Utah’s Chapter 23 Flies 11,000th Young Eagle on 9-11 National Day of Service

Utah’s Chapter 23 Flies 11,000th Young Eagle on 9-11 National Day of Service

In support of the National Day of Service, and in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001, Utah’s EAA Chapter 23 held a Young Eagles rally at Skypark Airport (KBTF) near Bountiful, Utah. Giving rides to more than 30 youths before inclement weather ended the rally early, Chapter 23 passed a major milestone giving Young Eagles ride number 11,000! Founded in 1956, Chapter 23 has continuously held Young Eagles events since the program launched in 1992.

Eight-year old Sierra, daughter of Natalie and Dustin Godnick of Taylorsville, Utah, just happened to get paired with pilot Wendy Lessig, EAA Lifetime 823731, in her modified Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser as Chapter 23’s 11,000th Young Eagle. “Sierra has a bunch of friends at school who love Harry Potter. One of the other parents said, ‘I can’t teach them how to fly on broomsticks, but I can give them a way to fly on a plane,’” Sierra’s mother, Natalie said. “This is such an amazing experience for these kids. My twins will never forget this. I’m so grateful for this program and what they do!”

Just a week later on Saturday, September 18, 2021, Sierra was a guest of honor, with her parents, at a chapter open house and BBQ at the Provo, Utah Airport (KPVU). The annual open house was an opportunity to showcase progress on a major restoration project where chapter members and other volunteers are now in their 10th year restoring a 1944 A-26 Invader. “We just thought this was a neat occasion,” said Chapter 23 President Max Cloward, EAA Lifetime 1113914. “The turnout was excellent, the bomber has its wings, the food was great, and to present a special certificate of recognition to Sierra was awesome!”

Have you reached a milestone recently? Passed a checkride, given your first or hundredth Young Eagles flight, flown your homebuilt for the first time? Tell us about it at EAA.org/Submissions.

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