Interview with James Senft: Building the Future of Aviation, One Student at a Time
By Tyler Rehberg
At the heart of Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin (ENP WI) is a powerful mission — to ignite a passion for aviation in young people through hands-on STEM experiences, aircraft-building projects, and mentorship that goes far beyond the classroom. Based out of Burlington, Wisconsin, this nonprofit has become a launchpad for the next generation of pilots, engineers, A&P mechanics, and aerospace professionals.
Leading the charge is James \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Jim\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" Senft, president of ENP WI and a lifelong educator, aviator, and A&P/IA. With deep expertise in Van’s RV-12 aircraft and Rotax systems, Jim not only helps students build and fly planes — he helps them build futures. Under his leadership, ENP WI is expanding its reach with a new aviation maintenance program and strategic partnerships with institutions like Fox Valley Technical College and Choose Aerospace.
Whether he’s mentoring students in the hangar, leading aircraft inspections, or flying alongside a first-time solo pilot, Jim\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s commitment is clear: aviation changes lives — and he’s here to make sure every student who dreams of flying gets a chance to do just that.
I sat down with Jim to talk about the journey of ENP WI, the impact of youth aviation, and how fundraising — including some exciting sweepstakes — is helping turn dreams into reality.
1. You have built Eagles Nest Project Wisconsin into a standout program for youth aviation — what role does fundraising play in keeping the mission alive and growing?
Fundraising is absolutely vital — it’s the fuel that keeps us flying. Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin is 100% funded by donations, and as you can imagine, teaching students to fly or work on aircraft isn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t cheap. Aviation is an incredible but resource-intensive field, and we’re committed to giving students real, hands-on experiences — from turning wrenches to taking the controls of an aircraft.
One of our biggest fundraising tools is our sweepstakes program. We’ve given away a Vans RV-12 aircraft and a pair of Bose A30 headsets — and the response has been amazing. Every single dollar raised through those sweepstakes goes directly back into our mission: getting the next generation of aviators engaged, trained, and excited about aviation. These funds help us provide tools, materials, flight instruction, and mentorship opportunities that most young people would never have access to otherwise.
Without community support and these fundraising efforts, we simply couldn’t do what we do. It’s what turns a dream into a runway.
2. Sweepstakes are a unique way to engage supporters — what inspired you to explore this fundraising method for ENPWI?
We were looking for a way to both raise funds and share the excitement of aviation with a wider audience — and a sweepstakes just made sense. It’s a win-win. People get a chance to win something amazing, like a Vans RV-12 aircraft or Bose A30 headsets, and at the same time, they’re directly supporting youth aviation education.
What really inspired us was seeing how passionate the aviation community is. When you offer a sweepstakes prize that speaks to that passion, like a well-built airplane, people rally around it. It creates buzz, brings in new supporters, and gives us a platform to share what ENPWI is all about inspiring and training the next generation of aviators and aircraft technicians.
It’s more than just a fundraiser — it’s a way to connect people to our mission in a fun and meaningful way.
3. Can you walk us through how funds raised — whether through donations or sweepstakes — directly support the students and aviation projects?
Every dollar we raise — whether it’s through a generous donation or a sweepstakes entry — goes straight into giving students life-changing opportunities in aviation. That means materials and tools for aircraft builds, scholarships for flight training, parts and equipment for our maintenance program, and keeping our STEM Aviation hangars up and running as safe, inspiring learning environments.
We also use funds to bring in certified instructors, provide simulator time, and take students to major aviation events like EAA AirVenture, where they can meet professionals, see the latest technology, and start imagining what’s possible in their future.
None of that happens without financial support. These programs aren’t just educational — they’re transformational. We’re training future pilots, A&Ps, engineers, and leaders. And because we’re 100% donation funded, every contribution has a direct impact on real students chasing real dreams.
4. What’s been one of the most successful or memorable fundraising campaigns you’ve led so far?
Hands down, one of the most memorable moments was our first major sweepstakes — giving away an actual airplane, a Vans RV-12, for just a $100 ticket. The most incredible part? Calling the winner to tell him he just won a plane. I’ll never forget that phone call — it was pure joy on the other end.
He and his lovely wife flew in from Texas to Burlington, Wisconsin to check out the aircraft. The forecast had called for strong winds that day, so we weren’t expecting to get up in the air. But after a couple hours of walking through the airplane, something almost magical happened — the winds suddenly died down. I grabbed a couple headsets and said, “Let’s go flying.”
We were up for about an hour, and by the end of the flight, I could see that smile — the famous “RV grin.” He was hooked. When we landed, we spent more time talking things through, and eventually he and his wife decided to take the $65,000 cash payout instead of the airplane.
He was an older gentleman, and while you could tell he was thrilled with the plane, I think they made the right decision for where they were in life. But the whole experience — from the call, to the visit, to watching someone light up in the air — reminded me exactly why we do this. Not only did it help us raise critical funds for our students, but it connected people to aviation in such a personal, powerful way.
5.As someone who’s passionate about aviation and youth mentorship, how do you balance your vision with the realities of fundraising?
That’s a tough question — and honestly, it’s something I wrestle with every day. I’ve been an educator and aviator for a long time, and my true passion lies in teaching students how to build airplanes and helping them take their first steps into aviation. That’s what drives me — and has for the past 11 years with Eagles Nest Projects.
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a student who may have never considered aviation go on to become a successful airline pilot, corporate or cargo pilot, A&P mechanic, or even an aerospace engineer. Knowing that ENPWI opened that door for them — that’s what keeps me going.
