By Gary Brossett, EAA Chapter 677 President
The Young Eagles Flight Plan was developed to transition Young Eagles from the right seat (passenger) to the left seat (pilot). Here at Chattahoochee Valley EAA Chapter 677 in Columbus, Georgia, we promote the flight plan to area youths. We believe the plan separates those that are truly interested in aviation from those that enjoy a flight as they would their favorite ride at the county fair.
Krishna Krottapalli, EAA 1501356, took his first flight in a GA aircraft with our chapter on February 22, 2014. He flew with seasoned chapter Young Eagles pilot Ken Sines, EAA 453045. “I decided I wanted to pursue a career in aviation when my dad told me about the Concorde aircraft,” Krishna recalled.
Fast forward to 2022, and Krishna made his way back to our chapter for another Young Eagles flight, at a more mature age of 15. “I’d been in a commercial airliner before that, but seeing the cockpit and the controls of the GA aircraft really solidified my lifelong interest of being a pilot,” Krishna said. This flight was in a Beechcraft S35 Bonanza.
After the flight, he immersed himself in the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course that is included in the flight plan, and he started volunteering with our chapter as a ramp safety escort at our monthly Young Eagles rallies. After completing the first few volumes of the Sporty’s course, he earned his first free flight lesson with chapter member CFI Matthew Bourguignon, EAA 1459525, then went on to complete the entire Sporty’s course.
He began flight training in May 2024 with chapter member Don Neuberg, EAA 775810, and earned his private pilot certificate April 2025.
Fast forward to our March 28, 2026, Young Eagles rally, and Krishna signed on to support Mission 2.5 by flying his first Young Eagles. His introduction was not without challenges. A frontal system approaching from our north threatened our rally with 15 mph winds and peak gusts to 26 mph. A day prior to the event, EAA HQ notified us that a severed fiber line rendered EAA web services unavailable, which includes the Young Eagles Chapter Events Management system.
The morning of the rally, the system was restored and the winds were calmer than forecast. Krishna added a few milestones to the Young Eagles Flight Plan…Young Eagles volunteer, private pilot, and Young Eagles flight leader.
Krishna is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation science and management at Middle Georgia State University where he’s working through stage two of his instrument rating. Learn more about Chapter 677’s youth programs.