Mark Your Calendar!
EAA volunteers and chapters around
the world will continue an aviation tradition a week from Saturday
(June 13), as they give flights to young aviation enthusiasts on
the 16th annual International Young Eagles Day (IYED). The annual
event brings together kids and pilots as part of the EAA Young
Eagles program, which with nearly 1.5 million kids flown since
1992, is the largest youth aviation education program ever
created.
Since 1994, thousands of young people have been flown annually
on International Young Eagles Days, making it the most active
flying day for the year-round program. There are more than 125 IYED
events planned around the world, according to Steve Buss, Young
Eagles executive director.
"We're very pleased with the continuing support EAA members
provide for International Young Eagles Day," Buss said. "While
Young Eagle flights take place nearly everyday of the year, IYED is
a chance to focus on the program and enjoy the freedom to fly and
share that freedom with a new generation."
More than 42,000 volunteer EAA-member pilots and 50,000 ground
volunteers make the program possible, providing flights in aircraft
ranging from the newest airplanes to vintage biplanes.
New this year is the addition of Sporty’s “Next
Step.” New Young Eagles will receive a custom Young Eagles
logbook and free access to Sporty’s Complete Pilot Training
Course. Both items are made possible through the generosity of
Sporty’s Pilot Shop. In addition, the names of Young Eagles
and their flight information are entered in to the "World's Largest
Logbook" on permanent display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and on the web.
Program Chairman, actor Harrison Ford, has personally flown
nearly 300 Young Eagles and encourages fellow EAA members to give
the gift of flight. "I'm an active Young Eagles pilot because I
know it makes a tremendous difference to these youngsters, not only
because of what they learn during the flight, but the possibilities
that are opened to them through our volunteers' efforts," he
said.
During International Young Eagles Day, pilots take young people
between the ages of 8 and 17-years-old on individual flights or as
part of Young Eagles flight rallies. The pilot does a preflight
"walk-around" of the aircraft with the child, explaining the parts
of the airplane and how they work. After reviewing the preflight
safety checklists, the pair takes off for a brief flight to
experience the true sensation of flying an airplane.