Young Eagles

The Young Eagles program was created in 1992 to provide an opportunity for kids ages 8 to 17 to take a flight in a general aviation airplane. The program set and made its goal of a million flights for kids by the centennial of aviation in 2003. 40,000 pilots in more than ninety different countries have volunteered their time and airplanes for the program.

Paul Rachels flew the 1.3 millionth Young Eagle on March 17, 2007.

On Sat the 19th of Nov, The Chapter flew 21 kids for EAA Young Eagles. Pilots in attendance were as follows: Jim Siemans, Mark Helley, John Hebbelman, Jim Erhart and Paul Rachels. Flights lasted anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes, the longer flights were due to a fouled deck at Somerton Airport. We were invaded by numerous Hot Air Balloons with one landing directly in the center of both runways. Pilots and other Young Eagles volunteers rushed to remove the balloons from the runways so that flights could continue. A good time was had by all.

Paul Rachels is our chapter's Young Eagles Coordinator.

For more info on the program, please visit the Young Eagles national website.