Since 1992, the Young Eagles program has given introductory flights to more than 2 million youths, inspiring them to get involved in the world of aviation. Saturday, June 9, was the 25th annual International Young Eagles Day. All across the country and the globe, thousands of youth and those passionate about sharing aviation took to the air. Some highlights included:
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Eighteen volunteers, a combination of staff and pilots from EAA headquarters, flew 38 Young Eagles in six different airplanes ranging from Cessna 172s to Skycatchers. The celebration was put on in collaboration with a charter school in Oshkosh, where the third grade students studied aviation as the theme for their yearlong studies. To conclude the school year, they earned their Young Eagles certificates.
“Flight is really just the beginning,” said Michelle Kunes, EAA’s Young Eagles program coordinator. “It is great for families to see how much of an impact aviation has on these kids and how far their passion takes them through Young Eagles.”
Timmins, Ontario, Canada
EAA Chapter 1126 flew 200 youths, the largest turnout in the chapter’s history. Children experienced flights that included a scenic view of the Timmins area.
“The objective is to promote aviation to young people, and we’re looking to expose young people to thrill and fun of aviation,” Marc Talbot, the past president of EAA Chapter 1126, told the Timmins Press.
Yankton, South Dakota
Over the past 24 years, EAA Chapter 1029 has flown more than 3,000 youths in southeastern South Dakota. This year, 30 young people participated in the free flights during the chapter’s Young Eagles rally at Chan Gurney Municipal Airport. One of the Young Eagles pilots at Saturday’s flights, Jake Hoffner, has personally given 470 children Young Eagles flights.
“It’s all about getting them excited about flying,” Christen Lacey, the chapter’s Young Eagles coordinator said to the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. “If we plant that seed right now, maybe one day they’ll want to fly in some capacity.”
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Ten planes and 10 volunteer pilots from EAA Chapters 1114 and 1047 took 111 youth for Young Eagles flights at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport. It’s been a few years since International Young Eagles Day was celebrated at the airport, but it returned in a big way this year.
“There’s nothing like seeing the smile of a kid going on an airplane for the first time,” Bob Cassell, Young Eagles coordinator for Chapter 1114, said in an interview with the Daily Reflector. “If no one introduced me to aviation I wouldn’t have known how great it was. Luckily, they did. I’m just trying to pass on what somebody did for me.”
Woodruff, South Carolina
The first Young Aviators Fly-in, held at the Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina, celebrated the next generation of aviators in a three-day long event. In collaboration with two EAA chapters in the Atlanta area, the fly-in hosted a Young Eagles rally on June 8 that flew 60 youths. Several EAA headquarters staff joined in flying Young Eagles, including Chapter Field Representatives David Leiting and Kyle Voltz, and Chapter Administrator Serena Kamps. The following day, attendees enjoyed Youth Day, which involved aviation colleges, clubs, and youth programs from around the country.
“Aviation has always been part of my life,” said Ryan Hunt, co-coordinator for the event and the Young Aviators Fly-In. “What greater way to share my passion than introducing others to aviation with a Young Eagles ride.”
A special thank you to all of the volunteer pilots and ground crew who made International Young Eagles Day a success!
Photos by Christina Basken and Connor Madison