Event raises $128,000 for aviation education

VANCOUVER – The Fort Vancouver National Trust raised more than $128,000 on May 20 to benefit aviation education for young people.

More than 200 people attended the “Let’s Take Flight!” event for the Pearson Field Education Center.

Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit’s STEM-based aviation education programs, which introduce students to potential careers in aviation.

The presenting sponsor was Columbia Credit Union. The Boeing Company was the supporting sponsor. The keynote speaker was Jerry McWithey, director of flight operations at Insitu, Inc. The Bingen-based Boeing subsidiary designs, develops and manufactures customized unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Education Center’s programs include aviation summer camps, education resource fairs, open-cockpit day events, school outreach programs and free Saturdays at 201A East Reserve St.

Its Open Cockpit Day on May 27 drew more than 600 people. The Young Eagles Program of EAA Chapter 105 in Hillsboro, Ore., provided free flights to 56 young people.

The center is open on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer; activities include glider building and flight simulation.

For information, visit fortvan.org/AviationEducation or call 360-992-1815.