Demonstration Flights June 11th "Creating The Next Generation
Of Aviators"
Thousands of young people are expected to take to the sky on
Saturday, June 11, as EAA volunteers continue an outstanding
aviation tradition – International Young Eagles Day.
The annual event brings together kids and pilots as part of the
EAA Young Eagles program, the largest youth aviation education
program ever created. Young Eagles was founded in 1992 and has
provided more than 1.6 million free demonstration flights to young
people around the world through the efforts of 45,000 volunteer
pilots and 50,000 ground volunteers.
Each year since 1994, approximately 8,000 young people are flown
on or around International Young Eagles Day. The flights are
provided by volunteer EAA-member pilots in aircraft ranging from
the newest airplanes to vintage biplanes. Such interesting aircraft
as gliders, helicopters, and even hot air balloons and blimps have
also been used for Young Eagles flights.
Nearly 150 events are planned by local EAA chapters during this
weekend, not counting the many individual EAA members who will fly
Young Eagles independently.
“Thanks to the work of the volunteer EAA-member pilots and
ground volunteers, the Young Eagles program has proven to be
extremely successful in attracting young people to aviation and
helping them on the pathway toward becoming an aviator,” said
Rod Hightower, EAA president/CEO. “While Young Eagle flights
take place nearly every day of the year, International Young Eagles
Day is a chance to focus on the program and share the freedom to
fly with a new generation. Join us at an event near you as we grow
the next generation of aviators.”
Since 1992, the EAA Young Eagles program has flown more than 1.6
million young people free of charge. Recent internal
EAA research shows that these young people are five times more
likely to become pilots than non-Young Eagles. They also already
comprise more than seven percent of the nation’s pilot
population under age 35, as nearly 20,000 pilots are former Young
Eagles participants.
During International Young Eagles Day, pilots will fly young
people on individual flights or as part of Young Eagles flight
rallies, which often bring together hundreds of youngsters and
dozens of aircraft in many communities.
A Young Eagles flight is the first step in EAA’s Flight
Plan, which help young people move from an initial flight toward
the full potential of aviation. Among the menu of Flight Plan
activities available is a free EAA student membership, free access
to Sporty’s Online Pilot Training Course, a free flight
lesson, and reimbursement for the costs of a successful FAA written
test in addition to more than $300,000 in scholarships and awards
available to young people each year.