Young Eagles Pass 2M Youth Flight Mark

“It’s been great to see Young Eagles activity return to pre-pandemic levels,” David Leiting, Jr., Eagles program manager, said in a statement. "We thank all our pilots and ground support volunteers, who are planting those seeds with young people that will keep aviation vibrant for years to come.”

This year also marked a change in leadership for Young Eagles as former NFL All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham moved from the program's co-chair to chairman. Already an active Young Eagles pilot, Graham succeeds airshow legend Sean D. Tucker, who spent a decade leading the program.

Young Eagles flights are organized through local EAA chapters. Sometimes there are individual flights or daylong rallies where volunteer pilots take children between the ages of 8 and 17 for short flights.

There's always a need for more pilots, Leiting said, noting that EAA added 700 new volunteer pilots this year. 

"As the old guard begins to hang up the headset, it is imperative that new volunteer pilots begin participating," Leiting said. "There is always an abundance of youth thrilled to take their first flight, while the volunteer pilots can be the limiting factor. I challenge any pilot who is not involved in the program to consider flying just a handful of Young Eagles each year. It will provide you with a great reason to fly, you’ll be paying it forward to the next generation, and I promise you that the reaction out of these youth will be the best part of the experience."

Most Young Eagles events are more than a ride in an airplane. Many EAA chapters offer an age-appropriate ground school. Sporty's Pilot Shop, which is a program sponsor, offers the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course at no charge to participants who want to take the next step and continue their aviation education.

In addition, EAA’s growing AeroEducate program provides free online resources for Young Eagles of all levels who want to explore more about the world of flight.

There are plans for more post-flight follow-up, Leiting said. Those include Young Eagles Flight Plan, which provides youths with a free EAA membership, free access to the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, reimbursement for the FAA knowledge exam, a $160 voucher toward a flight lesson, and enrollment in EAA AeroEducate. 

"It is so important that parents and their kids know about this program, so they can continue to explore aviation after their flight," Leiting said.