When it comes to aviation, Axel Jewett is turning out to be a chip off the old block.
Axel’s dad Chris Jewett is a former C-130 pilot with the United States Air Force. Now a financial advisor, Chris never lost his love of flying and he’s passing that passion down to his three-year-old son. It all started when the little boy spotted a Gee Bee peddle plane on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Facebook
Chris bought the kit to build the plane and set out to build it for Axel, hoping to have it done by Christmas. It was August 18th when father and son entered the work shop for the first time, and at that time the plane was little more than pieces of wood and complicated-looking diagrams.
Facebook
It’s a good thing Chris is a handy guy, because these instructions make the ones you get from IKEA look like child’s play. Undaunted, Chris got to work, and his adorable little helper was right by his side the whole time.
Facebook
The Fountain Hills, Arizona father updated his Facebook page with their progress for the next six months, keeping his friends and family apprised of the many stages of the small plane’s construction. In most pictures you can see the smiling child right there next to his dad, sanding, painting, and building his dream plane together.
Facebook
Just look at his beaming smile!
The push to get the plane done before Christmas came right down to the wire, but in the end Chris was able to get the plane painted and polished up for the big reveal.
Facebook
On Christmas morning, Axel was able to see his finished plane for the first time! Chris even got him a little captain’s hat for the big day.
Facebook
Facebook
“My son Axel driving his 1932 Gee Bee R2 pedal plane and looking really cute in his pilot outfit. He and I built this airplane together in our garage over six months before Christmas. Axel learned how to build, sand, paint and hopefully, I kindled a love for aviation in him.”
Facebook
What a fantastic project for both father and son! There’s simply no downside to spending quality time building something with your kids, and it’s even cooler when that something is as amazing as this peddle plane!
Check out Axel piloting his new Gee Bee plane in the video below, and be sure to share.
Share your story & inspire the world.
If you have an uplifting story we would love to hear about it! Share it with us here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.