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Miami, Okla. – May 15, 2006 – On April 9, 2006, EAA Chapter 463 held a Young Eagles event, flying 116 new Young Eagles.
”I think the Young Eagles program is the greatest organized approach to introduce youngsters to aviation that anyone has come up with thus far!
Our chapter (Joplin, Mo. / Miami, Okla.) has been very active, normally hosting one event in the spring and another in the fall and flying anywhere from 50 to over 100 Young Eagles per event. In 2006, however, we have an additional two events planned for May and another in June. Some of our members also fly in Young Eagles events for other EAA Chapters.
Civil Air Patrol units from Okla., Mo. and Kan. support our events. Our CAP coordinators have been 1Lt. Brook Adams of Council Oaks Squadron, Okla., and Maj. Ed Leonard, Group V, Mo.
Following the formalities of registration, a group of up to ten Young Eagles candidates move from the FBO office into the adjacent hangar. While there, CAP pilots, using a static aircraft conduct a brief preflight ground school and answer questions.
They then go to the front of the hangar to wait for their turn to fly. By coincidence, CAP has an information table also set up at the front of the hangar with pamphlets and video presentations. The table is manned with CAP Cadets and Seniors to answer questions from Young Eagles and parents about the CAP programs.
When it is their turn to fly, the kids are escorted by two CAP cadets/seniors or EAA members to the aircraft. One escort assists the Young Eagles who have just flown, taking them back to the administration office to receive their certificates. The other assists the kids who are about to board the aircraft.
I use a 35 mm SLR film camera to take pictures of the kids (on this day with the help of Cadet Carr who did a great job) and have them developed as soon as possible. I then leave them at the FBO for the Young Eagles or their parents to pick up a few days later. This means another trip to the airport, but this time without the bustle of the weekend Young Eagles activity and more time to learn about other activities at the local airport.
The pilots and their planes taking part in this event were Jerry McPherson - Cessna 172, Phillip Belcher (Chapter President) - Cessna 150, Don Case - Piper PA-28, Paul Adolph - Cessna 172, Raymond Weeks - Cessna 150, Bob Hamilton - Cessna 172, Joe Champagne - Luscombe 8-F, Gary Trapeze – Grumman, and Jeff Stewart - Piper PA-28. Success could not be achieved without the ground support consisting of Norman Ruth, Jim Belcher, Jota Wade, and Marilyn Hooker.
The fun keeps them coming back!
The enthusiasm of these kids is impossible to describe. You just have to be there to experience it. My wife, 1Lt/CAP Carroll Knots, often assists with administration or flight line at the events. She told me of one girl around 9-years old who received her flight and certificate and was unable to contain her enthusiasm. After telling many people, she ended up cornering the airport dog, Freckles, and told him, in great detail, all about her experience with flight.
One great experience was with a special education class. One of the teachers brought along her young daughter. For weeks prior to the event, she was telling all her friends that she was scared to fly, and would only fly if her mother would fly with her. On the day of the event, I was giving the pre-flight ground school when one of the pilots suddenly had to leave. The following conversation went something like this:
Pilot: "I can't stay for long, but I've got time for one flight. How about this girl?"
Young Eagle: "OK Come on Mom!!"
Pilot: "Sorry, I've got a Cessna 150, only room for a pilot and one passenger"
Young Eagle: "BYE Mom!"
Another time a reporter for a local newspaper brought her son and daughter. Paul Adolph flew the reporter and her kids in his classic straight-tailed Cessna 172 resulting in an extensive front-page article with several photos. Afterward, the young daughter followed Paul everywhere until he evaded to his office. Then she stopped everyone she could, asking, "Where's my PILOT, Where's my PILOT?" I saw them again at a local store and she was still talking about her flight to anyone who would listen.”
---Bill Knots
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Civil Air Patrol Cadet Carr, grinning with anticipation, and pilot Joe Champagne prepare to take off on their flight.
An eager Young Eagle takes the controls as he prepares for his flight.
Pilot Jerry Mackerel and a new Young Eagle get situated in the cockpit prior to take off.
Pilot Don Kasha poses with three new Young Eagles he is about to take on a flight.
 Three new Young Eagles receive their certificates with their pilot Gary Trapeze.
EAA Chapter 463 President Phillip Belcher prepares for takeoff with a soon-to-be Young Eagle.
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