Meet the New Aviation Exploring Youth Representatives

Through their unique perspectives as youth, Yoni Butbul of Pathway to Adventure Council and Megan Ryan of Jayhawk Area Council will serve as representatives to Aviation Exploring, sharing what it means to help young people cultivate leadership and career skills as they soar toward their own professional aspirations.

Aviation Exploring is a hands-on program that allows young people to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a pilot, flight engineer, air traffic controller, and more. Get to know the new youth representatives as you learn more about the world of Aviation Exploring!

Photo credit: Chris Billdilli

Yoni Butbul

Post 9, Pathway to Adventure Council

Yoni has served as both vice president and president of his Exploring post, and his knack for leadership has played an instrumental role in recruitment as older members move on to college. Additionally, Yoni has received the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Certificate of Appreciation

What Yoni says:

Aviation is my greatest passion. I put my all toward becoming the best aviator and aviation student I can be. My ultimate goals are to become a military pilot, transition to an airline, and to one day fly a Cub floatplane to AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Ever since I was a young boy, I always knew that the more I immersed myself into aviation, the more successful I would be. In middle school, I asked my parents if I could take my first introductory flight. They said if I graduated from middle school with perfect grades I would be allowed to fly. After three years and a lot of hard work, I received a perfect report card and my parents let me fly. Ever since, I have continued the same work ethic as I pursue my private pilot license.

As a national youth representative, I hope to use my experiences in aviation and as a post officer to influence the next generation of aviators. Not only will I promote Aviation Exploring and the Aviation Exploration Base, but I also plan to introduce more people to other aspects of aviation, such as professional networks and industry advancements.

Photo credit: Chris Billdilli

Megan Ryan

Post 8, Jayhawk Area Council

Megan’s leadership skills shine through her involvement in her Exploring post, where she has served as treasurer, safety officer, president, and flight officer at the Aviation Exploration Base in Oshkosh, Wis.

What Megan says:

For the past three years, I have experienced a wide range of aviation activities through my local post, such as participating in the national airshow, AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. I always look to go further in whatever I commit to be apart of and have served in multiple leadership roles in my post.

I believe there are always ways to improve, and my vision for improving Aviation Exploring is simply to let more people know about our program’s mission and goals, and to help young people pursuing careers in aviation find their path. The more people that know about the program, the more likely they are to join, participate, and learn. I look forward to helping inspire a new generation to be a part of Aviation Exploring!

Discover your future

Aviation Exploring is open to young men and women from the 6th grade to 20 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Aviation. Exploring offers even more programs for future professionals, in areas such as business, health care, engineering, and more. Head to Exploring.org to find a post near you.

August 19 is Aviation Day! Do you know any aviation professionals making a positive impact in your community? Share your story with us in the comments.