By Bernie Wunder, EAA 128167/AMA 984592
EAA developed a program called Young Eagles Build and Fly (YE B&F) to keep youths involved in aviation after a Young Eagles flight. The idea was that the EAA chapter would team up with the local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) club to build and then actually fly a radio-controlled (RC) model airplane at a local airfield. EAA sells a complete model kit with tools, electronics, simulators, and more at a very reasonable price to EAA chapters to promote the program.
EAA Chapter 478 conducted a YE B&F summer camp in 2024 and came away with two key lessons learned: more flying time was desired, and that each Young Eagle should build his or her own airplane to take home. In the fall of 2025, Chapter 478 asked the local AMA club, the Patuxent Aeromodelers, to assist our chapter in a YE B&F summer camp in 2026 while trying to address the issues of flying more and having each Young Eagle taking home their own airplane. Eight YE B&F kits were purchased, and a schedule was drafted for a summer camp in June 2026.
The EAA YE B&F kit changed RC models from the balsa wood one used in 2024 to a foam and hot glue model called the Flite Test Super Scout XL. This made it possible to speed up construction time of the model. The draft construction plan was as follows: conduct classroom sessions on aerodynamics, stability and control, RC model basics and components, and then practice cutting and hot gluing foam on the first day. The second day would focus on building the wing, the third day constructing the fuselage, and the fourth and fifth day would consist of going to the RC model airfield in the mornings to actually fly RC training models and then completing any final assembly/checkout of the Scout model in the afternoons. On the final day (Saturday), everyone would meet at the RC model airfield with parents and friends to witness first flight of eight RC Scout models. It was also decided to charge a $100 camp fee to encourage parents to follow through on their kids attending the camp once registered.
One of the main concerns was safety. These rather large RC models contained a LiPo battery and a propeller that could cause damage. To mitigate this risk, a significant amount of time was spent planning to educate both the youth participants and their parents. The emphasis was on the fact that we were no longer dealing with toys!
Recruitment for the eight summer camp participants started in April 2026 when Chapter 478 and the Patuxent Aeromodelers conducted a one-day Young Eagles Workshop at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum building the Flite Test Glider model, using the construction methods planned for the summer camp. From this workshop, four of the participants registered for the June 2026 B&F summer camp. Additional one-on-one recruitment resulted in two Civil Air Patrol and two Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Simulator youth operators registering for the summer camp, which resulted in eight Young Eagles from ages 10-15 years old for the summer camp.
On Monday, June 22, eight Young Eagles checked into the terminal building at St Mary’s Airport (2W6) to build and fly a Flite Test Scout RC model airplane. The Flite Test models are built by watching video instructions. The construction plan previously developed was followed under the leadership of senior EAA/AMA instructors. The video was played, the construction step was practiced, and then the hot glue applied. Standing beside each of the eight Young Eagles was an adult mentor to assist and ensure the step-by-step instructions were followed. The first three days went as planned and then on the mornings of the fourth and fifth days (Thursday and Friday) everyone met at the Patuxent Aeromodelers’ model airfield (Helwig Field) to fly trainer models under the instruction of senior RC model instructors. In the afternoons, it was back to the airport terminal building to finalize construction of the Scout XL models, and complete tasks such as transmitter binding, weight and balance, passing a PC simulator landing test without crashing, and taking a knowledge test. On Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., a group photo was taken, and then eight Scout RC models went home with the Young Eagles who had built them.
Saturday morning, everyone met at Helwig Field. The weather was threatening but winds were calm and the cloudy skies made it perfect for flying RC models for the first time. After introductory remarks from the presidents of Chapter 478 and Patuxent Aeromodelers club, a panel of “judges” awarded an airplane RC kit to the Gold and Silver “Lindy” winners for overall best performance of building and flying during the week. Then the moment arrived that everyone had been waiting for: the first Scout model taxied onto the runway, took off, proceeded to fly the traffic pattern, and safely landed. This was repeated seven more times, and guess what? All eight models successfully flew and landed safely. By the end of the day, each Young Eagle was conducting multiple solo flights under the watchful eyes of the RC model flyer instructors. Only one model went into the trees but was successfully recovered by a team of Young Eagles helping their fellow flyers.
Overall, it was a great team effort by EAA and AMA members to successfully complete the Young Eagles Build and Fly program and a very rewarding week to see so many young people excited and involved in the world of aviation. This event safely accomplished all of our summer camp B&F goals and more. Pictures of the weeklong event were posted on the EAA Chapter 478 website: Chapter 478 (EAA.org). Feedback from both the parents and Young Eagles was overwhelmingly positive.
Was the mission accomplished? Definitely yes — eight Young Eagles took home eight RC models they built and flew — a perfect 8 FOR 8!
