Young Eagle Day, a local celebration that affords young people the opportunity to learn about General Aviation, to fly and receive their wings, and have fun in the process, will be Saturday, April 20. Few have the opportunity to see the earth’s splendor from high above in the sky, and it is a totally different perspective of our planet, its rivers, farm lands and urban interface with the land and the environment.
Volunteer pilots from the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 351 in Enterprise will be cranking up their engines and giving free aircraft rides to offer this unique perspective to Young Eagles in the Wiregrass area on Saturday morning at Enterprise Municipal airport.
This biannual educational event gives 8 to 17 year-olds the opportunity to become Young Eagles and experience the thrill of flight through the volunteer efforts of local pilots. No experience or cost is required – only the desire to fly.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Enterprise Municipal Airport, and orientation flights will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A parent or guardian must be present at registration.
New this year will be static displays to allow Young Eagle enthusiasts to inspect aircraft that EAA members have built and flown. Attendees are encouraged to bring cameras to get pictures with the Red Baron’s bright red Fokker tri-plane from WWI, or sit in a modern sport airplane powered by a VW engine. All sorts of aircraft will be on display to delight the youngsters, and the ground school offers a unique hands-on experience to learn about airplanes and the aviation profession in general. There will be a mystery to be solved during the class, and parents are usually surprised when their children solve it before they do.
Young Eagles will also receive a complete safety and pre-flight briefing, and after takeoff will be allowed to follow along on the controls for a most memorable flight. After landing they will receive their wings, a logbook and certificate documenting their adventure, and a certificate to participate in a FAA-approved Private Pilot Ground School. They also receive a free Student Membership into the EAA with discounts and opportunities for further participation in the exciting world of flight.
The EAA Young Eagles program gives today’s young people the opportunity to experience the magic of flight for themselves. These educational flights are made possible by the generosity of volunteer pilots in our area who donate their aircraft, fuel and time to make this possible twice a year. There is no cost to participants.
Last year the local chapter flew 305 Young Eagles in November, contributing to the milestone of over 2,200,000 flown nation-wide.
For more information, contact the Young Eagles coordinator Aubri Hanson at 601-329-1334, e-mail acbarnet@hotmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at EAA Chapter 351 Enterprise.
The EAA is a non-profit association of aircraft builders, pilots, and enthusiasts who further the safety and excitement of grass-roots general aviation sport flying. The local EAA Enterprise Chapter 351 frequently holds community events and rallies, along with workshops and educational field trips for students. Chapter 351 President is Paul English, and he can be reached at 804-381-1244, or by e-mail at plenglishjr@gmail.com.