Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has dedicated more than 30 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane.
It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.
Today, more than 2 million young people have enjoyed a free introductory flight through the Young Eagles program. These flights are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Young Eagle pilots donate their time, aircraft and any costs associated with the flights. Our chapter, EAA 186, has flown more than 15,000 Young Eagles!
Who Can Get a Young Eagles Flight?
Young people between the ages of 8 through 17 years old can receive a Young Eagles flight. The youngster can be given one Young Eagles flight on a given day, but there is no limit on how many times he/she can come out to get a free Young Eagles flight. An EAA pilot will provide the flight at no cost to the child. This is each individual pilot’s gift to the child.
How Can a Youngster Get a Flight?
Come to one of our scheduled monthly Young Eagle Rallys! See the Young Eagle Rallies section of this website for details.
What Happens Prior to the Flight?
An EAA Young Eagles Permission Form will need to be completed for each youngster to receive a flight. A separate Permission Form will be completed for each child and must be signed on the back by the parent or legal guardian only the day of the event. The pilot will also sign the Form prior to the flight.
Is there any sort of pre-flight instruction and discussion between the pilot and the passengers?
Yes, the pilot will provide a briefing for the Young Eagles, which may include the parts of the aircraft, aviation principles, safety issues, what will occur during the flight, etc. The pilot will also walk the youngsters through a pre-flight examination of the aircraft. This is an examination of the outside parts of the aircraft. Once the pilot and passengers are inside the aircraft and properly buckled up, the pilot may discuss the instrument panel of the particular aircraft he/she is flying.
What Happens During the Flight?
During the flight, the youngster is encouraged to look out the windows of the aircraft, take pictures and enjoy the flight. If the pilot wants, he/she may let the youngster in the right seat take the controls and do straight and level flying and slight turns. The flights are 15-20 minutes in length.
What Happens After the Flight?
The pilot answers any questions the youngsters may have about the flight. Each new Young Eagle is given a Young Eagles Logbook. This logbook is an official logbook similar to what pilots use to record their flight time. An entry will be made in the logbook showing the flight that was just completed and will be signed by the pilot. We encourage the Young Eagles to bring back the logbook for other Young Eagles flights and to record other aviation activities in the book; e.g., visits to aviation museums.
The Young Eagle will also be registered in the World’s Largest Logbook, which can be accessed by going to https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights/eaa-young-eagles-logbook and searching the “World’s Largest Logbook”. (Usually takes about 2 weeks after the flight to show in the logbook.)
The Young Eagle will also receive a Free EAA Student Membership. This free membership is good through the youngsters 18th birthday and includes EAA Sport Aviation Online, e-newsletters, member-only website, Academy of Model Aeronautics Student Membership, free admission to 300+ science and technology museums, and more.
In addition, each Young Eagles logbook has an unique Access Code provided on the back. This code may be used by the Young Eagle to sign up for the Sporty’s Pilot Shop’s free two-part online ground school in-flight training. This course provides the ground school training needed to pass the FAA Knowledge Exam (written exam), which must be taken as part of obtaining a sport or private pilot’s certificate. This training is valued at over $250 and is FREE to Young Eagles.
For more information contact our Young Eagle Coordinators:
Our young people are our next generation of pilots and employees in the aviation industry. EAA wants to show these young people that there are opportunities in aviation available to them. It starts with a Young Eagles flight.
