Aviation Explorer Post 8

08/16/2026

POST 8 PLANE WASH TODAY -- WITH 200% MORE DUCKS....and one supervisory toad. (Ed: what?!?)

Post 8 welcomed several potential Aviation Explorers today, and apparently we believe the best way to introduce teenagers to our group is to immediately hand them cleaning supplies and point toward an airplane.

Thanks to Top Aviation Services, our Explorers had the opportunity to wash this gorgeous N3N-3 Naval Trainer. The N3N is one of the famous yellow biplanes used to train U.S. Navy Aviators during WWII, earning the cheerful nickname "Yellow Peril."

Our Scout Leader (pictured below in front of the plane) explained that washing an old fabric-covered biplane is NOT the same as washing the aluminum airplanes we encounter weekly. I took notes of what was (mostly) said:

This thing has wings. And it also has more wings.

Then struts. Something, and something more about when oil stops leaking out of it, it means it needs more oil to keep it running. I couldn't type fast enough.

Then wires. Areas where our safety officer says, "Don't spray THAT!" Only use Dawn, the soap we clean oil-covered ducks with. (more on that poultry-related topic below).

And then we discover there is somehow yet ANOTHER wing to gently wash while climbing scaffolding brought in for this special job.

I heard one scout explain how the fabric surfaces, rigging, and approximately 4,723 places specifically designed to hide oil.

Even a local toad wandered onto our ramp to supervise.

Allegedly, the toad contributed absolutely nothing to the plane wash, offered no constructive criticism, and has so far refused to pay his $6 toward adopting a Sertoma duck. Naturally, the adult Post 8 Advisors immediately chanted "ONE OF US, ONE OF US!" and welcomed it into the leadership ranks. The toad's qualifications were impeccable: watched teenagers work, offered no assistance, and somehow looked important doing it.

Which brings us, through a natural and my not-at-all-forced creative segue to...

*** The Sertoma Great Topeka Duck Race! ***🦆

Post 8's Flying Duck Squadron has currently found homes for 61 virtual ducks.

Scout Leader Ivan responded to this number in the calm and measured manner you would expect from a professional: He has gone completely quackers because YOU haven't!

For about $6, you can adopt a virtual duck in the Sertoma Great Topeka Duck Race, support local charities and youth programs, and help Post 8! Half of the proceeds from ducks adopted through our team come back to Post 8 (the other half to local charities).

Your duck also gets a chance at impressive prizes, including a 2022 Ford Bronco, which we've heard is an "automobile" and therefore does not have wings, unfortunately. I'm sure it has trade-in value toward something that does, so there's that.

The race is September 26, and duck adoptions close at 10:00 AM.

Our team is: FLYING DUCK SQUADRON 8

You'll find the link to our Duck Race team right on the Post 8 home page (post8.org).

If you enjoy these pictures of our Explorers learning to care for a piece of Naval Aviation history, consider throwing six bucks toward a duck.

The airplane is clean. The Explorers survived the heat. Ivan needs more ducks. And that toad is still freeloading with plans to nominate itself to the non-profit board of advisors.

Please adopt a duck and help us get Ivan off the ramp before he starts attaching his tiny orange hat windsocks to the ducks.

08/08/2026

OPEN HOUSE (or technically… OPEN HANGAR) IS OPEN! If you've thought of checking out Post 8 (the oldest Aviation Explorer Post), this morning is your chance to taxi on over!

Come talk to our advisors, tour the hangar, grab information, possibly acquire a snack 🍩☕ (shhhh… I absolutely did not tell you there are snacks), and pick up a voucher for a future flight!

No airplane required, no clearance from the tower necessary. Just point your vehicle, bike, or eyes toward KTOP (that's Philip Billard Airport-Topeka and come see what Post 8 is all about!

The hangar doors are open until noon today!

08/06/2026

Ever wonder why a fly-in is called "Radials on the Ramp"? I assumed it had something to do with radial tires. Thankfully, a Post 8 advisor corrected me before I embarrassed myself in front of actual pilots and scouts. That's right up there with the day I confidently pointed to a pitot tube at the Combat Air Museum and announced, "That there is the hook they use to catch the cable on aircraft carriers!" 😔 The staff considered revoking my air-breathing privileges.

If you've ever looked at a World War II airplane and noticed that round engine up front, that's a radial engine. Instead of the cylinders being lined up in a row (like in car engines), they're arranged like the spokes of a wheel around the crankshaft. These legendary engines powered iconic aircraft like the DC-3, T-6 Texan, B-17 Flying Fortress, P-47 Thunderbolt, among others from that era. They made a distinctive sound that is hard to mistake. Kermit tells me that rumbling is the sound of history.

This Saturday, August 8, you can experience that history at Gate 36 Eatery & Spirits By J. Engroff & Top Aviation Services' "Radials on the Ramp" from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Best of all, it's for ALL AGES!

