SKKC Weekly Meeting w/ Jim Faix and Ric Romanoff

Teen Aircraft Factory of Manasota, Inc., Jim Faix (Treasurer) jim@brighthouse.com  and Ric Romanoff (VP) of Teen Aircraft of Manasota will speak to our club to tell us all about their one-of-a-kind program helping at risk teens through "building airplanes". 

Teen Aircraft of Manasota is a 501-c3 organization which started in 2015.  Their goals are to positively influence at-risk teens through fostering teamwork, promoting an interest in aviation and building an air-worthy and marketable aircraft. 

The teens range in age from 13-17 with over 100 students participating since the start of the program. The kids are mentored by volunteer local active and retired pilots to build FAA-approved light-sport 2-seat aircraft.  They meet on Saturdays from 9am-noon at the Sarasota Airport. Every 3rd Saturday, volunteer pilots give the students a free airplane ride as part of the Young Eagles Flight program. 

The Teen Aircraft organization focuses on teaching life skills such as attendance, accountability, attention to detail, organization and interaction with adults.  Twenty-five mentors, permanent and seasonal, participate with 8-10 showing up each Saturday.

Money to run the program comes from the sale of the built airplanes and from donations. 

Learn more about this amazing program at teenaircraftfactory.org.

Grant Recipient, Linda Watterworth, children’s First, lwatterworth@childrenfirst.net; Svetlana Ivashchenko, Executive Director  - Children's Guardian Fund Email:  admin@childrensguardianfund.org

1. Meeting Called to Order.   Welcome to the “Mighty” Siesta Key Kiwanis Club
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Introduction of Guests
5. Happy/Sad Dollars & Birthdays   
6. Presidents Announcements
7. Joke for the Week
8. Speaker Intro
9. Speaker
10. 50/50 Drawing
11. Meeting Adjournment