Young Eagles
Encyclopedia
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating children about aviation. This program is offered free of charge with donations and volunteers. The program was launched in 1992 and, by fall of 2009, has flown more than 1.5 million children in 90 countries. The program's presenting sponsor is Phillips 66.
Program History
The mission of the EAA Young Eagles Program is to provide a meaningful flight experience – free of charge – in a general aviation aircraft for young people (primarily between the ages of 8 and 17). Flights are provided by EAA members world wide.
The initial goal of the program was to fly one million children prior to the 100th anniversary of flight celebration (Dec. 17, 2003). That goal was achieved on November 13, 2003. An on-going annual goal of introducing 100,000 young people to the Young Eagles experience has been established.
In March 2011 EAA reported the results of a study on the program that showed that program participants are 5.4 times more likely to become a pilot than those who never participated and that 9% of those new pilots are female, an increase of 50% compared to the general population of pilots, which is 6% female. The study also indicated that the older a child is when taking their flight that it is the more likely that child will become a pilot, with two out of every 100 participants who are 17 years old continuing to complete a pilot certificate.
The program is administered by the Young Eagles Office at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
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International Young Eagles
Children have flown as part of this program in over 90 countries including Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, Republic of South Africa, Denmark, Puerto Rico, Spain, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France, Mexico, Italy, Cayman Islands, Turkey, Greece, Malaysia, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Norway, Brazil, Belarus, Switzerland, Austria, India, Kosovo, Belgium, Virgin Islands (US), Poland, China, Singapore, Ukraine, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Columbia, Ecuador, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Finland, South Korea, Senegal, Czech Republic, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Thailand, Slovakia Republic, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, United Arab Emirates, Namibia, Hungary, Estonia, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Bermuda, Honduras, Latvia, Philippines, Gambia, Iceland, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Peru, Luxemburg, Guam, Yugoslavia, Fiji, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Portugal, Slovenia, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands (GB), Mauritius, USSR, Zambia, Kazakhstan, Lao Republic, Azerbaijan, Jamaica, Moldova, Belize, El Salvador, Panama, Iran and Lithuania.In Canada the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is a federally registered not-for-profit association that provides information and advocacy services for Canadian pilots who fly for non-commercial purposes...
participated in the Young Eagles program between 1992 and 2008. COPA members have flown more than 81,000 Young Eagles. COPA participation was ended on May, 31, 2008 due to insurance concerns.
Chapter Involvement
Many of EAA's nearly 1,000 local chapters organize Young Eagles Rallies. During a Young Eagles Rally, a large number of children are flown in a highly controlled and structured environment. Only EAA Chapters may organize rally events. In 1994, EAA established "International Young Eagles Day," a day set aside to encourage all EAA members and Chapters to participate in the Young Eagles program. International Young Eagles Day is held on the second Saturday of June annually,and an average of 8,000 Young Eagles are flown that day.Pilot Participation
Any pilot who is an EAA member can fly Young Eagles as long as they have access to an aircraft that is permitted to carry passengers and appropriate insurance. Pilots may fly Young Eagles as part of an organized Young Eagles Day or just individually.More than 43,000 pilots have participated in the program, donating their time and paying the full cost of providing the flights for the children in their own or rented aircraft. While some pilots have only flown a few Young Eagles there are many pilots who have flown more than three thousand children.
Program Chairman
At the program's inception EAA decided to recruit a well-known person to act as Chairman and raise the profile of the program. The program's founding chairman was actor Cliff RobertsonCliff Robertson
Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III was an American actor with a film and television career that spanned half of a century. Robertson portrayed a young John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film PT 109, and won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Charly...
who served in that capacity from 1992 to 1994. Robertson was succeeded in 1994 by retired USAF General and test pilot Chuck Yeager
Chuck Yeager
Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager is a retired major general in the United States Air Force and noted test pilot. He was the first pilot to travel faster than sound...
, the first person to intentionally fly faster than the speed of sound. Yeager stepped down as chairman in 2004 and, in March 2004, actor and pilot Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
became Chairman of the Young Eagles program. Ford has flown more than 300 Young Eagles in several airplanes.
Ford finished his five year term in 2009.
In September 2009, Captain Chesley Sullenberger
Chesley Sullenberger
Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III is an American airline transport pilot , safety expert, and accident investigator from Danville, California...
and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles who became famouse in the US Airways Flight 1549
US Airways Flight 1549
US Airways Flight 1549 was US Airways' scheduled domestic commercial passenger flight from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina...
Hudson River ditching on 15 January 2009, were named as the program's new co-chairmen.
Rolls Royce scholarship
Rolls RoyceRolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
contributed in 2010 six flight scholarships for basic flight training, and one for advanced training toward a private pilot certificate.
The Next Step
In May 2009, EAA joined with Sporty's Pilot Shop of Batavia, OhioBatavia, Ohio
Batavia is a village in and the county seat of Clermont County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,617 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Batavia is located at ....
, to provide the Next Step to the Young Eagles Flight experience. Sporty's has made their on line Complete Flight Training Course available to any interested Young Eagle following their flight. Sporty’s also provides pilot logbooks to allow Young Eagles to record their flight and any subsequent aviation experiences.
Gathering of Eagles
An annual fundraiser event to raise funds for the Young Eagles program.In 2010 The fundraiser raised 2.1 million dollars. Among items auctioned were a Ford Mustang donated by Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, Jack Roush
Jack Roush
Jack Roush is the founder, CEO, and co-owner along with John Henry of Roush Fenway Racing, a NASCAR team headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, and is Chairman of the Board of Roush Enterprises....
, and Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
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