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.
Our First Project….
Our First Project Flies….
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
YouTube Channel
Click the image to view our YouTube channel
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
Amanda Brzezinski
Treasurer
Operations Manager, Wausau Flying Service
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
Katherine Rauscher
Youth Board President
Wausau East High School
Enjoys design, modeling, 3D printing, CNC programming.
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.
Marli Novy
Student pilot at Wausau Downtown Airport.
Enjoys learning about airplanes from people who have been around them for all their lives.
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
Description….
Description….
Our Sponsors
It's almost Tuesday Build Night, Best Night of the Week! We have a lot of projects to do. Gas engines, hangar #2 cleanup, work on the tail surfaces, possibly some glass of carbon fiber layups, and of course there's always something cooking in the computer lab. Hope you can make it! 7:00 PM at the Learn Build Fly Education Center. Wausau Downtown Airport.
Consider this YOUR invitation! ... See MoreSee Less
Here's an interesting job offer! ... See MoreSee Less
Katherine's Plastic molding project.
This project started late last year on a dare. Katherine was challenged by the powers at CTech Manufacturing to design and CAM up a plastic key chain mold. The machine program was finished and presented to our in house expert on plastic molding and a mold was cut. Both Katherine and Mya (of Learn Build Fly welding fame) were there as the mold was cut. Thursday of this week it was test run and then tweaked. Friday the mold was placed into the machine and about 200 key fobs were produced. How many 16 and 17 year old young ladies could pull something like this off! At learn Build Fly we know no limits!
See the pictures for comments. ... See MoreSee Less