Safety First Provides Valuable Lesson For Youngsters

The EAA Chapter 534 at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) in Leesburg, Florida, had a Young Eagles rally scheduled for young people on January 4, 2025, but at the last minute had to cancel it due to gusty high winds the disappointed a lot of them, but also provided a valuable lesson in emphasizing the bedrock principle of safety first in aviation.

However, a number of chapter members jumped in to save the day with alternate activities to give the kids (and disappointed pilots) at least a consolation prize and some positive vibes to soften their understandable letdown.

Chapter Vice President John Weber taxied his Kitfox to the front of the hangar and presented a demonstration of how to preflight an airplane. Other chapter members gave descriptions and details of some of the other aircraft building projects going on in the hangar.

Turns out, the big hit of the day for the kids was taking turns operating the two flight simulators under the supervision of EAA chapter pilots. These fun experiences taught them how easy it could be to control an airplane in flight.

EAA Chapter 534 runs Young Eagles flights the first Saturday of each month, and always stresses safety first before the fun, so the cancellation was an important first lesson in establishing that mindset. All the kids who signed up for this rally were invited to come back in February.

FMI:  www.eaa.org/