Will Also Acknowledge Volunteer Pilots At AirVenture

On Thursay, representatives with the EAA told Aero-News the Young Eagles Program -- the most successful youth aviation education initiative ever created -- is on track to fly a total of at least 1.25 million Young Eagles by EAA AirVenture 2006.

The EAA -- which just celebrated 1.2 million Young Eagles flights in the program's 15-year history at the end of 2005 -- is also committed to keeping the promise of flight alive for the next generation with extensive activities in 2006 -- highlighted by Young Eagles volunteer recognition over the next several months, as well as during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006.

"Young Eagles has been embraced throughout the aviation community as the way to introduce flight to the next generation, and that effort has been led by the 40,000 volunteer pilots and similar total of ground volunteers who make it all possible," said EAA president Tom Poberezny. "EAA members have always stepped forward to meet a challenge. Our next goal is to reach the 1.25 million Young Eagles total by the time we all meet in Oshkosh this summer, so together let’s make it happen!"

Through the weeks leading to EAA AirVenture 2006, the organization will recognize those pilots who donate their time, aircraft and fuel to opening the world of flight to young people through these free flights. Each month in April, May, June and July, pilots who submit completed Young Eagles registration forms will be entered in drawings for valuable aviation-related prizes.

In addition, the pilot of the 1,250,000th Young Eagle will be invited to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 to receive formal recognition, and the Young Eagle and his or her family will be able to come along, too.

Special recognition will also be given during AirVenture 2006 to Young Eagles pilots who have dedicated themselves to securing the future of flight, as well as those who flew the most Young Eagles during each of the preceding four months. This salute will be in addition to the annual Young Eagles volunteer awards announced at Oshkosh each year that are presented by actor and pilot Harrison Ford, an EAA member who has flown hundreds of Young Eagles as well.

As of April 13, 1,209,521 Young Eagles have flown in the program, according to the Young Eagles website. That leaves 40,479 new pilots to go to meet the EAA's goal -- and the EAA's Dick Knapinski knows exactly how to reach it.

"I'm going flying today," Knapinski, the EAA's Director of Media Relations, told Aero-News. "How about you?"

FMI: www.youngeagles.org, www.eaa.org