Young Eagles Free Airplane Rides (for kids)

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dgates80

Land of the lost
EAA Chapter 478 is hosting a Young Eagles Rally at St. Mary's airport from 0800 until Noon tomorrow, June 14th. Kids ages 7 to 17 are offered the opportunity to go flying with volunteer pilots in their private airplanes for a short introductory and educational flight. We'll also have hot dogs and sodas.

Parents will need to accompany their kids to fill out and sign the "permission slip" paperwork in the St. Mary's Airport terminal building.

If there is a huge turnout and a kid can't get a flight Saturday (or if the weather prevents flying) a signup / contact list sheet will be available and we'll arrange a flight on a different day -- hopefully this won't be needed.

Cost? It's FREE! The EAA Chapter 478 pilots donate their time, aircraft, and fuel for this national program (thanks guys!).

For more information on the Young Eagles program, see EAA Young Eagles
 
Cowgirl

Cowgirl

Well-Known Member
dgates80 said:
Thanks! Was it around here?
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Yes, we at St. Mary's. I think I was probably 12 or so. I remember flying over SHA in Leonardtown and thinking the trucks looked like Tonka trucks. :lol: I remember someone had a neat little red and white plane, and I almost flew in it, but I decided to go in a slightly bigger plane so I could sit with my brother.
 
D

dgates80

Land of the lost
CableChick said:
can the parent go up w/ the child?
Does the child have to be 7? Can they be 6 years and 1 month? :biggrin:
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The age rules are for practical reasons... kids under 7 generally are too young to "get it" and don't understand what's going on. Physical size is also an issue. Having flown several hundred YE flights, I find the "ideal age" kid to be about 14.

I have, from time to time, taken parents along. Normally not though, the child goes alone.

I also discourage pairing up "BFF's" because it turns into a social thing between them, and *somebody* gets the back seat. We try, aircraft seats / turnout permitting, to set up one on one "teachable moment" situations.

Great questions though... I encourage you to bring the 6 year old out to the airport anyway to see the planes and talk to the pilots, with a promise of "next year"!

-- dg
 
D

dgates80

Land of the lost
The weather is looking good tomorrow morning! We'll be watching the weather closely though and we may have to finish up a little early if the winds kick up or if thunderstorms roll in.... safety is paramount of course!
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
My son and I attended this AM. About 20 mintues from us walking in til he was doing a walkaround with the pilot, and off he went. He had an absolute blast, and wants to join the CAP. Everyone was topnotch, a great experience for him.

My thanks go out to everyone involved in this. :yahoo:
 
D1VA

D1VA

New Member
dgates80 said:
EAA Chapter 478 is hosting a Young Eagles Rally at St. Mary's airport from 0800 until Noon tomorrow, June 14th. Kids ages 7 to 17 are offered the opportunity to go flying with volunteer pilots in their private airplanes for a short introductory and educational flight. We'll also have hot dogs and sodas.

Parents will need to accompany their kids to fill out and sign the "permission slip" paperwork in the St. Mary's Airport terminal building.

If there is a huge turnout and a kid can't get a flight Saturday (or if the weather prevents flying) a signup / contact list sheet will be available and we'll arrange a flight on a different day -- hopefully this won't be needed.

Cost? It's FREE! The EAA Chapter 478 pilots donate their time, aircraft, and fuel for this national program (thanks guys!).

For more information on the Young Eagles program, see EAA Young Eagles
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:diva: Thanks for letting me know!
I took my son up there about 11am. Most of the people went earlier and had to wait. As for us, we only waited 5 minutes and off he went! It was amazing looking at his face before and after! The pilot (Don) was an awesome guy. My son will never forget this! The guys that pull this off for the kids,....pure angels!! :angel:
 
frequentflier

frequentflier

happy to be living
D1VA said:
:diva: Thanks for letting me know!
I took my son up there about 11am. Most of the people went earlier and had to wait. As for us, we only waited 5 minutes and off he went! It was amazing looking at his face before and after! The pilot (Don) was an awesome guy. My son will never forget this! The guys that pull this off for the kids,....pure angels!! :angel:
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It is always so great to hear positive comments- we will pass them on the the pilots involved. They all enjoy introducing young people to the world of aviation.
 
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