By Anna Skinner
Many children are fascinated by airplanes, but flight classes and aviation lessons can get expensive for parents.
Throughout the spring and summer, those kids – ages 8 to 17 – had a chance to fly for free through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagle Rally at the Noblesville Airport, 14782 Promise Road.
For the last five years, EAA Chapter 67 often holds events like this, about once per month during warm months.
Kids who participate are able to take 20-minute plane rides with a small group of others who register. Multiple types of planes are flown.
“We want kids to catch the spirit of aviation,” said Rob Morris, the Young Eagle chairmen for EAA Chapter 67.
Morris said that 1.8 million kids have attended Young Eagle Rallies across the nation since 1992, describing the event as “the start of their journey to becoming pilots, aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, or many other career opportunities.”
Once the kids complete a flight, they receive a pilot logbook, giving him or her a free, student membership with EAA. Kids also receive a learn-to-fly class which normally costs $199.
Morris has always loved planes, and wants to give kids opportunities that they might not otherwise experience. “I’ve always been an airplane nut,” he said. “I’ve loved airplanes since I was a kid. I got halfway on my license when I had to quit. This way I can stay around airplanes,” he said.
Events attract a variety of families and organizations, including the children of the Jack and Jill of America Circle City Chapter at the Aug. 15 event.
“Jack and Jill allows children to get experiences above their academic experiences at school that they might not otherwise be able to do with their families,” said Treci Davidson, co-team advisor for Jack and Jill of American Circle City Chapter. “I thought this would be a good opportunity to expose our children into the field of aviation whereas they haven’t had that chance.”
Families attended as well, including Brigid Clarey, a sophomore at Guerin Catholic High School and one of only two girls in the school’s aviation club.
“We just learn about airplanes at the club and how they work,” said Clarey, who is searching for more flight experience. The August Young Eagle Rally provided her with just that, getting her up close to the pilot flying the plane. Clarey said she wants to go into aviation or possibly be an astronaut.
Morris said typically 50 kids register for rallies, but the Aug. 15 event drew more than 70 kids. Morris said each event is a success, too, because of its volunteers, which number between 16 and 20.
Pilots who fly at the Young Eagle Rallies are members in the EAA Chapter 67 who volunteer to give the children of the community this experience. To learn more about Chapter 67 of the EAA, visit http://www.eaa67.org/.
Become a member
- EAA Chapter 67 meets the first Monday of each month at the Noblesville Airport at 14786 Promise Rd. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.
- Each meeting hosts a speaker, often times focusing around safety issues in aviation.
- Sometimes, people will be present who are looking to sell or buy airplanes or aircraft materials.
