Young people in seven Midwest cities will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in unique vintage aircraft this summer, as the American Barnstormers Tour will include flight opportunities for selected young people through the EAA Young Eagles program.

In each city, up to 15 young people will be selected by local EAA chapters to fly in these vintage aircraft, which were manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s during what is commonly known as the “Golden Age of Aviation.” These young people will fly in conjunction with EAA Young Eagles, which has flown more than 1.5 million young people free of charge since 1992. Read more

Directions

Posted using ShareThis

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (February 9, 2010) — Sixteen-year-old Tyler Whitney, of Fenwick, Michigan, probably never looked at himself as an aviation pioneer. He is one, however, as he became the first EAA Young Eagle to pass his FAA Private Pilot written test through the Sporty’s Online Pilot Training Course now offered free to all Young Eagles.

The opportunity was announced last April by EAA and Sporty’s Pilot Shop of Batavia, Ohio, one of the world’s leading pilot and aviation suppliers. Through this partnership, young people who receive an inspirational and educational introduction to personal flight via the EAA Young Eagles Program will also receive from Sporty’s the tools they’ll need to take the next steps in pursuing their interest in aviation.

Upon completion of a flight with a Young Eagles volunteer pilot – often the youth’s first time aboard a general aviation aircraft – the youth will receive a logbook for recording this and subsequent aviation experiences. The Young Eagle receives an access code to the Sporty’s Online Complete Pilot Training Course. Both the logbook and the flight training course are free of charge to Young Eagles.

“EAA and Sporty’s made this program possible so the excitement of flight that comes from a Young Eagles flight doesn’t stop there,” said Brian O’Lena, EAA’s youth programs manager. “We appreciate Sporty’s commitment to opening the door to more young people to participate in aviation and discover opportunities and accomplishments for their own lives.”

Neither of Whitney’s parents have aviation background, but after Whitney took his Young Eagles flight in June 2008 with pilot Robert Allers of Greenville, Mich. (EAA #857229), he wanted to explore flight training. The Sporty’s Online Pilot Training Course allowed Whitney to work toward his goal at no additional cost.

“After my Young Eagles flight I knew I had to fly. It’s what I want to do,” Whitney said. “Thank you for all that EAA is doing…I appreciate it a lot.”

After about 35 hours of flight training with instructor Jeff Ostrander (EAA #866844), Whitney’s next goal is to earn his Private Pilot Certificate on his 17th birthday – the earliest date he could take his flight test.

“We know Tyler will be only the first of many, many young people who have the opportunity to discover and explore the world of flight through the Young Eagles program and the support Sporty’s has provided for aviation future,” O’Lena said. “There are more ‘next step’ programs coming for Young Eagles that will make the experience more than simply an initial airplane ride.”

EAA’s Young Eagles program was founded in 1992 and has provided more than 1.5 million free demonstration flights to young people around the world, through the efforts of 43,000 volunteer pilots and 50,000 ground volunteers. More information is available at www.youngeagles.org.

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 160,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with http://twitter.com/EAAupdate.