EAA Announces 'Young Eagles' Program
By Geoffrey Styles
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a sister organization to the AMA under the umbrella of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). Both share the same goal: get youth interested in aviation.
"GET 1,000,000 young people in the cockpits of light airplanes in the next 11 years."
With those words, Tom Poberezny, president of the Experimental Aircraft Association, set the tone for a press conference held in Washington, D.C., on May 13, 1992. Using a conference room within sight of the White House, this ambitious program was presented to an audience of Congressmen, public officials from various agencies, and the media.
Citing statistics provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and quoting predictions from various agencies, Poberezny stated that interest in aviation was perilously low and could result in severe problems for the United States' aviation position. He urged all EAA chapters to support this program and asked everyone with an interest in aviation, regardless of scope, to get behind this national effort.
Poberezny said the nationwide effort, named the "Young Eagles" program, will be officially launched at the 1992 EAA Fly-In Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 31 to August 6. He went on to say:
"Young people hold the key to our future, and to direct their energy, enthusiasm, and potential into positive, fulfilling activities like aviation is to open doors to new and exciting horizons."
"This program offers young people a chance to become actively involved in aviation. In doing so, they will be challenged to look at the world from a new perspective and explore opportunities that transcend aviation. The Young Eagles Program is one of the most important efforts EAA has ever undertaken."
"Each Eagle Flight participant will experience the unique freedom made possible by flight. This experience will be shared by an EAA member who, as the pilot, will be called an Eagle Flight Leader."
"Our success depends a great deal on the commitment and dedication of these pilots, many of whom also had their first aviation experience at an early age. We will also consider partnership programs with other youth and aviation organizations."
Cliff Robertson, Honorary Young Eagles Chairman, actor, and aviator, joined Poberezny at the news conference. Robertson related how, in his youth in La Jolla, California, he would ride his bicycle 12 miles each way to help out at the local airport hoping to get a ride once a week. He washed airplanes, swept the floor, and carried anything just to be around airplanes and aviators. That is where his love of aviation developed into a lifelong enthusiasm. Robertson continued:
"Today those opportunities do not exist for most young people, and the level of enthusiasm for airplanes and flying is much too low. Other activities draw kids strongly and not always in good directions. This EAA program, which will end in the year 2003 (100th anniversary of powered, controlled flight), can help reverse a trend."
Program details
- Eligibility: Young people between the ages of 8 and 18 who participate in the flight portion of the Young Eagles program will become members of "Eagle Flight."
- Pilots: Volunteer pilots will be drawn from EAA's 130,000 members, including a network of about 720 chapters, to carry out individual flights.
- Purpose: Each flight is intended to provide a motivational aviation experience that could lead to future participation in aviation.
- Recognition: At the conclusion of the airplane ride, each participant will receive a commemorative certificate signed by the pilot.
- Logbook: The EAA Aviation Foundation will maintain "the world's largest logbook" at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh. The computer logbook will include the names of each Eagle Flight member.
- Follow-up: In future years participants will be able to visit Oshkosh and see their names and the date of their Eagle Flight. The Young Eagles Program will also feature an informative newsletter with information on EAA and other youth-oriented aviation programs.
Poberezny announced that the 1992 Oshkosh Fly-In will feature a number of youth-oriented activities including daily forums, workshops, and similar programs.
Contact information
- Young Eagles Program Office
EAA Aviation Foundation P.O. Box 3065, Oshkosh, WI 54903 Telephone: (414) 426-4800
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
