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.