January 16, 2024 All-in Allender

The Liberty Gazette

January 16, 2024

Ely Air Lines

By Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely

Faith, a supportive family, access to education and training, and an engulfing passion are important contributors to the journey into an aviation career. Just ask 18-year-old Jed Allender. The oldest of four children, all of them home-schooled, Jed is grateful for God’s providence and guidance as he learns more about the world of flight. 

He showed an interest in airplanes at an early age, being that kid who always ran outside with binoculars when he heard an airplane; the one in the family who would identify an airplane by engine sound, the one they all look to when they have questions about airplanes. He’s the proverbial “kid at the airport fence,” except that he’s not just standing at the fence. 

Jed is enrolled in the Aeronautical Center of Technology (ACT) in Greenwood, Indiana, which offers dual-credit STEM-based courses for high school juniors and seniors and aviation themed after-school clubs for ages 12 and up. ACT’s multi-disciplinary aviation program has inspired him to pursue a career in the aviation industry as soon as he can decide which one. Two subjects that have really caught his attention are aircraft design – specifically aerodynamics – and flying. But they cover so much, it must be hard to make a decision. He’s getting ground school (both manned and unmanned flight), learning aircraft systems, rocketry, meteorology, aviation business, operations and management, safety, air traffic control, and 3-D printing. He’s also part of a small group of students building an airplane, a Van’s RV-12. He’s riveted spars and wing ribs, assembled rudder, tail cone, and control surfaces.

Jed joined the Civil Air Patrol a few years ago and is now a Second Lieutenant and leader of Bravo Flight, the newest cadets in the squadron. He’s the recipient of the Civil Air Patrol’s Billy Mitchell Award, given for exemplary leadership, aerospace knowledge, and fitness. He watches air traffic on FlightAware and reads accident reports to learn valuable lessons and analyze what went wrong. 

ACT says their mission is “to develop ethical standards that promote responsibility, good citizenship, respect for authority, and solid core values,” and it’s clear that Jed has taken that to heart. “It’s not all about machines,” he told us. “It’s people, too. I am blessed. God has guided me, and I am grateful.” He especially likes that there are others in this industry who share his faith What he does with God’s gifts is important.

Jed is learning so much so quickly. When we asked him, “What’s your favorite airplane?” he immediately asked, “Do you mean civil or military? Vintage or modern?” Well, let’s just have them all, however you want to break it down. Here’s his list: modern military, F22 Raptor; older military, P47 Thunderbolt. For civilian aircraft, he loves twin turbo props and business jets, and the 747-800. And he can’t leave out the turbo Cessna Skylane.

It’s refreshing to see this industry from the eyes of a young, enthusiastic person. Jed Allender is going to be doing great things, and we’re excited for his future.

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