Actor And Pilot Leaves Lasting Legacy With Young Eagles
Program
One brief segment of the activities
that surrounded the changing of the guard for EAA's Young Eagles
program September 29th may leave the most enduring legacy.
Jim and Angela Thompson, longtime EAA members and supporters,
announced their establishment of an endowment to EAA to help fund
scholarships in Harrison Ford's name for young people on the path
to becoming a pilot. They explained that the endowment amount would
match contributions from other donors up to $100,000, creating a
scholarship fund of as much as $200,000.
"As EAA Young Eagles chairman for five years, Harrison Ford
invested a big commitment of his time. He made a wonderful
contribution to the general aviation community," said Jim Thompson,
a pilot for 27 years. "Angela and I would like to say 'thank you'
to Harrison for what he has done. This endowment is a way to put a
marker down to remember it by."
Beginning next year, EAA will begin
applying the dividends from the donations and the Thompsons'
matching contribution. These funds could be utilized toward
the cost of the FAA written pilot's exam, flight training,
attendance at EAA's Air Academy, and other pursuits including
college attendance - the purpose is to help youth achieve their
dreams of flight at whatever level the need exists.
Qualifying youth will have completed an EAA Young Eagles flight
experience and the follow-up companion program provided by Sporty's
Pilot Shop, the free online Sporty's Complete Pilot Training
Course.
"Some of the youth inspired by their EAA Young Eagles experience
will want to take their interest in aviation all the way. The
Harrison Ford scholarships will help them continue to participate
beyond the Sporty's training, with underwriting of training toward
a sport pilot or private pilot's license," said Elissa Lines, EAA
vice president of development.
"EAA's approach is to create a recipe for success by providing
not only financial aid in the form of scholarships but also
encouragement, mentoring, and guidance through the participation of
active EAA members at more than 1,000 EAA local chapters
worldwide," Lines added.
Several parties have expressed an interest in donating toward
the endowment fund, according to Lines. Her hope is that the
Thompsons' gift will inspire numerous donors. "EAA Young Eagles is
such a grassroots program, it would make sense for us to raise the
$100,000 that the Thompsons will match by securing $1,000 donations
from a hundred givers, or some smaller donations from more aviation
enthusiasts who believe in the value of the Young Eagles experience
for our young people," Lines said.
Assuming a five percent annual dividend on a $200,000 endowment
fund, the Harrison Ford EAA Scholarship will provide $10,000 each
year for the aforementioned purposes. EAA also manages similar
scholarship funds in the names of Ford's predecessor Young Eagles
Program chairs -- actor and pilot Cliff Robertson and aviation
legend Chuck Yeager -- and other donors.