While you're already at Philip Billard Airport-Topeka (KTOP):

If you happen to have a teenager (ages 14 to 16, who has completed the 8th grade) in tow, wander a little farther down the ramp to check out the Aviation Explorers Post 8 - Open House 2026 happening from 9:00 AM until Noon.

Before you can fly a WWII warbird, you have to learn to fly something first. 😉 We can't promise you'll be handed the keys to a T-6 on day one, but we can introduce you to aviation, let you meet local pilots, explore aircraft, and learn what it's like to be part of one of the nation's oldest aviation Explorer posts.

Come hear the radials, and maybe help inspire the next generation of pilots. Add calendar details/address information to our Open House from this link: https://hangar.post8.org/events/openhouse

You might even see me out there pointing in the direction of Building 15. If you're a former Post 8 member or Advisor, PLEASE come by and say "Hi" and grab an airplane cookie! Even if you don't have a warbird, feel free to fly in to KTOP to see the Radials on the Ramp! (Not tires, either).

07/24/2026

If you have a teen 14 to 16 interested in aviation, stop by the Post 8 Hangar for our open house (see our Event pinned on the page). This event is also occurring a few hundred feet away -- stop by Gate 36 Eatery & Spirits By J. Engroff and see the planes flying in (that's for everyone!).

On 8 August from 10-1pm, In conjunction with Gate 36 Eatery & Spirits By J. Engroff, TAS will be holding a “Radials on the Runway”!

See and hear vintage, radial engines, and aviation on the ramp! Rumor on the field is that there is also a new golf putting green too.

We hope to see everyone there!

07/22/2026

From Post 8's Scout PR Officer on-site at EAA - The Spirit of Aviation:
"Here are some photos from our week so far at EAA AirVenture 2026! From volunteering and exploring amazing aircraft to taking a break and watching the World Cup together, we're making the most of an incredible week."

07/18/2026

It is the final night of packing and a few final hours of sleep before the Post 8 Scouts meet at the hangar and begin a 10+hour drive to EAA - The Spirit of Aviation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

A boy and his dog were not meant to be separated. Pictured below is one very concerned dog reviewing the camping supply checklist and realizing her companion is about to leave. She found no mention of dog treats, which makes the entire trip seem poorly planned.

The summer has been busy. Between family vacations, visiting friends and summer school activities, Post 8 Scouts have:

• Taken a day trip to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.
• Helped direct parking at the Shawnee County fireworks show with fog and IFR ground conditions.
• Washed airplanes, the number-one way we help keep the hangar lights on.
• Prepared for our upcoming Open House (see our events!). Please help spread the word to teens ages 14 to 16 who might enjoy dedicating their Saturday mornings to fueling a passion for aviation!
• Started planning our second annual Chili Feed. Details and our competitive chili-related secrecy are coming soon.
• Completed another cycle of ground school, with several Scouts earning endorsements to take the FAA written exam.
• Sent N1214T, our Cherokee 180, into annual maintenance for yearly inspection and a few improvements.

We have not slowed down since the Pancake Feed and tomorrow morning, the Oshkosh adventure begins!

06/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended today's Pancake Fundraiser and Young Eagles Flights!

We appreciated today's support. Those who didn't make it this year, we know life has a way of filling the flight schedule and you can support us in many other ways.

To our pilots at Top City Aviators, parents, Scouts, Gate 36, and volunteers: WOW! Thank you for making this event a success. The teamwork was remarkable and some scouts took multiple shifts for 4+ hours on their feet and some slept only a few hours to put in their expertise.

It was extra-special having the EAA pilots who donated their time, fuel, and aircraft. Together, 28 Young Eagles flights were performed, introducing nearly 40 youth to the wonder of aviation. Lifetime memories were made.

Gate 36 Eatery & Spirits By J. Engroff donated the pancake syrup. Gate 36, if you noticed a sudden disturbance in the Pancake Force this morning in the restaurant, it was because your syrup was fueling a new generation of aviators and the community encouraging them. Oh, and that was totally not us wafting pancake smells towards your Saturday morning customers!

A selection of photos from today can be found at:
https://hangar.post8.org/photoalbums/pancake2026/ and can be easily added to Facebook feeds and downloaded.

Now to bed while I dream of winning our next event, but I can't share it just yet because the scouts haven't completed the plans. Loose lips sink chili bowls, and I'm notoriously bad at keeping secrets. Let's say there may be a future competition involving aviation, bragging rights, and enough of [redacted] to require its own NOTAM.

Keep your airspeed up, pancakes warm, and your dreams pointed toward the horizon...and give it more butter...err, RIGHT-RUDDER!!

06/20/2026

Post 8 - Morning of the Pancake Fundraiser, 2026