From Cockpits to Classrooms: Carrying on Adam’s Love of Flight

A Passion that Soared

Adam R. Scripps loved anything with an engine. Whether behind the wheel of a Jeep, at the controls of a plane, or behind the throttle of a speedboat, Adam was in his element. Mechanically gifted, he could fix just about anything, and he seemed to know everything about cars. Once, he even built his niece a functioning go-kart out of a lawn chair, a mower engine, and a little ingenuity.

But nothing captured Adam’s imagination more than flight. He was a pilot and aircraft owner who found joy in the skies. For him, flying wasn’t just a pastime—it was a passion rooted in freedom, curiosity, and a sense of wonder that he never outgrew.

From Personal Hobby to Philanthropic Priority

In the early years of Adam’s philanthropy, much of his giving was focused on animals, another lifelong love. But over time, he began to reflect on the other parts of his life that brought him joy and fueled his passion. Aviation quickly rose to the top of that list.

Supporting aviation education became a natural fit. Adam understood the power of flight—not just in terms of physics, but as a source of inspiration and opportunity. He believed every child should have the chance to experience it, especially those who might never otherwise set foot in a cockpit. At one point, he even tried to install a flight simulator for kids in a local airport—a creative idea that was ultimately declined due to oversight and staffing concerns. Still, the desire to open the skies to young people never left him.

Undeterred by the setback, Adam turned his generosity toward organizations committed to making aviation accessible to kids. One of those partners is Above the Clouds, a nonprofit that gives children and teens their first taste of flight. Through its Dream Flyers program, kids receive free recreational flights—often their first time in the air. For older youth, the Discovery Flyers program (formerly known as Cadet Flyers) offers a deeper experience: hands-on flight education, airport field trips, and mentorship from aviation professionals. These programs spark not just excitement, but potential pathways to careers in aviation.

Another organization, Challenge Air for Kids & Friends, creates flight experiences for children with disabilities. These recreational flights empower young people to see beyond their limitations, reinforcing confidence and expanding their sense of what’s possible.

A Legacy Still in Flight

Today, the Adam R. Scripps Foundation carries that vision forward by investing in programs that make aviation more accessible to youth. A key partner in this work is the EAA Aviation Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)—a national organization headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Founded in 1953 by a group of amateur aircraft builders in Milwaukee, EAA has grown into one of the most passionate and diverse aviation communities in the world, encompassing everyone from recreational pilots and homebuilders to warbird restorers, aerobatic flyers, and ultralight enthusiasts. The EAA Aviation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, raises vital support for EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation through hands-on education, community engagement, and access to flight.

For the Adam R. Scripps Foundation, these partnerships are more than charitable giving—they are expressions of Adam’s spirit. Each child who lifts off the runway is part of a legacy built on curiosity, compassion, and the simple thrill of taking to the skies.

Adam loved to fly. Thanks to the foundation that carries his name, that passion now fuels the dreams of a new generation.