100 Young Eagles to Soar from Southeast Aviation Expo
September 14, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – On Saturday, September 27, 2014, beginning at 9 a.m. the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 249 of Greenville, S.C. will offer free flights to the first one hundred 8 to 17 year-old youth that ask for a Young Eagles Flight at the Southeast Aviation Expo’s (SEAE) main registration area which will be near the Greenville Downtown Airport’s (GMU) main terminal located at 100 Tower Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29607.
The program is organized by Dale Ellis, Chapter 249’s Young Eagles coordinator.
Young Eagles flights are designed to give kids, who may never have a chance to fly, an approximately 20 minute ride: To experience the freedom of flight, that many people only dream about; to teach what real pilots do on the ground and in the air; and to give some a try on the aircraft’s controls! This experience can be the start of an exciting flight plan adventure designed to help aviation dreams take off!
Following the flight, participants will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, WI. The Logbook is also accessible on the Internet at www.youngeagles.org.
The new Young Eagle will have free access to Sporty’s Pilot Shop’s Complete Pilot Training Course which is an $199.99 value (recommended for children over 13). This interactive online course uses real-world video and incredible 3D animations to help teach the basics of flight. It can prepare students to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) written exam. Over 20,000 kids have already taken advantage of this opportunity. Then when they pass the FAA exam, EAA will reimburse them for the test cost of $150.
After completing the first three volumes of the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, the student will qualify for a free First Flight Lesson at a flight school of their choice, which is a $120 value. (Must be 14 to 19 years old to qualify). Once the entire Sporty’s program is completed, students will be eligible to apply for flight training scholarships (Must be 16 to 20 years old to qualify).
All Young Eagles are also offered a free EAA Student Membership until their 19th birthday. It includes a membership card, e-newsletters, member discounts, an electronic version of Sport Aviation Magazine and free admission to more then 300 science and technology museums, as well as, a free membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
The Young Eagles Program was created to give the next generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in the world of aviation. Since the program was launched in 1992, Volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.8 million young people. For many, it was the start of their journey to become a pilot, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller or to enter another aviation career. A recent EAA study found that: Young Eagles are five times more likely to become pilots, nearly 19,000 (7.3 % of all pilots) under 35 are former Young Eagles, 9% of them are female (current female pilot population is just 6%) and the older the youth is when taking the flight the more likely they are to become a pilot.
A Young Eagles airplane ride requires a biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian’s signature on a registration form. Unfortunately, step parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, neighbors etc… may not sign the release. Registration forms will be available at the event.
The flights are very dependent on the day’s weather. If the weather is deemed unsuitable for flying, unfortunately no make up day will be scheduled.
“This will be the first time that this cool event, which helps dreams take flight, will lift off from Greenville as part of the Southeast Aviation Expo!,” stated Joe Frasher, GMU’s Airport Director. “Mentoring of aviation’s future pilots, engineers, mechanics, designers and other industry professionals, is needed to maintain and build a thriving and airworthy community. Our hope is to reach youth, who have an unfulfilled desire to fly, that are missing the personal contact needed to ignite their interest in aviation. These kid’s are our industry’s future and their seeing the world from above can give them a whole new perspective on life, added Frasher. See and experience what pilots do on the ground and in the air with a free Young Eagles introductory flight!
EAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Local chapters are located in all 50 states and many countries. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts. They enjoy all types of airplanes, including “experimental” aircraft, those aircraft built by individual craftsmen, rather than in a factory. “Experimental” refers to the category of aircraft designed by the FAA for these types of airplanes. Similar to standard category aircraft, Experimental aircraft are certified airworthy by the FAA or a FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative. Additional information about EAA and the EAA Young Eagles program is available on the Internet. Access to EAA’s Home Page is available at www.eaa.org. The Young Eagles web page is www.youngeagles.org.
For more information about the SEAE, please visit http://www.scaaonline.
GMU is the busiest general aviation airport and third busiest airport overall in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn’t rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet Center, the largest Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25 other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy. For more information about GMU please visit http://www.
