Central’s Steinke flies solo

STEM Aviation Club member seeks pilot license

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Declan Steinke is not only the latest member of Westosha Central High School’s STEM Aviation Club to fly solo, but also received the honor of becoming the youngest independent Rotax Maintenance Technician in the nation, according to club advisor Jim Senft.

Steinke, the club’s vice president, has marveled at his experience since he joined the organization 2-1/2 years ago.

“The experience has been incredible.” Steinke said. “I am still amazed that I fly a plane that I helped build.”

Declan Steinke shows a souvenir following comple-tion of his solo flight on Falcon 1, which was built by the school's STEM Aviation Club last year (Photo Submitted).
Declan Steinke shows a souvenir following comple-tion of his solo flight on Falcon 1, which was built by the school’s STEM Aviation Club last year (Photo Submitted).

The plane, Falcon 1, has helped former students Nicole Jackson and Olivia Rasmussen achieve the same goal last year.

STEM Aviation Club students spent about a year assembling the plane in 2015.

Now, Steinke, his President Josh Engberg and other members are assembling the next plane, tentatively known as Falcon 2.

Like the first plane, Steinke said, the biggest challenge is securing the aircraft with hundreds of screws and fasteners.

“Believe it or not, I think the most challenging part of the plane is installing the hundreds of screws on the interior of the plane,” Steinke said. “Because we have to do them all by hand.”

Steinke a youthful mechanic
Steinke, who joined the club when it started, received the distinction as the youngest Rotax Maintenance Mechanic in the country after he completed his certification course at Leading Edge Airfoils in Burlington.

Rotax is the manufacturer of the aircraft, Senft said.

“They were very generous and donated two seats in the class. It was two days long, with each day consisting of an eight-hour session,” said Steinke. “All in all, it took about 18 hours, including extra study time.”

According to Senft, Steinke’s certification gives him the ability to perform maintenance and inspections on any Rotax aircraft engine.

“This certificate is only held by several hundred people in the United States and Declan is by far the youngest person to hold this certification,” said Senft.

Falcon 2 in need of a name
Falcon 2, which is being assembled, may need a new name, according to Senft, who is looking for insight from the public.

“Falcon 2 is looking for an official name. ‘Not sure if Falcon 2 will be its final name,” he said. “If your readers have suggestions, we are open to any and all input.”

Senft said the project is on schedule.

“It is moving right along. We have the tail feathers done which consists of the tail cone, rudder and elevator sections of the plane,” he said. “We are halfway done with the right wing.”

To offer a name suggestion, email Senft at [email protected]

Catching up with Jackson, Rasmussen
Jackson and Rasmussen, both 2016 Westosha Central graduates, earned their pilot licenses last summer after they completed a series of flights, including one to the EAA AirVenture Show in Oshkosh.

“They flew (Falcon 1) to Oshkosh AirVenture where the plane was on display for the whole air shows,” said Senft, who reports Steinke and Engberg are next in line to carry the STEM Aviation Club’s legacy.

“Declan Steinke and Josh Engberg are now working on their pilot licenses,” said Senft.


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