On the Wings of Young Eagles

By Donia Moore

(Donia Moore)The magic carpet shot into the sky like an arrow heading straight and true into the heart of the young adventurers on board. They were taking their premier step to becoming Young Eagles, and they were in their first small aircraft ride. Eyes grew larger and stomachs grew tighter with the excitement of flying above the clouds for the first time in a small plane. They would never forget the feeling of euphoria brought on by their 20 minutes of freedom from the ground as the plane climbed to altitude. When asked how long he’d like the flight to last, one young potential aviator said “forever!”

Hands on the Controls

Robert Baker, an FAA Safety representative and veteran EAA Young Eagles host pilot understands that sentiment. He has been involved with the Young Eagle program in Southern California for close to 10 years, personally flying “first flights” for nearly 200 kids. “1.9 million Young Eagles have safely enjoyed flying through the Experimental Aircraft Association program since its start in 1992,” says Robert. The Young Eagles program was designed to give children from the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane. Spearheaded by donations and help from EAA’s network of volunteer pilots, this program is offered free of charge with the goal of educating our next generation about the possibilities in the aviation field. For many, their first flight is the beginning of their journey towards a career as a pilot, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, or other aviation related possibilities. Interest in the program is growing. EAA is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis. Local chapters are located in all 50 states and many countries. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts.  

(Donia Moore)Yanks Air Museum in Chino, Calif. recently hosted approximately 100 young enthusiasts at an EAA planned and sponsored Young Eagles event. Held four times a year at different locations, the program offers a checklist of activities, taking the young flyers on tours of the museum’s extensive collection. The day includes actual flying time in an aircraft with a volunteer pilot. Hands-on workshops range from mock-ups of instrument panels with real instruments that students can ask questions about and explore, to navigation and chart reading activities, and introduction to pre-flight inspection checks of aircraft. One station is all about soaring, where students make and fly their own glider models to learn about lift, drag, weight and thrust. Other stations introduce them to the wealth of career opportunities available in the aviation field.

The pilots participating in the Young Eagles program are members of local EAA chapters who volunteer their time and aircraft to make the student flights possible. Each pilot is licensed by the FAA (or governing organization outside the U.S., such as Transport Canada) and all aircraft are licensed by the government.

First Flight, Lifelong Connection

That first flight is only the first step in the EAA program, but it can lead to a lifelong connection. “Once a student has experienced five or more flights, the odds are 30 percent greater that that student will keep flying or pursue an aviation career of some type,” said Robert. Before they ever get into the plane, the volunteer pilot gives the young passengers a thorough briefing about what happens during the flight. Students review aeronautical charts (maps) with the pilot to become familiar with the area they will be flying over and what landmarks to watch for. Students follow the pilot on a “walk around” preflight check of the aircraft, where the pilot will point out the various parts of the aircraft and what they control in flight.

Once they all climb into the airplane, the pilot explains the interior of the aircraft. Students learn to operate the aircraft door, safety belts, and take a “tour” of the instrument panel.

As they ready for takeoff, the pilot explains the final pre-flight, engine run-ups and importance of passengers remaining quiet while the pilot is communicating with the tower for take-off instructions.

And they’re off! If time and desire permits, students may get to handle the controls and discover the amazing feeling of finding that the airplane can be controlled with such a light two-fingered touch!

That first flight may only last from 15 to 20 minutes, but the memory lasts a lifetime.

Every student receives his or her own logbook and a personal code to activate a free EAA Student Membership. Membership includes a free online subscription to the EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, e-newsletters, free admission to more than 300 science and technology museums, free membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and much more. Young Eagles also receive an opportunity to participate in a Learn to Fly Course – an online course that uses real-world video and 3D animation to teach the basics of flight. Once they take and pass their FAA written exam, EAA will even reimburse the cost of the exam.

Young Eagles Academy

For further exposure to the world of aviation, students can attend the EAA Basic Air Academy, a weeklong camp held in Oshkosh, Wis. Fourteen and 15-year-olds’ “Hands-on” adventures occur during classroom and media sessions, along with specialized laboratory activities, and aviation-related demonstrations. Students learn about the intricacies of a fabricated wing by building an ACRO-Sport Wing Rib, building and flying a simple balsa glider and a rubber-powered model, how model rockets are flown and controlled, the basics of flight through an interactive computer simulator ground school, and about aviation history and flight. EAA Scholarships are often available for students who want to attend.

Opportunities Through Local Girl and Boy Scout Programs

Once a Young Eagle has stepped through the looking glass, there are a number of experiences available through Girl and Boy Scout programs, each intended for a range of student ages. Though not part of the Young Eagle program, the Scout programs offer an alternative way to keep up the interest in aviation.

Aviation Explorer Scouts

This aviation-based program is for young men and women ages 14 through 20, through the Boy Scouts of America. It is built around aviation interest, whether for a career or a lifelong hobby. Aviation Explorer Posts meet on a regular schedule. Posts often belong to flying clubs, FAA installations, EAA chapters, FBOs, airlines, CAP squadrons, or other organizations interested in having a positive affect on young people.

Girl Scouts Aviation Merit Badge

This program explores the possibilities of or women in technology and career opportunities in aviation and aerospace. It satisfies six or more of the 10 requirements for the Girl Scout Aerospace Badge.

Boy Scouts Aviation Merit Badge

Boy Scouts pursue and complete their Aviation Merit Badge with the program’s aviation experiences. Qualified participants receive the Boy Scouts Application for Merit Badge endorsement by one of EAA’s Aviation Merit Badge counselors.

Webelos and Cub Scout Program

This program is full of fun exercises to help Webelos or Cub Scouts experience aerospace. Programs provide for a museum tour (one hour) and a “Paper Pilot” Project, a one and a half-hour adventure that includes activity-based explorations of the four forces of flight.

For young aviators, from first flight to lifelong love of flying – it’s a direct connection.

Want more? Contact your local EAA chapter host at  www.eaa.org. You can also contact www.girlscouts.org , or www.scouting.org for their aviation programs.

About the writer: Donia Moore is a Rusty Pilot and freelance writer for “iwrite words Writing and Editing Service”