Will Also Acknowledge Volunteer Pilots At AirVenture
On Thursay,
representatives with the EAA told Aero-News the Young Eagles
Program -- the most successful youth aviation education initiative
ever created -- is on track to fly a total of at least 1.25 million
Young Eagles by EAA AirVenture 2006.
The EAA -- which just celebrated 1.2 million Young
Eagles flights in the program's 15-year history at the end of
2005 -- is also committed to keeping the promise of
flight alive for the next generation with extensive activities in
2006 -- highlighted by Young Eagles volunteer recognition over the
next several months, as well as during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
2006.
"Young Eagles has been embraced throughout the aviation
community as the way to introduce flight to the next generation,
and that effort has been led by the 40,000 volunteer pilots and
similar total of ground volunteers who make it all possible," said
EAA president Tom Poberezny. "EAA members have always stepped
forward to meet a challenge. Our next goal is to reach the 1.25
million Young Eagles total by the time we all meet in Oshkosh this
summer, so together let’s make it happen!"
Through the weeks leading to EAA AirVenture 2006, the
organization will recognize those pilots who donate their time,
aircraft and fuel to opening the world of flight to young people
through these free flights. Each month in April, May, June and
July, pilots who submit completed Young Eagles registration forms
will be entered in drawings for valuable aviation-related
prizes.
In addition, the pilot of the 1,250,000th Young Eagle will be
invited to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 to receive formal
recognition, and the Young Eagle and his or her family will be able
to come along, too.
Special recognition
will also be given during AirVenture 2006 to Young Eagles pilots
who have dedicated themselves to securing the future of flight, as
well as those who flew the most Young Eagles during each of the
preceding four months. This salute will be in addition to the
annual Young Eagles volunteer awards announced at Oshkosh each year
that are presented by actor and pilot Harrison Ford, an EAA member
who has flown hundreds of Young Eagles as well.
As of April 13, 1,209,521 Young Eagles have flown in the
program, according to the Young Eagles website. That leaves 40,479
new pilots to go to meet the EAA's goal -- and the EAA's Dick
Knapinski knows exactly how to reach it.
"I'm going flying today," Knapinski, the EAA's Director of Media
Relations, told Aero-News. "How about you?"