But then there’s the fundraising side. If I’m being honest, I don’t love it. I don’t wake up excited to write grant applications or organize sweepstakes — I wake up excited to teach. But the reality is, you can’t run a program like this without funding. Aviation is expensive, and everything from tools and parts to flight instruction costs real money. That’s why things like our sweepstakes are so vital — they keep the doors open and the students in the hangar.
My hope is that someone reading this might feel moved to donate or support our mission, so I can spend more of my time where I’m needed most — alongside our students, building the future of aviation.
6.What’s your message to someone who’s thinking about supporting ENPWI — whether through a sweepstakes entry, donation, or sponsorship?”
Talk to me. I get it — there’s no such thing as a free lunch. That’s why we’re committed to making support for ENPWI a two-way street. If you’re a sponsor or donor, we’re more than happy to recognize your support — banners in our hangar, photos with our students and aircraft, donor walls, you name it. When you help us, we want to help you too.
Buying a sweepstakes ticket is another great way to get involved. We do our best to make the odds attractive and offer prizes that speak to all kinds of aviation enthusiasts. But more importantly, you’re directly supporting the next generation of aviators, mechanics, and engineers. If we don’t get young people into aviation today, we won’t solve the serious workforce issues facing our industry tomorrow.
There are so many ways to support ENPWI. Maybe you’d like to fund a scholarship, or maybe you’d like to honor the legacy of a family member who was a pilot — whether in WWII or just someone who loved to fly. We’re always respectful of those wishes and deeply grateful for that kind of lasting impact.
At the end of the day, my door’s always open. If you’re considering getting involved, reach out. I’d love to talk about how we can work together to inspire the next generation and keep aviation thriveng.
7.Looking ahead, what’s your long-term vision for Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin, and how do you see fundraising evolving to support that growth?
My vision has always been simple: get more students involved in aviation. Looking ahead, that means expanding our reach and creating more opportunities for hands-on learning. One of the biggest steps we’re taking is launching a new maintenance program in fall 2025, right at our STEM Aviation Center at the Burlington Airport. It’ll be open to students from all area high schools, giving them real-world experience in aircraft maintenance — something that’s desperately needed in the aviation industry.
But I don’t want to stop there. I’d love to see Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin grow into a statewide program, partnering with more schools and inspiring even more students. I want kids to look up when a plane flies overhead and wonder how it works, or what it would feel like to fly it. That spark of curiosity is where it all begins — and that’s what I want my legacy to be.
Of course, none of this happens without funding. We can’t grow without support. Fundraising — whether through donations, sponsorships, or sweepstakes — is what makes everything possible. So if you believe in the power of youth aviation, please support it. And if not ENPWI, then support a local program in your community. We need all hands on deck to build the next generation of aviators.
8.You’ve seen firsthand how aviation changes lives — can you share a student success story that really sticks with you?”
Absolutely — this is exactly what keeps me going. I’ve been doing this for over 11 years now, and what fuels me more than anything else is watching students grow from curious teenagers into confident, skilled professionals.
We’ve had over 19 students earn their private pilot’s license using our aircraft — completely free of charge. All of them were still in high school at the time. Think about that: high school students logging flight hours, soloing, and passing their checkrides before they’ve even graduated. That’s life-changing. And they didn’t come from wealthy families or traditional aviation backgrounds — they came from all walks of life. Without ENPWI, most of them would’ve never even had the chance to step into a cockpit.
What’s even more incredible is where they are now. We have six former students who are making a living as professional pilots — flying for airlines, corporate operators, and cargo carriers. Two more are working as certified A&P mechanics, keeping aircraft safe and airworthy. One former student is now an FAA engineer, helping certify aircraft components for giants like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin. That’s an extraordinary leap from a high school hangar in Wisconsin.
And then there are the two who earned appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. They’re not just flying — they’re serving their country, leading, and pushing themselves to the highest standards. On top of that, many others have gone on to study engineering — aerospace, mechanical, electrical — and they’re applying what they learned with us in all kinds of industries.
These stories aren’t just success metrics — they’re personal to me. I remember every single student. I remember their names, their dreams, the first time they picked up a rivet gun or sat in the pilot’s seat. I’ve been in the shop with them late at night finishing up builds, flying early in the morning before school, or walking the grounds of AirVenture talking about their future. Even if I’ve lost touch with a few of them, I still carry those memories.
These are more than just students to me — they’re young men and women I’ve had the privilege to mentor, and in many ways, they’ve inspired me just as much as I’ve tried to inspire them. Watching them find success in aviation or the business world — it’s the greatest reward there is.
So when people ask me why I do this, or why I work so hard to keep ENPWI going, I think of all those stories. All those lives changed. That’s what sticks with me — and that’s why I’ll keep doing this for as long as I can.
Summary:
If you believe in the transformative power of aviation, we invite you to support Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin through your generous donations. Our entire program is funded by contributions, and every dollar is directly invested in giving students hands-on experiences—from aircraft building and flight training to aviation maintenance. These experiences not only spark curiosity but also build the skills that future pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals need to succeed.
Your support can come in many forms. Whether you decide to participate in one of our exciting sweepstakes, sponsor a scholarship for a deserving student, make a one-time gift, or even leave a legacy donation in honor of someone who cherished aviation, you are making a tangible difference. Every contribution helps us continue our mission of inspiring the next generation of aviators, ensuring they have the resources they need to pursue their dreams.
To learn more about how your support can make a lasting impact, please visit ENPWI.com. If you have any questions or wish to discuss donation opportunities further, Jim Senft is always available to chat. Together, we can invest in youth aviation and empower young people to look up, dream big, and soar to new heights.
