The local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will conduct the biannual Young Eagles Kids Fly Free Day on Saturday, May 4, at the Moore County Airport, sponsored by Sandhills Fliers, Pinecrest High School Junior ROTC, the Civil Air Patrol, and EAA Chapter 1220.
Children ages eight to 17 are offered free rides on privately owned airplanes to introduce and educate them on the art of flight. This event has become a highlight at the airport, with local pilots volunteering their time and aircraft to provide an unforgettable experience for the participants.
The Young Eagles program is designed to inspire the next generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. By providing children with the opportunity to experience flight firsthand, the program hopes to spark an interest in aviation and encourage children to pursue careers in the industry. It also supports the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs in the surrounding county schools.
“We are pleased to continue to host the Young Eagles event each year at our airport,” said airport Director Rick Cloutier. Each time we host the event, we have a record number of junior fliers, and we are thankful for our base customers and area pilots who donate their time to provide these flights for the children of Moore County.”
The Moore County Airport Young Eagles event is the latest offering of a program that has been running twice each year since the early 2000s. The local pilot group has flown more than 8,000 children, and each ride also generates “award points” for the EAA chapter. These points have been used over the years to provide scholarships for a dozen local aeronautically enthusiastic high school students to the giant AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin each July.
“Introducing the art of flying to a child or teen has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a pilot,” said Jim Murray, Young Eagles coordinator for the local EAA Chapter. “We are still actively soliciting local and regional pilots to donate their time to provide these memorable flights during the Young Eagles event. We are grateful to the Moore County Airport for sponsoring the event and providing fuel for the participating aircraft.”
The event is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and is open to children ages eight to 17. On-site registration is easy, and the EAA asks that parents or guardians accompany their children to the event and stay on-site during the flight. They also recommend that children dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Depending on the weather, the number of children and when they arrive, the wait times for each flight usually are under an hour.
The program is designed to be a fun and educational experience for children. Before the flight, each child receives a briefing from their pilot, explaining the basic principles of flight and the controls of the airplane. The pilot answers any questions the children may have. Once the briefing is complete, the child will board the airplane and take to the skies.
The normal route is north to Carthage, then southwesterly to Pinehurst and then east to Southern Pines. Most flights last 15-20 minutes at an altitude of 2,500 feet.
The EAA’s Young Eagles program has been instrumental in inspiring the next generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. By offering free airplane rides to children, the program has made aviation accessible to young people who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience flight. The program has also played a role in addressing the shortage of pilots in the aviation industry by encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation.
The Civil Air Patrol will be on site during the event, selling hot dogs and concession foods as a fundraiser for their organization.
Contributed.
