With local interest and investments in aviation taking flight, Bristowans descended upon the airport, on Saturday, in hopes of lifting Bristow’s EAA chapter to new heights. The organization held its first fly in, car show, and pancake breakfast fundraiser, raising $1,700 in support of its rising Young Eagles program.
Following the establishment and ascension of Bristow’s EAA chapter, # 1709, in December 2024, community interested in flight soared. With numerous young people immediately benefitting from the program, the need for additional funds and program expansion quickly became clear, leading to fundraising efforts such as the pancake breakfast, fly in, and car show last weekend.
Lou Malinchak, pilot and flight instructor, performs integral roles within the chapter, aviation community, and airport. In those capacities, he helped organize and promote the fundraiser as well as en- suring the Young Eagles program successfully launched; however, he denied credit for himself and extensively noted the contributions of all those who coordinated efforts and volunteered their time, skills, and expertise to the program.
Malinchak stated that Vicki Wilson set the program and fundraiser in motion by seeking and receiving approval from Bristow Public Schools to teach aviation courses through the high school. Additionally, he credited her with presenting the idea of hosting a car show, fly in, and pancake breakfast to raise funds for the Young Eagles program. He noted that without her educational efforts, the chapter and Young Eagles program may not exist as they were designed to complement her contributions.
Wilson, however, was not alone in receiving credit and praise from Malinchak, which he described as a “tale of two Vickis”. Malinchak expressed gratitude to Airport Manager Vicki Roth for her work, including by ensuring “excellent” airport facilities and promoting community exposure to aviation through them.
In fact, it is through the Bristow EAA chapter’s Young Eagles program, that chapter members strive to introduce local adolescents to aviation experiences and expose the Bristow community to one of the community's greatest assets: its excellent airport facilities. Saturday’s fundraiser successfully lifted those efforts to new altitudes with hundreds in attendance, raising $1,700 in support of the Young Eagles program.
Malinchak said the event exhibited 14 airplanes and 46 cars as well as one of Tulsa Life Flight-5 Okmulgee’s emergency medical helicopters— a favorite of event attendees. Pilot Adam alongside medical staff Tanna and Chris interacted with attendees to the delight of all.
Additionally, with aviation and aerospace companies such as CTS Kratos located on airport grounds, PAS MRO, and Vertical Aerospace landing in Bristow and connecting the community with industry occupational opportunities, Bristow appears primed for future generations of aviators as well as aviation mechanics, engineers, hobbyists, and more.
Malinchak expressed gratitude to chapter members; Wilson; Young Eagles event pilots and volunteers, including his son Louis, Roth, Clint Brian of Tulsa, Paul Konrath of Jenks, and Jesse Flateau of Dallas; the City of Bristow for providing the excellent facilities; Mayor Wyatt; Bristow Public Schools; A-1 Machine Works; Jack Longacre and Scott Peters for making the car show possible; Tulsa Life Flight-5 Okmulgee; the many community members who donated or purchased breakfasts; and to all who dedicate themselves and their resources to elevating Bristow’s burgeoning aviation industry for and in support of local young people. After all, they are our future aviation and aerospace hobbyists and workforce. In a final note of exceptional gratitude, Malinchak specifically credited the efforts of the late Tex Slyman in making the airport facilities and local aviation opportunities available.
Malinchak said “The pancake breakfast helped us to continue and grow the Young Eagles program for the next year. Every contributor made it possible for us to hold our Young Eagles flight events. We learned so much that our next event will also include a concurrent program flight event at the same time as the car show and pancake breakfast for program participants.” As for that next event, the fly in, car show, pancake breakfast fundraiser, and Young Eagles flight experience is expected to be an annual event, occurring sometime in early summer.
Attendees and volunteers shared their thoughts on the event: John Reed: “It’s pretty amazing. I love seeing the planes. It’s very interesting. It’s nice to meet all of the people. It’s just awesome with the people coming out, having a good time, not having to worry about anything. It’s a small community. We feel safe, feel home, feel the love. It’s great.”
Jacqueline Henderson: “ I think it’s great. My kids love airplanes, so I thought we’d check it out. We’ve been here before when they had the rocket scientist come and speak.” Her young daughter Jeannie added “I really love airplanes, and so does my sister, Winry. Every time we see one, I’ll tell my little sister, and she says ‘Airplane! Airplane!’ I really like it when she does it.”
Lauren Waites: “So far, It’s really, really nice. I like how open it is for kids, so they have room to run. They’ve gotten to see the helicopter, which is super cool. All the pancake is so very good, and now we’re off to see the airplanes.”
Chantel & Garrett with their young sons Xander & Aunders: “The boys loved the medical helicopter, the life flight. They are obsessed with the Challengers.”
Mayor Kris Wyatt: “ The weather is beautiful. What a great day to celebrate community youth in aviation.”
Ethan Flateau, future pilot: “Pancakes were pretty decent. It’s been pretty fun. A lot of cars showed up. The planes were fun. Mr. Malinchak brought the most planes. I enjoyed it. It was fun seeing all of the people and neat to see the helicopter. I want to do it again.”
Warren VanOrsdol: “The first annual pancake fly in was a great success. We had a lot of great cars and several planes. We had a large crowd and lot of people donated. This event has been a great success.”
Janet Riley: “It is fabulous. We came out to see what’s going on. We’re enjoying the day with everybody, running into old friends, and having a great time out here. I wish everyone would come out and support the cause. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Mike Adcock: “I have a 1973 Mustang convertible. We live here in Bristow. We like to get out, show it off a little bit. See other people’s cars that they bring out. We’ve had the car for 18 years. Both me and Darla enjoy it quite often. It’s nice to have a car show that’s close to home. We enjoy being able to visit and enjoy great cars with anyone, but there’s something about sharing the time with friends, especially for a good cause. It’s beautiful our here and for a good cause. We’re enjoying the day.”