July 26, 2006 marked a historic night for the EAA Young Eagles Program. During a presentation at AirVenture Oshkosh 2006, Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford, along with the Executive Director Steve Buss announced the exciting news that the 1.25 millionth Young Eagle had taken flight.

Larry Durst, a pilot from Roseburg, Ore., flew Tucker Morey, 14, of Little Creek, Oregon, on July 15 in his Cessna 182. Little did Durst know that Morey would become the 1.25 millionth Young Eagle, reaching the program's goal set for EAA AirVenture 2006.

Durst, from Roseburg, Ore., had already received the EAA Young Eagles Horizons Award on July 26, recognizing his achievements in the program. During the ceremony at the Theater in the Woods, Durst was asked to take center stage as Buss delivered the surprise announcement to the crowd. Ford congratulated Durst as the crowd erupted in applause.

"This sure has been a whirlwind for me," Durst said.

"The Young Eagles program has become a real passion in my life. In what other program can you provide flying and working with children?"

Beginning in 1992, Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 countries and have been flown by more than 40,000 volunteer pilots. The mission of the program is to give young people ages 8-17 the opportunity to fly in a general aviation airplane along with inspiring them to a future in aviation.

FMI: www.youngeagles.org