Candler Field Museum is raising funds to build new hangar

Candler Field Museum, a 501(c)(3) public charity in Williamson recently launched a campaign to raise funds for a new education facility for its expanding Youth Aviation Program, which teaches students skills of restoring, repairing and maintaining aircraft.The campaign seeks to raise $800,000 for constructing and equipping a 7,700-square-foot facility containing classrooms and workspace adjacent to its existing 3,000-square-foot facility at the former Peach State Aerodrome (now Alexander Memorial Airport), where the program is currently housed. Candler Field Museum’s board of directors expects the new facility to reduce the current waiting list of applicants and provide expansion space for this highly successful and growing youth education program.Candler Field Museum and its Youth Aviation Program (YAP) were the brainchild of Ron Alexander, a lifelong aviator, member of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, and a retired Delta pilot who died tragically in November 2016. Ron was passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of pilots, mechanics and aviation enthusiasts.YAP, founded in 2013, quickly grew to capacity and currently has a waiting list of applicants. While diligently pursuing the skills necessary to obtain their A&P certificate, each program participant also earns aircraft flight time allowing them to earn their private pilot license at a young age with minimum cost. To date, 35 students have participated and been exposed to the maintenance requirements of aircraft with 10 students having earned their private pilot’s license, 18 students having soloed and one student having earned the coveted A&P certificate, a required certification for professional aircraft maintenance technicians.’Seeing the expansion of this program confirms Ron’s vision and is a testament to his lifelong commitment to education, this museum and its youth program. I believe this program and its new facility will continue to share his love of flying and assist mentors in exposing youth to all things aviation, which was his passion,’ said Regina Alexander, Ron Alexander’s widow.Donors interested in supporting this educational fundraising effort can contact Amy King, museum director, at 770-467-8318 or by email at amyk@atlantaaero.com.