Robert Baker of Experimental Aircraft of America’s Chapter 92 in Coto de Caza, California, has been presented with a Major Achievement Award from the EAA at Oshkosh, WI.
Baker, son of Mildred and the late Robert Baker of Belleville, was born and raised in Belleville and is a graduate of Belleville High School and Michigan State University.
His mother said he has always been interested in aviation and after the death of his father, she gave him his father’s airplane.
He became a “later in life” pilot at the age of 61.
He has been flying his Cessna 182 since that time and has become very active in many ways with other pilots and helping to promote aviation interest in young fliers.
Baker has taken over leadership in many of the programs to grow their chapters and attract young members. Because of his leadership role, he was awarded this Major Achievement Award by the EAA at Oshkosh 2012.
Baker currently serves as his home chapter’s president, webmaster and Young Eagles coordinator. During 2011, Baker flew 50 of the chapter’s 300 Young Eagles after he added two extra events to the yearly schedule. The chapter expects to fly more than 400 Young Eagles this year.
The Young Eagles program offers a free flight to youngsters between the ages of 8 and 17 to give them a taste of flying.
Baker received his award on July 28 during the Chapter Leaders Breakfast in the Founders Wing in the EAA AirVenture Museum at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh.