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May 31, 2010 — Add together seven aircraft, eight pilots, ground-crew volunteers and nearly 50 kids and what to you get?
A lot of smiles, memories and hopefully a spark in a child’s mind and imagination.
EAA Chapter 124 of Santa Rosa, California flew nearly 50 Young Eagles on May 8 at Cloverdale Municipal Airport as part of the airport’s open house, said Ronald Alvestal, EAA 881517. Everything about the day was perfect, he said.
“It was one of those days that the weather was perfect, the kids were great, and it was the perfect forum,” said Alvestal. “Everyone worked together, there were no problems and everyone had a great time.”
Naturally, putting on a Young Eagle event takes more than pilot volunteers. Alvestal said about six people worked to guide the aircraft, two more worked the sign-up table, and others were in the hangar giving pre-flight briefings to the youth. “They tell the kids about what not to touch and how an airplane works. You don’t want the kids just to be jumping into the seat with no knowledge of what’s going on.”
Besides the free Young Eagles flights, the airport open house included aircraft on display, including antique and experimental planes, food and beverages, and more. Zenith Aircraft Company and NorCal Skydiving also opened their businesses to welcome visitors and answer questions.
Alvestal said the Young Eagles program is a necessary one, and an important way to get youth interested in aviation as a hobby or career.
“It’s just a really neat thing to do,” he said. “You don’t have the young people coming to aviation, and part of that is because access is limited at airports. When I was 12, I hung out at the airport, and would wash windows just to get occasional rides. Today that availability is not there. That’s what I like about the Young Eagles program best — it gets the young people onto airports and it gets them involved”
EAA Chapter 124 is based out of the Charles M. Schulz — Sonoma County Airport.
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Mike Shook (EAA 666739) flew Young Eagles Jacob Sutten in a RV-9A during the Cloverdale Municipal Airport open house on May 8.
Photo credit: Ronald Alvestal
Pilot Steve Smith (EAA 821446) flew Young Eagle Arthur Alva in a Zodiac 601 on May 8.
Photo credit: Ronald Alvestal
Pilot Erik Peterson found out a free flight can make a difference in a child’s life. This boy and his father have joined EAA Chapter 124 after the flight.
Photo credit: Ronald Alvestal.
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