. The goal is to make a flyable Cessna 150 out of two donor airplanes. The students will do most of the work, with assistance and supervision from members of Chapter 818 and some local A&P technicians.
Sky Flight meets every Thursday evening at 6 pm at the Skagit Regional Airport, hangar 400 on the south side of the field. From Highway 20, take Higgins Airport Way north, turn left at the sign for the Heritage Flight Museum, then look for the Sky Flight sign on the right. New students and parents are welcome–just show up to the next work session. Or you can contact Dan Holden (tail_wheel@hotmail.com) or Jay Findlay (jayfindlay@aol.com) for more info.
Here’s a video that gives an overview of the program, with observations from the students and their chapter mentors.
We need donations to help cover the costs of materials and services needed to make the airplane airworthy–things like engine parts, crankshaft inspections and a new prop. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible cash donation, just click on the button below. Or if you have something we could sell for cash, please contact Dan Holden. Chapter 818 is a 501(c)(3) organization, so all contributions are tax deductible.
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Project Status Updates
- Work in progress/April 2026
April 16: Riveting on the tail of the Hummel H5 was done by Mia, Roberto and Enrique.
The connecting rods were assembled to the crankshaft by Alley.
Carter flushed the radiator.April 23: Mia, Roberto and Enrique continued to work on the tail of the Hummel.
A discussion by mentors and participants ensued to determine the starboard and port of the engine case halves. Alley then could continue his work on the crankshaft.April 30: Cali and her guest, Jasmine, measured a bolt and it was discovered that the flaperon must be torn out re-riveted and placed correctly on the Zenith 701. Jasmine made a new bracket for the Zenith 701
Carter tested the clutch for torque. A borescope was used to examine the clutch. - End of the Year 2025 Work in Progress
It was great to see how much work has been done in Hangar 400. The RV has wings, and the engine has been started. Etienne attached the nut plates for the light mounts. Ali received instructions about bleeding the lines of any air and how to put in the oil.
The RV has wings Moving on to the Cessna, Eli identified what is needed on the instrument panel and began to create a template that will be used to make a new one. Etienne installed an antenna.
SkY Flight continues to hold the interest of both new and experienced builders.
- September/October 2025 Work in Progress
Hangar 400 has been continually filled with enthusiasm while working on the RV. The faring on the vertical stabilizer has been installed. The “tail feathers” have been sanded. The vertical stabilizer and the elevators have been attached to the rudder. The amount of tension needed to the wires for the elevator cables needed to be researched. The seat ramp cover was removed to tension the rudder. Trouble shooting was needed to fix a problem with the radio. The correct safety clips for the tension cables were ordered. Measurements were taken of the Adell clamp to adhere wire to the tail.
