Olympic Flight Museum Beneficiary of Scout Project

Riter spent a cold and rainy Saturday in January putting up signs he built at the museum, which is located on the east side of the airport. The museum is housed in a beige hangar, and before the signs went up, it was easy to miss when you drove by. Now there is a kiosk-style sign next to the road and two murals on planter boxes on the airside of the hangar.

The rules of the Eagle Scout project dictate it must benefit an organization outside of the Boy Scouts of America. Often scouts tie their project directly to their community, such as constructing ramps to enable accessibility to buildings, creating paths and walkways, and in the case of Riter, enhancing the visibility of a local museum.

When Riter was a senior at Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle, he reached out to Kyle Baxter, administrator at the Olympic Flight Museum. The museum is run by a small group of passionate volunteers, and they are always looking for assistance to enhance the experience for others.

With the help of his scout troop, Riter got to work. It took several months of planning and fundraising, and then came the big day when the signs and murals were installed.

"For the murals, I chose the L-39Z0 Albatros and UH-1H 'Huey'," Riter told FLYING. "I have always been impressed at how Albatros epitomizes efficiency and flexibility in training and battle, while the Huey holds sentimental value to me with its connection with both of my grandfathers who served during the Vietnam conflict. These aircraft are displayed at the museum.

"I've explored them across the Northwest and the U.S. I find a special charm in the smaller museums, where encounters with experts who have flown, restored, or designed the planes add an infectious enthusiasm to the experience. Their willingness to share their stories has shaped my life's journey."

The museum houses an eclectic mix of military and civilian artifacts. Many of the items were donated or are on loan from local aviators. The facility is also available for special events and is the driving force behind an airshow in the summer.

The Olympic Flight Museum is located at 7637-A Old Highway 99 SE  in Olympia. If you fly into the airport, the museum is on the east side of Runway 17/35.