Program looks to get children airborne
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/65232/
“ Free first flights for young people ” is the theme of the Young Eagles Flight Orientation Program, sponsored by local members of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
On Saturday, the flight program will be hosted by Pinnacle Aviation at the Springdale Municipal Airport in the terminal near the control tower.
Required ground schools will commence at 7: 45 a. m. and will continue until the last person has flown. Pilots who are members of Chapter 732 of the Experimental Aircraft Association are donating their time and money to allow young people to have a positive exposure to the world of general aviation.
Dave Bowman, Young Eagles ground school instructor, said “ We want this to be an incredibly educational, safe and fun event for all involved. ”
In the past several years, chapter members have provided this flight opportunity to more than 1, 400 young people in Northwest Arkansas. Last summer, more than 140 young people completed association flights at area airports. The flights are limited to any young person between the ages of 8 and 17. They must have a parent or legal guardian to sign a release form prior to the fight. It is recommended that parents and young people arrive early Saturday to take advantage of less turbulent air.
“ We want to make sure that people understand that this is a form of recreation and a potential career field for both young men and women, ” Bowman said. “ Young people need to know that the world of aviation is available to them and it can be a rewarding, lifelong association. ”
Bowman said there are other jobs in the aviation field besides being a pilot.
Currently there are hundreds of jobs open in Arkansas in aviation maintenance, he said, and many more in the region and across the country.
The Young Eagles flight orientation program was started nationally to get more than 1 million eagles airborne prior to the 100 th anniversary of the powered flight on Dec. 17, 2003. Nearly 1. 4 million children have participated since the program started.
Another session will be held at the Fayetteville Executive Airport — Drake Field on June 21.
For more information and weather updates, go to www. eaa 732. org.