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Santa Ynez Airport, Calif. – May 5, 2006 – The pilots briefing was scheduled to begin at 8:30 on April 29, but due to the fog over Santa Ynez Airport, the event time was pushed back to 11:30 as we all waited for the weather to break. The ceiling finally rose to 2,000 feet and we were off giving some of the first Experimental Aviation Association, General Aviation, private, and small airplane rides to a new group of young aviation enthusiasts.
Les Clark (our Young Eagles Coordinator) lead off with his safety message and turned the event over to Lynne Barber who explained how airplanes flew and took the kids over to the different types of planes where the owners could explain the differences.
The enthusiasm was high with all the kids’ questions and their scurrying around the planes. The pilots told the kids how and why looking over the plane and preflight was important to each aircraft.
Back at the office, Anthony Clark was cooking up hot dogs along with selling chips and soft drinks. Ron Boote was in charge of the gate, making sure no one wandered beyond without a proper escort. Shy Bourgeois kept the paperwork in order, Don Noonan sampled the hot dogs, I took the pictures and Chris Kunkle kept track of how much fuel was used.
I believe all in attendance had a great time. I know the Young Eagles who took their first ride in a small aircraft will never forget this event along with the pilots and planes who took them flying.
-Submitted by Eric Cobb, EAA Chapter 491 Webmaster
Pilots flying at this event were Lloyd Sorensen, Les Clark, John Fisher, Ron Ziegler, Eric Libbey, Stillman Chase, David Nye, Josephine of the 99rs and Carl Walston. The ground crew was made up of Anthony Clark, Jean Pier Jammet, Don Noonan, Chuck Potter, Elisibeth Potter, Eric Cobb, Felix Finn, Ron Boote, Lynne Orloff, Shy Bourgeois and John Rodkey.
EAA Chapter 491 members share their reasons for taking part in the
Young Eagles program
“I think we all enjoy our Young Eagle Rally for the same reason. The kids. It's an opportunity to do something that really makes a difference in a kid’s life. A Young Eagle Rally not only brings together community, but more importantly, it brings together families all sharing in something new and exciting. Its making dreams come true... It’s magical... It’s flying.”
Les Clark, Young Eagles Coordinator
“As a pilot of fifty-one years, I enjoy giving rides to the Young Eagles, especially when I hear their voices of excitement. In the actual flight, I can feel their overwhelming energy as they are flying. We need to keep the Young Eagles flying to enlighten future generations.”
John Fisher, Young Eagles pilot
“The most exciting comments I got besides the fact that they really liked the ride was, ‘Hey Mom! I got to talk on the radio to the other airplanes! I really can steer that airplane!’“
Shy Bourgeois, Young Eagles ground volunteer
“The Young Eagles program represents a larger than life experience. Airports are not as accessible as they were when I was growing up and this is why the Young Eagles program is of such great value.”
Eric Cobb, Webmaster and Young Eagles ground volunteer
Check out EAA Chapter 491’s Web site at www.eaa491.org.
For more pictures of this event, click here!
A letter of thanks from one Young Eagle’s mother to the pilot who flew her son:
John,
Thank you very much for volunteering at the airport last Saturday and providing us all with much needed sustenance! It was a wonderful experience for the kids. My son had a fabulous experience flying. We are very grateful to you and your fellow aviators for your time and the cost of giving the children the flying experience.
This week at school they followed up with a balsa wood plane building competition. My son and three of his friends built the winning plane, Blue Storm, and won a trophy for Hollister School for the coming year.
They learned so much about aviation and have had so much fun doing it.
Thanks again,
Helen
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Eagerly awaiting the flight, a new Young Eagle peers out of the plane.
A group of soon-to-be Young Eagles and their parents learn about
the Long EZ from John Fisher.
John Fisher explains why his engine is mounted on the back of his airplane instead of the front as asked by one interested youngster
Lloyd Sorensen explains how his Cessna 195 is different from the other airplanes on the ramp.
Stillman Chase explains the differences of his aircraft as he goes through a preflight.
Lynne Orloff explains the different components of the airplane as well as a few of the basics of aerodynamics.
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