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Stoking the Romance of Aviation

** CAP Seminole Composite Squadron Cadets
Gibson Eads, Nolan Eads, Luka Jurkovic,
Nick Owen and Aaron Stalnaker hard at
work bringing the SNF Fire Hub to life.**
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) launched a fundraising initiative to build 50 "Fire Hubs" across the U.S. to preserve recreational airstrips and provide gathering spots for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
  • The first Fire Hub was constructed at the Sun 'n Fun campgrounds by five Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadets who volunteered their spring break for the extensive manual labor.
  • The project was a rapid, collaborative effort, involving design modifications by aviator and general contractor Bill Lowery to ensure durability and manufacturability for future hubs.
  • Sponsored by AOPA, these Fire Hubs allow supporters to purchase engraved bricks and are intended to serve as communal spaces for the aviation community to share stories.
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When CAP Seminole Composite Squadron Deputy Cmdr. Kenny Eads asked a group of five Cadets to volunteer for a unique mission, it caught on like wildfire. The assignment: build the first ever Fire Hub on the Sun ‘n Fun campgrounds.

Eads explained to the young men that it would be the first of 50 Fire Hubs planned to be installed across the United States as part of the Recreational Aviation Foundation‘s latest fundraising initiative to help support the organization’s mission to “preserve, protect, maintain and create recreational airstrips across the country.” People would be able to show their support of the effort by purchasing a brick that they could have their name, n-number or even a dedication engraved on before setting it into the Hub. Even more important, though, was the hope that the Fire Hubs would attract pilots and aviation enthusiasts by giving them a common place to gather at the end of the day to share their stories.

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