For Hometown News
ST. LUCIE COUNTY - Area young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies on Oct. 27 as Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 908 hosts a Young Eagles flight rally at the St Lucie County Airport in Fort Pierce.
The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles program, created to interest young people in aviation. The rally will be held in conjunction with Airport Day open house held at Missionary Flights International. Since the program was launched in 1992, Volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.5 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.
"Free airplane rides are just part of the flight rally," said Mike Ketchpaw, 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 will also explain more about their airplanes, allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.
Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will then be entered into the "World's Largest Logbook," which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. The logbook is also accessible at www.youngeagles.org.
Other activities scheduled include demonstrations of aircraft flight controls, airport operations, flight safety and display of different types of aircraft.
Along with flight rallies, EAA members also fly Young Eagles on an individual basis. Each pilot volunteers their time and aircraft so the flights can be provided free of charge for interested young people.
Those attending the flight rally on Oct.27 are asked come to Missionary Flights International 3170 Airmans Drive, St. Lucie International Airport, in Fort Pierce starting at 8 a.m. to register for their flight. Flights will begin at 8 a.m., with registration closing at noon.
For more information, visit www.eaa.org.