Pancakes feeds hunger for aviation as EAA reaches out to youth

From pancakes to plane rides, who could say no to the chance to soar, reaching new heights that others only dream of? On Saturday, September 13, Chapter 252, a nonprofit organization aligned with EEA dedicated to growing participation in aviation in the Oshkosh community, hosted a Pancake Breakfast & Young Eagle Rally at Wittman Regional Airport. 

At the event, attendees enjoyed an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, sausages, and eggs, with proceeds supporting EAA’s aviation programs. The event also featured the Young Eagles program, which offered free flights to youths aged 8-17. These flights were made possible by local EAA members who volunteered their time, aircraft, and expertise to provide the next generation with a unique and memorable introduction to aviation.

Chair of the breakfast committee for EAA Chapter 252, Ann Krueger, has been a member for about two years. Krueger and her daughter, seeking a community in aviation, found connection through the chapter.

“We attended a breakfast, where we found out that they really needed somebody to take over running the breakfast – so we stepped up,” she said. “My daughter actually co-chairs with me, and we get to do it together.” 

This fall marks the fourth breakfast the two have organized. The event is held twice a year—once in spring and once in fall—and the breakfast has grown into a community outreach program, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. Alongside the program, Krueger works hard to provide a variety of family-friendly activities.

“We invited Oshkosh Fire with their airport fire vehicles, as well as Jaimie Pittman from Discover Flight, and the three different airplanes that he brought to tour,” she said. “We also have Women in Aviation—a great group—who brings baked goods and cookies. They happily talk to any girls that are interested in aviation and answer a lot of questions.”

Krueger emphasized that the event isn't just about aviation—it’s also a gateway into STEM fields.

“Anybody who’s really wanting to look at aviation knows that it isn’t just flying a plane, it’s the science behind it—it’s the physics, the engineering,” she said. “To anyone who has any sort of interest in mathematics, science, or engineering, I would highly recommend this event, because something that you’re going to see here or someone that you’re going to talk to is going to be able to broaden that interest.”

Events like these take careful planning, and considerable effort, none of which would be possible without the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time. Among them was Jamie Pittman, who fell in love with flying around the age of 13 and who now runs his own business of eight years, Discover Flight.

“Flying is the best feeling of total autonomy that you can have, because it’s an escape, in the sense that the only thing that matters is what you’re doing in that moment in the airplane,” he said. “So it’s a lot of responsibility, but in a non-traditional way. It’s very freeing in that sense.”

Liam Lewandowski, one of the many kids who attended the Young Eagles Rally with his family, felt nervous flying in a plane for the first time, but soon realized there was nothing to be afraid of. 

“Once you go up, you’re kind of scared, but then you’ll get used to it,” he said.

Pittman feels the fear doesn’t come from being in the air but rather the risk that comes with flying.

“You’re not afraid of heights, you’re afraid of falling.”

Events like these are a great way for visitors to learn more about aviation, become involved in their community, and be introduced to new experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. Director of the Young Eagles program, David Leiting, emphasizes the value events like this bring. 

“Any opportunity to bring the community together as a group in a setting that is a bit unique, such as the airport, is a great way to expose local folks to the resources that exist right in their own backyard,” he said.

by Barakat Akinyele

photo by Zoey Johnson 

Published October 6, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue I