By Mathieu Labs, EAA Lifetime 678257, EAA Chapter 1710 President & Young Eagles Coordinator
On the afternoon of Friday, April 11, I had the privilege of completing my 400th Young Eagles flight. It took place in my Cessna 172 with EAA Chapter 1710 and marked a milestone that was as meaningful as it was memorable. My passenger that day was Chiara Lorini, a 17-year-old French foreign exchange student I met earlier this year during a presentation at the Clintonville Rotary. I had been invited to speak about our newly established chapter, and as fate would have it, that’s where I learned that Chiara aspires to become an airline pilot.
When I handed her the controls during the flight, her face lit up with excitement. She flew with an instinct and confidence that’s rare to see, executing straight and level flight and even performing turns around a point with natural ease. What was planned as a short introductory flight turned into nearly an hour in the sky, which is not unusual when I fly Young Eagles one-on-one. Witnessing Chiara’s enthusiasm in the air and her excitement afterward reminded me why I do this. She has an unmistakable gift for flying, and that’s not something I say lightly.
The Young Eagles program holds a special place in my heart. It offers young people an experience that can change the course of their lives, an introduction to aviation that many would never otherwise have the opportunity to explore. Watching a young person take the controls for the first time, and seeing that spark ignite, is one of the most rewarding parts of flying.
My own aviation story began in a similar way. In 1987, when I was just 1 year old, my grandpa gave me my very first airplane ride. That simple flight planted the seed. In 1993, I took my official Young Eagles flight, with my grandpa in the left seat once again, and from there, my path in aviation was set. I was fortunate to attend the EAA Air Academy three times, and over the years, I transitioned from eager student to passionate mentor.
Since 2010, I’ve helped organize Young Eagles rallies with various EAA chapters. While I don’t work in aviation professionally, it’s been a lifelong passion. Volunteering through the Young Eagles program gives me the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to me.
This journey hasn’t been a solo flight. I owe so much to those who helped me get here:
- My Grandpa Bob, who introduced me to aviation and took me on countless flights across Wisconsin in his Cessna 150. One of my proudest moments was returning the favor by flying him after I earned my certificate.
- My Parents, for encouraging my aviation dreams and joining me in volunteering at Young Eagles events.
- My Wife, Lauren, who shares my love of flying and is not only my co-coordinator for Young Eagles but also my favorite flying companion. We even got engaged in a Cessna 172 and made our wedding entrance in a Bell 47 helicopter at the EAA Eagle Hangar.
- Michelle Kunes, who first introduced me to the Young Eagles program and encouraged me to volunteer at Oshkosh.
- Scott Cameron, for his guidance and the valuable connections I made through the Air Academy.
- Sean D. Tucker, for recognizing my passion and telling me I have a gift for flying, an unforgettable moment that was capped off with a flight together in an Extra.
Reaching 400 Young Eagles flights is a milestone, but it’s far from the end of the journey. Each flight is a new opportunity to inspire, to share the joy of aviation, and to potentially change a life. I’m proud to be part of a program that’s making a real difference in the future of flight, and I can’t wait to see who climbs into the right seat next.