Sharing the Love of Flight
Imagine taking a ride in a private jet piloted by none other than “Star Wars” Han Solo. 16-year-old Jodie Gawthrop of Westchester, IL enjoyed that experience as the two-millionth member of Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Young Eagles program.
America’s Next Generation of Aviators
Young Eagles, founded in 1992, is a unique program with a mission to provide youths between the ages of 8 and 17 with their first free airplane ride. Members of the EAA network volunteer their services as pilots and ground crew.
Actor Harrison Ford, a noted aviation enthusiast, served as chairman of Young Eagles between 2004 and 2009. The flight departed and landed at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI.
Ms. Gawthrop is a high school junior who first became interested in flying in 2013 as a participant in the Civil Air Patrol’s cadet orientation program. She enjoyed it so much that her future plans include a career in aviation.
Onward and Upward
It didn’t take EAA long to surpass the two-million mark. The next flight, with 11-year-old passenger Annalee Wrolsted of Oshkosh, was piloted by Fred Stadler, an EAA member who holds the record for Young Eagles flights at 6,500.
Jack Pelton, chairman and CEO of EAA, is proud of the organization’s commitment to pass a love of flying on to upcoming generations. He now looks forward to the occasion of Young Eagles’ three-millionth flight.
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