Build it and they will come. Rather, have something to build and they will come.

That’s what the Experimental Aircraft Association’s local chapter President Bob Jameison thought anyway, when he and his compatriots decided to construct a 1929 Pietenpol Aircamper, an open-cockpit design that can travel approximately 250 miles per trip, with a wooden frame made from airplane-grade spruce, and plywood.

“This truly is an island airplane,” said Ken Norris, a pilot and local EAA member. “So far, we got all of the frame materials right here on the island.”

One’s the son an F-94 pilot, another worked for commercial airlines, the leaders of the local EAA chapter have all been involved in building dozens of airplanes—with years of aviation experience, the goal for the older gentlemen who started the project is to get younger generations involved.

The chapter’s elders swell with pride when they speak of the high school students who have lent a hand to the Pietenpol build, including Levi Demaris, a 2014 Friday Harbor High School graduate, who now attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an esteemed college in Daytona Beach, Fla. Then there’s Matthew Stepita, another boy involved, who was selected as a Washington Aerospace Scholar in 2013.

With Demaris away at college, and Stepita busy with his senior year of high school—the local chapter hopes to recruit more adolescents.

“I’m one of the lucky people. I knew what I wanted to do, and I was able to do it.” Jamieson said. “My hope is that some of the younger guys find that.”

Already established in their careers, two Island Air pilots, each in their early 30s, are discovering they’re not the ‘young guys’ Jamieson is hoping will be inspired to pursue flying by becoming involved in the Pietenpole build.

Ashley Gosselin and Craig Bailey both dreamed of flying since they first turned double digits, and are living their dreams today. The project, however, inspires them to do something new.

Among the men who are somewhat of “serial” builders when it comes to airplanes—this is the first venture into airplane construction for Gosselin and Bailey.

So, when will the airplane be ready for take off? “It will fly when it will fly,” Jamieson said.

The project is underway at a leisurely pace, and Jamieson said you never put a departure date on these kind of things, as doing so introduces a great deal of pressure. The project is meant to be educational, but above all fun.

And if you help build it, you can fly it. That’s what Gosselin is looking forward to most, stepping back in time up in the sky.

“This goes back to what aviations used to be,” he said. “It’s so regulated these days. You used to see planes like this flying out there in the middle of nowhere all of the time.”

The local EAA members have been working on the plane for about two years. They meet once a week at the EAA hanger at the Port of Friday Harbor, for a few hours.

You don’t have to be a pilot or an airplane builder to participate, but an interest is key. What all those involved have in common is a fever for flying, a high fever.

Visit the chapter’s website, www.1411.eaachapter.org, for contact information.