Young Eagle flights hit milestone

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For Greene County News

XENIA — A local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter recently provided its 2,000th “Young Eagle” flight. The milestone was achieved when Arthur Barfield of Fairborn took LeeAnn Williams, also a Fairborn resident, for a ride in his Robinson R22 helicopter during a recent Young Eagle rally.

EAA Chapter 382, which is based at the Greene County – Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport, regularly provides such free flights to youths.

“The Young Eagle program began in 1992 as a way of introducing boys and girls ages eight to 17 to aviation by providing a free airplane ride,” Chapter 382’s Young Eagle coordinator, Wayne Moyer, said. “The original goal was to introduce one million young people to general aviation by the 100th anniversary of powered flight, Dec. 17, 2003. When that goal was met everyone agreed that we should continue and at this point 1,944,480 have had a Young Eagle flight.”

The local program began in 2001 under the supervision of Fairborn resdient Don Topmiller.

“Don’s vision was that a Young Eagle flight should not be just a free airplane ride, but a learning experience,” Moyer said. “To do that, EAA 382 holds a 20 to 30 minute ground school for the kids (and their parents) so they understand how an airplane flies, how it is controlled, what they can expect to see, and what our safety procedures are, before they fly.”

At the end of the school, participants meet their pilot and help to conduct a pre-flight inspection before climbing into the co-pilot seat for their flight.

Chapter members donate their time and aircraft to serve as pilots and ground support staff so that Young Eagle flights are completely free.

More information on the EAA Young Eagle Program can be found at youngeagles.org. Information on EAA 382’s program can be found at 382.eaachapter.org.

LeeAnn Williams became EAA 382’s 2,000th Young Eagle when she took her flight in Arthur Barfield’s helicopter.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_eagles1.jpgLeeAnn Williams became EAA 382’s 2,000th Young Eagle when she took her flight in Arthur Barfield’s helicopter.

Beavercreek resident Steve Glass and a new Young Eagle conduct a pre-flight inspection.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_eagles2.jpgBeavercreek resident Steve Glass and a new Young Eagle conduct a pre-flight inspection.

EAA Chapter 382 members recently celebrated their 2,000th Young Eagle flight at the Greene County Airport.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_eagles3.jpgEAA Chapter 382 members recently celebrated their 2,000th Young Eagle flight at the Greene County Airport.

Content provided by EAA Chapter 382.

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