
Learn Build Fly
People building airplanes, teaching engineering practices, teaching people to build a flying plane.
Events

History
The Baby Ace: Catalyst for Learn, Build, Fly: In May 1955, a Corben Baby Ace graced the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine with a simple headline: “Build this plane for under $800 including engine!” The magazine introduced the first of a three-part article series written by EAA Founder Paul Poberezny that methodically stepped the reader through building and flying a homebuilt airplane.
A half-century later, at age 89, Paul decided that it was time to build another one, a flying example that would help tell the story of the airplane and its impact on EAA. He got started in early 2011, and before long, the Aeroplane Factory was humming with activity as supplies were gathered, tubing was measured and cut, and construction began.
In August of 2013, Paul Poberezny passed away. It was the end of an era; however, it was not the end of the Baby Ace project. Everyone knew the Baby Ace deserved to be finished and flown to AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 as a tribute to Paul.
In November of 2013 the Baby Ace was acquired by EAA chapter 640 and moved from Oshkosh to Wausau, and the countdown to AirVenture began. Hard work and dedication from Chapter 640 members, volunteers, and several high school students completed the second Mechanix Illustrated Baby Ace making its first flight on July 19, 2014. Nine days later it fulfilled its prophecy by flying the opening ceremony of AirVenture 2014.
This event, in April of 2015, represents the catalyst that launched Learn Build Fly, a 501C3 non-profit organization, . The next project was the melding of Steve Wittman’s Buttercup and Tailwind design into an aircraft we call the Wittman Legacy.
In 2018, after extensive fund raising efforts, the Learn Build Fly Education Center Hangar was built at the Wausau Downtown Airport. Seasoned contractors from various trades, along with many volunteers, all pitched in to complete the project. At this new facility work resumed on the Wittman Legacy build as participation and recognition grew. Donations continued to funnel in and soon equipment needs were fulfilled including welders, a mill, a lathe, a CNC plasma table, computers, computer aided design software, 3D printers and additional wood working equipment. With this new equipment came additional training needs. Volunteers began stepping up providing the strength and leadership needed to ensure our success.
From our humble beginnings as an idea (the Wittman Legacy) shared on the floor of the airport terminal to the successful culmination of Paul Poberezny’s Baby Ace opening Air Venture 2014, our goal has always been to help young people and adults realize their full potential by providing the tools and guidance to ensure success. Passion and commitment play a huge role in igniting our vision, and with incredible community support Learn Build Fly’s mission continues to evolve.
In 2022 we will add our second hangar facility. This addition represents an expanded partnership with area businesses and school districts to promote science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing. Through the commitment of its volunteers, community supporters, and passion for aviation, Learn Build Fly continues to strive to accomplish its mission. To build a stronger community by helping people of all ages recognize their full potential.
Education

Beginning Excel with Tom Wood
Dates: Meets weekly Monday, February 28th – Monday, April 5th
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Learn, Build, Fly 620 Woods Pl, Wausau, WI 54403
Requirements: You will need a laptop with Excel already loaded.

Aviation 101
Wausau Flying Service & Wausau Area Virtual Education
Leadership
Board of Directors

Dave Conrad
President and Founder

Scott Feldbruegge
Secretary
Sr. Video Editor, Spectrum Communications

Wynn O (Casey) Jones II
Board Member
President & CEO, Wynn Jones and Associates

Dan Rauscher
Treasurer

Jennifer Rauscher, Ph.D.
Vice President
Director of Secondary Education, Wausau School District

Kurt Mehre
Founder and Board Member

Bob Waldinger
Board Member
Wisconsin Public Service Corp – Retired
Youth Board of Directors

Marli Novy
Youth Board President
Student pilot at Wausau Downtown Airport.

Gus Steffen
Home Schooled
Winner 2021 Ray Scholarship, private pilot very soon. Enjoys woodworking, solid modeling, welding, flying.

Hadden Steffen
Home Schooled
Enjoys learning new things, flying, working with others.

Lidia Ruiz
Home Schooled
Enjoys sandblasting, flying, assisting in the woodworking area.

Isaac Jones
Home Schooled
Enjoys everything mechanical, leader in our gas engine workshops.

Eli Erickson
St. Peter Lutheran School
Enjoys welding, working on engines.
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Contact Us
Support Us
You can help us grow our mission—promoting aviation, engineering, and STEM learning to youth and the greater community!
Share your time and talents as a volunteer
- Attend a Build Night (Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m., LBF Hangar)
- Propose a workshop or class
- Help with projects, facility upkeep, equipment maintenance, event staffing, and more
- Contact Us to learn more
Donate items
- Parts and materials, supplies, hand tools, and machinery all help us keep learning and creating.
- See our “Wish List” below.
- Contact Us to discuss items and to arrange pick up or drop off
Make a financial gift
- Donate here
- Bring cash donations or checks to any Tuesday Build Night, or mail checks made out to Learn Build Fly to—
Dave Conrad, President
1711 Kickbusch Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Scott Feldbruegge, Secretary
917 North 6th Avenue
Wausau, WI 54403
We are a non-profit 501 C3 organization.
- Click here to view our charitable organization certificate
- Click here to view our tax-exempt certificates.
Contact Us to learn more
Wish List

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Our Sponsors









Tuesday "Build Night is coming up soon! Many projects were done this weekend. The final instrument panel layout is complete and cut out. The battery box and master solenoid is installed. The final Stainless steel firewall is cut out and ready to install. Plus all the other interesting Learn Build Fly engineering projects that you can think of will be going on. Hope to see you at 7:00 PM Tuesday. Learn Build Fly Education Center, Wausau Downtown Airport, right behind the park.
Don't be late! ... See MoreSee Less
Some of our young people looking things over and checking things out at the Learn Build Fly Saturday Morning Think Tank. ... See MoreSee Less
Think Tank Saturday. Saturday mornings are some of the best times at Learn Build Fly. This week we had an amazingly good time working on projects and doing some photo documentation for future projects. ... See MoreSee Less