EAA Photo – Cindi Pokorny with a Young Eagle
EAA’s Young Eagles program continues to make an impact in aviation, as more than 50,000 young people received flight experiences from 4,250 volunteer EAA-member pilots between October 2024 and October 2025. This period also saw 970 pilots fly a Young Eagle for the first time.
“Our network of Young Eagles pilots, ground volunteers, and chapter coordinators who volunteer their time to share the magic of flight truly are the backbone of the program,” said David Leiting, EAA Eagles Program Manager. “We are always looking to expand and strengthen this network as we approach the milestone of 2.5 million Young Eagles flights in 2026.”
Since the program’s launch in 1992, more than 2.4 million young people have received free introductory flights from volunteer EAA-member pilots. October 2025 marked the beginning of the Mission 2.5 campaign, encouraging pilots to help reach 2.5 million total Young Eagles flown by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. Pilots who “Fly 25 for 2.5” before July 31, 2026, will be awarded a limited-edition cap to commemorate their achievement. Three pilots have already reached the milestone as of December 1, 2025.
Many Young Eagles continue to pursue aviation dreams through EAA’s resources available following their introductory flight. A total of 465 Young Eagles passed FAA written exams between October 2024 and October 2025 while another 200 earned a free flight lesson voucher for completing the first three volumes of the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
More information on the Young Eagles program and Mission 2.5 is available at EAA.org/YoungEagles.
The EAA Young Eagles program is presented by Phillips 66 with additional support from Sporty’s, United Airlines, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Garmin, Lightspeed, Academy of Model Aeronautics, Global Aerospace, Junkers, and WACO Aircraft.
