Thousands of young people will 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, which has flown more than 1.1 million young people
free of charge since its inception in July 1992.
Each year since 1994, approximately 10,000 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.
More than 37,000 pilots have volunteered to support the program
including current program chairman Harrison Ford. The well-known
actor and aviator has personally flown nearly 200 Young Eagles and
is an outspoken advocate for the program.
"Aviation has provided me enjoyment and challenges," Ford said.
"Flying can be a great teacher and motivator for young people. I
encourage my fellow EAA members to give the gift of flight to a
young person, especially on International Young Eagles Day. It is
certainly an experience you'll both remember."
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.
The Young Eagles concept has been so successful became it's
simple. A young person between the ages of eight and 17 is matched
with a volunteer pilot. The pair then does a preflight
"walk-around" of the aircraft, where the pilot explains the parts
of the airplane and how they work. After reviewing the preflight
safety checklists that pilots use prior to every flight, the pair
takes off for a brief flight (typically 15-20 minutes) to
experience the true sensation of flying an airplane.
After landing, the young person receives a Young Eagles
certificate signed by the pilot and Harrison Ford. The new Young
Eagle's name is then entered into the "World's Largest Logbook"
that is on permanent display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in
Oshkosh, Wis.
This year, Young Eagles are also encouraged to explore a new www.youngeagles.org
website designed especially for them. Along with the World's
Largest Logbook, the Young Eagles website is filled with
interactive activities, games, aviation information and much more
to support aviation interest among young people.
"Young people still have enormous curiosity about flying," Ford
said. "I'm an active Young Eagles pilot because I know it makes a
tremendous difference to these youngsters, not only because of what
they learn during the flight, but the possibilities that are opened
to them through our volunteers' efforts. That's why I urge every
pilot to be a part of the Young Eagles program."