Young Eagles take wing in flight program

Is there really a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than flying? The Young Eagles program, part of the Experimental Aircraft Association, is hoping they can persuade young people that the answer is no.

   

2017-07-05 / Front Page Young Eagles take wing in flight program By STEPHEN SEITZ Wendy Holt of Springfield was prepped and ready for her flight at the Young Eagles program on June 24 in Springfield. — STEPHEN SEITZ PHOTO Wendy Holt of Springfield was prepped and ready for her flight at the Young Eagles program on June 24 in Springfield. — STEPHEN SEITZ PHOTO SPRINGFIELD — Is there really a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than flying? The Young Eagles program, part of the Experimental Aircraft Association, is hoping they can persuade young people that the answer is no. The Young Eagles offers youth ages 8 through 17 a chance to experience their first airplane ride for free. On June 24, they came to Hartness Airport in Springfield. “The whole idea comes from the fact that we’re really short on pilots,” said Rutland resident and pilot Jennifer Jacob. “They’re retiring en masse, and they’re not being replaced. So we want to get the kids into airplanes for a 15- to 20-minute ride, and a little physics lesson.” Doug Hart, an EAA volunteer from Hartland, said he was hooked on flying since his first ride in a plane in 1946. He said he hopes some of the 50 kids who came to the rally get the bug, too. “I used to belong to a flying club in Bridgeport, Connecticut,” he said. “My wife was my co-pilot; she handled the radio. I was once on a flight piloted by Sully Sullenberger. He’s active in EAA.” Sullenberger is famous for successfully landing an airliner in the Hudson River during an emergency, and getting all his passengers off unharmed. Wendy Holt, age 14, came to give a flight a try. “I did take a plane ride when I was little,” she said. “Today, I’m just trying it out. I don’t know if I’ll want to do it again or not. I like the science.” Wendy’s mother, Lenora, said her daughter found out about the Young Eagles at school. “I let her go on a Fourth of July flight when she was four or five,” she said. As to whether she would like to take a flight sometime, Lenora replied, “No. I’m scared of heights.” The Young Eagles program was founded in 1992. EAA claims to have introduced several million kids to flying. Those interested can follow up with the Young Eagles Flight Plan program to learn more about aviation. The program offers a free flight lesson, an online training program, and scholarships for those students who want to pursue aviation as a career. Based in Oshkosh, Wisc., EAA has 200,000 members and promotes recreational aviation. Details can be found at their website, www.eaa.org.