Plant City resident Matt Dean attended Planes, Trains & Automobiles in 2018 when he was 15-years old and the experience changed the trajectory of his life.
“I was just getting into aviation, learned that Plant City had an airport and signed up for a Young Eagles flight,” said Dean, now 19.
Young Eagles discovery flights, conducted by local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapters, give youth ages eight – 17 their first free ride in an airplane with the sole mission of introducing kids to the world of aviation.
Dean recalls that first flight. “It was my first time in a single-engine propeller airplane, a red and white Cessna 210,” he said.
He recalls being a little nervous as the pilot went through an emergency briefing but that feeling disappeared as the plane lifted off the ground. “It was an amazing experience, like I was in a dream,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”
Two years later, he would fly his first solo flight with Atlas Aviation and later earn a private pilot license. While Dean still loves soaring high above the ground in planes, his true calling is aircraft maintenance. “I joined the Lakeland Aero Club and while I still love to fly for fun, I love to work on them,” he said. “My goal is to work for Frontier Airlines as a mechanic.”
He’s currently interning at the club as a mechanic and hoping to start T Black Aviation’s Airframe & Powerplant certification program in June.
Dean will also be one of the pilots offering Young Eagles discovery flights at this year’s Planes, Trains & Automobiles event, held Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. He hopes he can inspire other youth to learn more about aviation. I want them to enjoy the experience like I did and really get them motivated to get their pilot license or have a career in aviation,” said Dean.
For event founder and Plant City Commissioner Jason Jones, hearing Dean’s story is the reason he started Planes, Trains & Automobiles. “That’s why I love doing this event, hearing about the kids who’ve gotten connected with and fall in love with aviation makes it all worthwhile,” said Jones.
In addition to the numerous aircraft on display, visitors can enjoy a car show, an operating model train exhibit, radio-controlled aircraft displays and demonstrations, first-responder vehicles and personnel, hands-on stations for kids, including STEM education exhibits and flight simulators from the Aerospace Center for Excellence, Scout merit badge opportunities, a pinewood derby, dozens of vendors, food trucks and more. A major LEGO display is scheduled featuring all modes of transportation.
“The key to this event is we’ll have something for everybody, this is a fun family event,” said Jones.
Proceeds from the event will fund aviation scholarship programs (for flight training, mechanic and professional career education) for local youth.
Ticket pricing is $7.25 online in advance or $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. Parking is free but $20 VIP parking is available to purchase online. To sign a youth up for one of a limited number of Young Eagles free flights visit https://youngeaglesday.org/?yedetail&event=83wwuNxNh. Flights will be conducted as available with regard to weather and other considerations.
For more information about Planes, Trains & Automobiles or to purchase tickets visit https://www.mytbaa.org/PTA.