EAA Chapter 73's Page

Area young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies on Sunday, September 19th, 2010, as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 73 hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Essex County Airport in Fairfield, NJ.The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.4 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.“Free airplane rides are just part of the Flight Rally,” said event coordinator Bob McClosky. “We hope to build one-to-one relationships between pilots and young people, giving a new generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in the world of aviation.” Young Eagles Chairman Captain “Sully” Sullenberger agrees, saying “I have a passionate love of aviation and the people who love airplanes. We are a big family, we share this passion, this concern, and we want to share it with other people. The Young Eagles Program is a way of sharing our passion, and helping young people around the globe find out if they want to share the same passion by exposing them to aviation.”Volunteer pilots at the event will also explain more about their airplanes allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will then 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 web at www.youngeagles.org. Young Eagles also have access to a free on line pilot training course, and a free flight lesson at a local flight school, all made possibly by Sporty’s Pilot Shop.Those attending the flight rally on September 19th are asked come to the Avant Air ramp located near the base of the control tower at Essex County Airport, 155 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ. Registration starts at 9:00 am and flights are first-come, first-served, weather permitting. Registration closes at 3:30 pm (last flight will return by 4:00). Every Young Eagle must have a parent or legal guardian present for the registration process.See More