By Brigid Curtis Ayer
Noblesville— The Cupertino Aviation Club takes flight and faith to new levels as it expands its scope in a club relaunch effort this fall.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioner, Tom Beckenbauer, founder and president of the Catholic Aviation Association, said the local Cupertino Aviation Club, allows him to combine his passion for flying and his Catholic faith. “It’s a way that I can pass on all that God has given me to others.”
The club’s namesake, Saint Joseph of Cupertino, the patron saint of aviation, frequently levitated when he would pray, or when offering the Eucharistic prayers during Mass.
“Initially, we thought providing aviation opportunities through the area Catholic schools would be the best model to share our gifts and talents,” said Beckenbauer, who is a licensed pilot and soon to be a licensed glider instructor. “The club was offered exclusively through Guerin Catholic High School for about three years.”
However, through prayer, Beckenbauer sensed God had a different plan on how they could expand the club and reach a larger audience. “I thought we could do a better job evangelizing by offering the club beyond Catholic school members. Being a Catholic is not even a requirement for membership, but our faith will be an integral part of the club while the youth learn about aviation,” said Beckenbauer.
For the past several months, Beckenbauer has spent many hours flying and training to become a licensed glider pilot instructor, which he’s expecting to accomplish before the end of the year.
Beckenbauer learned about flying from his father, and joined the Navy to become a flight officer. He served as a Navy JROTC program manager and naval science instructor. After retiring from the Navy, Beckenbauer became a flight operations manager for FedEx, which allowed him to finally become a pilot.
Members of the Cupertino Aviation Club will be able to participate in a variety of activities, which include learning about all aspects of aviation, building models, and flying radio control planes. Beckenbauer is in the process of developing a basic flight training program, utilizing a Modern American Primary Glider (MAP-G), to provide youth with an entry level introduction to flying.
Beyond leaning about aviation, Beckenbauer says there are many life lessons he hopes to impart to the youth through the Cupertino Aviation Club. The club offers three main components: social, aviation education, and personal development. Beckenbauer has designated Westfield airfield as the home base for the group to gather and his target age group for club members spans junior and senior high school students.
Rob Morris, a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and an aviation enthusiast, has worked with Beckenbauer for several years to foster an interest in aviation and a love for the Catholic faith among young people through the Cupertino Aviation Club.
Morris, who serves as the club’s recruiter, greeted families and youth interested in taking a free plane ride offered by the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) in Noblesville. The EAA members and pilots, who have access to a small airstrip in Noblesville, and a hanger with their own planes, periodically offer these opportunities. In addition to being pilots, many of the EEA members that fly, also are licensed flight instructors. They educate and inform their passengers, and give them a taste of what it’s like to ride and fly a plane.
A free plane ride opportunity for families was promoted in the Carmel Deanery parishes bulletins this past summer as a way to encourage exposure for the Cupertino club’s relaunch efforts and to recruit new members to the club said Morris.
“It was a really fun day out at the Noblesville air strip. We had perfect flying weather. Thirty-five flew and roughly 60 people attended the event,” said Morris.
William Svec, 13 of St. Maria Goretti Parish, who had a chance to fly for the first time, said, “It was less scary than thought it would be. It was a very calm, peaceful and fun.” He said he would “definitely do it again.” Svec was invited to the plane ride when his grandmother saw a blurb in the St. Maria Goretti bulletin where they attend Mass.
“William just celebrated his 13th birthday, and I thought going for a plane ride would be a unique and interesting birthday gift,” she said. Under the supervision and instruction of the pilot, those who ride in the planes are given the opportunity to steer and fly the plane if they choose.
“I am hopeful we get a big turn-out for our new club launch this fall,” said Beckenbauer. “We have a lot of exciting activities planned for the youth.”
To learn more about the Cupertino Aviation Club go to www.CupertinoClubs.org, follow on Facebook at Cupertino-Aviation-Clubs or Text CAC to 84576 to receive updates on Cupertino Aviation Club developments.