Silver Wings helps teens take their lives to the sky

By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Nearly 12 years ago, Bill Almquist saw a way to make a difference.

The Canadian-born recreational pilot who now lives at Oak Crest in Parkville, Md., decided to turn the Maryland chapter of the Silver Wings in a new direction. “We weren’t accomplishing anything; it was a place to tell stories. So I asked if they would be interested in teaching kids all about aviation,” he says.

In 1996, the Silver Wings teamed up with the Maryland National Guard’s Freestate Challenge Academy. “Our goal is to continually turn high school dropouts around,” Almquist says.

Heard it through the grapevine
With the help of experienced pilots, including several from Oak Crest, more than 800 students have graduated from the program.

“I find it very satisfying to pass along some of the experiences I’ve had in aviation, both as a crew member and as an engineer and designer,” Don Caldwell says.

He joined the program nearly eight years ago when Almquist, his neighbor at Oak Crest, mentioned it to him. Others from Oak Crest who joined the quest to work with high school dropouts through aviation include David Tosic and Jim Whitlock.

All of the pilots heard of the program through Almquist. They joined together to offer their knowledge, skills, and services to his cause.

“I think the world of Bill. He’s really developed this program into what it is today,” Caldwell says.

Just four Saturdays
As part of the voluntary, 22-week Challenge Academy, the one-of-a-kind Silver Wings program runs for four Saturdays twice a year. Pilots take three hours to bring teens face-to-face with an airplane’s parts and procedures.

“Most of these kids have never been this close to an airplane before. They’re off thinking about drugs and alcohol, and what we have to do is snap them away from that. That’s what this does—it’s the most exciting thing they’ve ever done,” Almquist says.