Main fundraiser photo

Gene Vogt Memorial Aviation Fund

Donation protected
In memory of Gene Vogt, the family is asking for contributions to an aviation program in Alaska that helps youth achieve their dreams to fly who would otherwise not have the ability. 

ALL donations to our 501c (3) are tax deductible.  You can claim the deduction on your taxes using the Alaska EXCEL EIN #46-1486834

Donate to the memorial fund here on our GO Fund Me Page or mail paper checks to:

Alaska EXCEL 
2211 Sunrise Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508

Gene Vogt may be remembered as the man who sold Havasu to the world, but he really considered learning to fly his greatest achievement. His love for flying weaved through everything he did, through his family, his friends and his spirit. Gene took flying lessons, and learned to fly an Aeronca 7AC “tail dragger” at Cable Claremont airport in Southern California in 1955.  He went on to purchase his own small plane, sharing his enthusiasm for aviation with the world.

To honor Gene's life we would like to gift a young Alaskan with the ability to achieve his aviation dreams. We have connected with a flight program geared for rural Alaska. This aviation program helps teenagers on their path to a career in aviation. These young people would otherwise not have the financial means or mentorship needed to become pilots.

The small Alaskan villages these students are from would look more like third world countries to any outsider. In fact, many cabins are without running water and no modern conveniences such as internet or cell service. The lack of services and experience dealing with the outside world make it difficult for students go beyond what village life has to offer. Because these villages are off the road system, they can only be accessed by small aircraft. To fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks with a local air taxi operation is quite expensive. The cost of living is high; however, the job opportunities are low. There is a constant struggle for these indigenous teenagers to reconcile the changes from the past with the modern ways of the future. The suicide rate is the highest in the nation, drug and alcohol abuse is common, without a path forward many Alaskan Native youth slip into a depression. The Alaska EXCEL / CKT Aviation program provides a path with long lasting mentorship to help each individual student achieve their dreams.

The students attending the CKT Aviation program have been in small planes many times, each time they need to see a doctor or visit family from another village they have to fly on a local air taxi. They are connected to aviation in a deep and meaningful way but do not have the means to access it for themselves without your help.  Flight training from zero to the commercial pilot license can cost as much as $75,000.

Our student, Ole Chief, is in need of funding to complete his dream. He is Yupik Eskimo, from a long line of strong people. He grew up in Mountain Village on the banks of the mighty Yukon River.  Last year he graduated high-school in May 2019, received his driver’s license in June 2019, started flight training July 2019, and became a private pilot in September 2019. Ole applied for every scholarship under the sun and was able to achieve his instrument rating last winter at the age of 19. Currently Ole is building hours to achieve his commercial pilots license while working a full time job on the ramp at a local air taxi. He lacks the financial means to continue his training.  His drive and passion for aviation are something Gene and him have in common. Let's pave the way forward, and watch Ole make it to the finish.  

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds -
and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -
wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.
Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along
and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
where never lark, or even eagle, flew;
and, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
put out my hand and touched the face of God.”

Author: John Gillespie Magee, Jr.


**If we surpass the financial goal for Ole, the money will be established in a scholarship fund for more of our students. Alaska EXCEL has programs year-round, holding Introduction to Aviation courses, ground school and private pilot flight training for rural Alaskan youth**






Organizer

Jamie Klaes
Organizer
Anchorage, AK

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.