By Bob Hartunian, EAA 529299
Back in 2021 after the COVID-19 issues, our EAA Chapter 768 in Apple Valley, California, ran a Young Eagles rally on a Saturday morning. I flew down from Big Bear in my Zenith 701 to give a ride to whoever showed up. The ladies in charge assigned a very reluctant teenage girl to me. She came to the airport with an entourage of family members that included two lap dogs, a baby, parents, brothers and sister, and at least one grandma. As I introduced myself, I could tell she was very reluctant to fly and was probably being pushed by the family to come.
I told her that flying was completely voluntary and that if she did not want to fly, no one would force her, especially me. That seemed to help, so I suggested that we walk out to the airplane and just take a look at it. The whole family followed us out. We walked around the airplane, and I knew she did not want to hear about what control surface did what. I suggested that she might try just sitting in the passenger seat, and, if she felt bad, we would go back to the office and that was nothing to be ashamed about. She sat and I pointed out some features of the airplane. I asked whether she felt OK, and she nodded. Told her it was like being in a car and she began a small smile. I asked if she wanted to try out the safety belts, and she slowly agreed, so I buckled her in with the words that she could stop anytime she felt uncomfortable. Then I went to my seat and buckled in.
I explained that the next step would be to start the engine and see the spinning prop and whether she wanted to proceed. I got another nod. The engine cranked, and I pointed out a few digital readings that she didn’t care about. I mentioned that the next step would be to taxi about a mile to the end of the runway and she could stop me anytime. We managed to get there and do a runup. I wasn’t sure whether I was doing the right thing because our next step would be takeoff. If she was anxious before, what would be her reaction to lifting off the ground?
I made the proper announcements, mentioned a sterile cockpit, and kept my right eye on her as we rolled on Runway 18 and lifted off. She didn’t make a peep. I climbed to 1,000 feet AGL and leveled off, hoping she was still with me. I told her about turns we would make, and she seemed to accept all this as we motored on. We flew a little away from the pattern so we could relax, and she was doing fine, even laughed at some joke I made.
With many other Young Eagles I have flown, for those interested in flying the airplane, I said they could put their hand on the central stick and they could feel the control movements as we made gradual turns. This kid began to actually enjoy herself, and, after a few minutes, I told her she was flying the airplane. She made turns and then we added climbs and slow descents.
This young lady was really doing well. She went from pure apprehension to flying the airplane herself!
Finally, I figured we should head back and land. When we taxied to the parking place and got out, she exited the door and stood facing her family. She stood up straight and said, “I want to be a pilot.” And that is what Young Eagles is all about!
Editor’s Note: Bob’s story of his reluctant Young Eagle is a perfect demonstration of the paradigm shift that can occur through a Young Eagles flight. What made this story even better was Bob’s patience with the young girl and his assurance that he would not force her into the flight. Kudos, Bob!