By Aleta*

Harrison Ford, Cliff Robertson, General Joe Engel and General Chuck Yeager, we know they're all pilots but did you know they also volunteer with the EAA Young Eagles program?

The EAA Young Eagles program is designed to inspire young people, ages 7 - 18, to spread their wings into aviation. From the programs first flight, right here at Wittman Field in 1992, the enrollment has ballooned from 8 thousand at the end of 1992 to near 8 thousand per month.

The Young Eagles flights take place in over 90 countries, with over 34 thousand pilots, using aircraft ranging from ultralights to warbirds but the mighty high-wing Cessna lays claim to about 25% of the more than 945,950 flights to date. The goal is one million flights by the anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight. The program's success is due to the generosity of the pilots and ground people who volunteer their time as well as the generous financial support of companies like Jaguar (a division of Ford Motor Company).

Two Young Eagle ride recipients here at Oshkosh recounted their experiences. Drew Baird, who was terrified of airplanes when he was younger, heard an announcement for free airplane rides at Raleigh-Durham Airport. Facing his fear he was taken aloft in a Cessna. The pilot allowed him to fly; Drew's fear was over. He thought "it was amazing that a stranger would give his time and fuel." He stepped on over to the giving side of the Young Eagles program working ground. The day Drew earned his Private ticket was also the day he flew his first Young Eagle. "It's not about the millionth Young Eagle, it's about sharing the love." Karrie Shank had planned to become an architect but the plane flight to the architectural school changed that. Her Young Eagles flight in May 2001 was in a Cessna and by the end of the month she was taking flying lessons. In June of this year she earned her instrument certificate. She is currently studying aviation at the University of Ohio. Here at AirVenture she is giving Young Eagles their first taste of aviation.

General Chuck Yeager became Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program in 1994. The DC-3 "Gooney Bird" was the aircraft he flew his first Young Eagles in. Yeager says this of the program "to see the expression on their faces was invigorating."

Some of the other aircraft he has used to get the kids "interested in aviation" are the P-51 Mustang, Tripacer, Cub and Trimotor. Yeager, who has been an active participant in the aviation evolution for 60 years (from the Mustang era to F-15's), says his most memorable Young Eagles flight is a combined EAA and Make-A-Wish (sponsored by US and Canadian customs) flight. Many of the young (ages 6-14) terminal cancer patients request a ride with General Yeager. Off they go in a Ford Trimotor. Yeager acknowledges "to see their wonderful attitude and knowing that they won't be here in a year, really gets to you."

The feelings on Young Eagle flights are echoed by other EAA volunteer pilots. "I don't know who enjoys it more, the kids or me!" "It is like writing AVIATION on the blank page of a youth's mind." To become part of the extraordinary team of individuals who volunteer as part of the EAA Young Eagles, you need an EAA membership.

FMI: www.EAA.org, www.YoungEagles.org