Area young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies on Saturday, June 13, as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter # 620 hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Miami Executive Airport (former Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport).
The rally is part of the EAAYoung Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.9 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.
“Free airplane rides are just part of the Flight Rally,” said Yale Mosk, spokesman for the event. “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.”
Pilots at the event also will explain more about their airplanes allowing young people to discover how aircraft work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.
Following the flight, each young person will receive a personal logbook with the time flown and a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. His or her name then will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, WI. The Logbook also is accessible on the Web at www.youngeagles.org.
Other activities scheduled for the Flight Rally include barbecue hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments.
EAA member pilots volunteer their time and aircraft so the flights can be provided free of charge for interested young people.
Those attending the flight rally on June 13 are asked to come to the Tiki Hut located behind Propel Aviation at 14300 SW 129 St. (Miami Executive Airport) starting at 8:45 a.m. to register for their flight. Flights will begin at 9 a.m. with registration closing at 11:30 a.m. Those registering first will have priority. At least one parent must be present to authorize the flight.
Additional information about EAA and the EAA Young Eagles program is available on the Internet. Access to EAA’s Home Page is available at www.eaa.org. The Young Eagles website is www.youngeagles.org.
