Henderson, Nev. – February 15, 2006 – For the past four years, EAA Chapter 1300 in Southern Nevada has been organizing a Winter Flight Festival on the first Saturday of February. This year, more than 125 children from the Courtney Children’s Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson and the Frontier Council of Girl Scouts participated. By late afternoon, we had flown 146 Young Eagle missions, making it one of our most successful events.
Regardless of the prognostications of the ground hog, February weather has been superb. The usual high, thin clouds and gentle breeze dominated the area as 13 pilots in 12 aircraft descended on Henderson Executive airport for this year’s Young Eagles rally.
Of the 12 aircraft present, few duplicates could be found on the flight line. A Cessna 195 was parked next to a Bellanca Super Viking. A Lake Renegade was snuggled up to a Beech V-35. Not far away, the amateur built aircraft gallery was represented by a Van’s RV-8A, a GlaStar GS-1 and a Zenith 601. We also had two Pipers, a Diamond and one Cessna Skyhawk.
The pilot group was as unique as the aircraft they flew. Both active and retired airline captains, a retired Air Force Colonel, Atomic Energy Engineers and others, -all with a common goal of giving to the community-, joined forces to give a flying experience long remembered by the children.
On the ground, we had a Ramp-boss, three marshallers, two gate guards, four escorts and 10 reservation specialists. Believe me, without this staff of dedicated volunteers, we could not begin to accomplish the mission!
James Bonelli,
Southern Nevada Field Representative
EAA Young Eagles Program
For more photos of the event, Click here!
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Some eager youngsters patiently wait for their turn to fly.
Retired United Airlines Captain, Gene Lamski, leads the first group of Young Eagles out on the runway toward his Cessna 195.
Retired United States Air Force Colonel, Mike Smith stands with three new Young Eagles following their flight in a Piper Cherokee.
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