Mentors

YOUNG AVIATORS 43

Our Chapter's Mentors

Scott Serani
Co-founder and Mentor

Mr. Scott Serani holds dual degrees from the University of Dayton in Business and Computer Science. Scott’s has spent the last 25 years working in the field of security system design and administration. He has six patents on hardware and software to manage mechanical locks for clients, regardless of the business’ keyed environment’s complexity.

Passion for aviation has led Mr. Serani to serve as the EAA Chapter 43’s president, volunteer in the EAA Young Eagles program, and volunteer to work with children at air shows, including KidVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Scott and his son Eric, co-founder, built a Vans RV10 when Eric was 17. The project took them 2 years and he describes it as “the best bonding experience a father and son could possibly script – we are best friends”.

Jeff Jones
Young Aviators Co-Chairman

Mr. Jeffery Jones holds degrees in Psychology from Colorado College and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado. Jeff spent 40 years working in Oil and Gas, managing oil and gas projects in seven states and numerous basins taking projects from conception through drilling, completion, and production. In 2001 Jeff completed his private pilot’s license and completed building a RV 7A in 2015. He has been active and Young Aviators since 2017 and has attended AirVenture every year since. Jeff enjoys anything to do with STEM and watching YAers expand their knowledge and passion for aviation. His personal goal is for the program to be a life changing event for four or five kids a year.

Andy McRae
Mentor

A private pilot and architect, Andy enjoys combining his design communication skills with his love of aviation. In his role as an architect, he has led design teams on projects ranging from private homes to higher education campuses and resort hotels including Disney’s Explorers Lodge in Hong Kong. Andy began volunteering with Young Aviators in 2021, and has been involved with projects including mentoring members with rubber-powered aircraft design, construction and flight test as well as the Young Aviators ‘Buckshot’ full-size static display aircraft. He draws inspiration seeing kids “take off” when given a little knowledge and encouragement to try something new. Outside of Young Aviators, Andy enjoys sharpening his taildragger skills in his PA-12 Super Cruiser and is involved in several homebuilding projects including a Viking Dragonfly, a turbo Onex, and the design of an all-original, single-seat wood aircraft inspired by the race planes of the golden age of aviation.

Eric Serani
Co-founder and 3D CAD Mentor

Eric Serani holds a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering from CU Boulder where he was recognized as the Distinguished Senior of Aerospace Department. He left Broomfield High School as the Valedictorian and having been recognized at The Denver Post’s “Top Kid”. His engineering experience includes serving as a Configuration Design Engineer for Boeing’s 737 MAX.

Eric also has an entrepreneurial drive that has taken him through a couple of startup companies: One that designed and flew a hybrid gas-electric UAV engine, and another that designed and built the world’s most power dense alternators. Today, together with two of his aviation buddies, Eric owns and operates an aviation-themed brewery in Denver called FlyteCo Brewing.

Eric has volunteered for many years in the aviation community. He flies the RV10 he built with his dad for the monthly Young Eagles Rally sharing his knowledge from his many pilot certifications with kids who want to be pilots!

Scott and Trice McEwen
Design Engineer & Hosts

Mr. Scott McEwen holds a B.S. from Valdosta State College in Applied Math with a Computer Science emphasis. He retired from the U.S. Geological Survey after 30 years and is currently performing various forms of contract work, although he spends the majority of his time as a volunteer. Trice is on her 31st year at U.S. Bank and is currently a telecommunications specialist.

Scott and his wife, Patrice (“Trice”), volunteer for various aviation and robotics organizations. Scott is the Design Engineer for the Young Aviators B-25 Project. He and Trice provide their hangar and home for B-25 Project.

Together, Scott and Trice use their time and resources to provide students of all ages with hands-on opportunities to explore their interests in STEM, enabling these students to make informed decisions about their education and careers.