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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe are in many ways making International Young Eagles Day\nthe restart point for the Young Eagles program after the COVID pandemic put\nmost flights on hiatus for the past year,\u201d said Jack J. Pelton, EAA\u2019s CEO and\nchairman of the board. \u201cOne thing that never faltered, though, was the\nenthusiasm of our volunteer pilots and ground support teams, who are eager to\nintroduce kids to the possibilities of flight once again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also expected to participate are both Young Eagles program\nco-chairmen \u2014 air show legend Sean D. Tucker and NFL tight end Jimmy Graham,\nwho are both avid pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many Young Eagles flights are part of EAA chapter activities, which bring numerous airplanes together to provide flight experiences to youth. While the Young Eagles flights are available for the young people, parents and families are welcome to join in the activities prior to and after the flights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYoung Eagles is a great program through EAA making it possible for a young people to get up close to a pilot and experience a ride in a small plane, unlocking the joy and desire of being a pilot and explore a career in aviation,\u201d said Rick Mestler, EAA Chapter 1114 Young Eagles Coordinator. Mestler noted that with 2020 behind and an optimistic outlook for the last half of 2021, preliminary planning has started to investigate hosting 2-3 Young Eagles rallies between August and November of this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An EAA Young Eagles flight pairs a young person with a\ncertificated pilot. After a pre-flight session that explains the parts of the\nairplane and how pilots prepare to fly safely each time, a brief 15-20 minute\nintroductory flight provides a unique experience. All Young Eagles receive a\ncertificate commemorating their adventure following the flight, and also\nreceive follow-up opportunities ranging from free learn-to-fly courses to more\naviation-related experiences that delve deeper into the world of flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChapter 1114 has adopted and enthusiastically supported the YE program since early in the Chapter\u2019s rich history,\u201d said Mestler. \u201cAs the Chapter has passed the 25-year mark and looking to the future, the Young Eagles\u2019 program is one of the components to attract and retain a diverse group of new aviators to the Chapter.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n