New aviation introduction and mentoring program based on success of Young EaglesEAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. -The Experimental Aircraft Association's upcoming Eagle Flights program, the new aviation orientation program for adults, will have its official kickoff this summer with inaugural flights at the EAA AirVenture fly-in, which is scheduled for July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.
The Eagle Flights program, which is based on the enormously successful EAA Young Eagles flights for youth, will focus on one-to-one flight experiences and pathways that help adults toward discovering more about flying and eventual pilot certification.
"EAA AirVenture is the perfect place to launch the program, as the world's aviation attention is focused on Oshkosh that week," said Jeff Skiles, EAA's vice president of chapters and youth education, who is also coordinating the Eagle Flights program. "In addition, in 2012 we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Young Eagles, which was launched at Oshkosh in 1992 and has created thousands of pilots in the past two decades. We're confident that Eagle Flights will be a similar pathway for thousands of adults who want to pursue their dreams of flight."
As with the 1.6 million youth flown through the Young Eagles program since 1992, EAA Eagle Flights will supply orientation flights free of charge by volunteer EAA-member pilots. Registration material, structure, and additional insurance coverage will be provided through EAA. Eagle Flights participants can be flown either in single flights or part of larger rallies typically hosted by EAA chapters.
In addition, EAA is welcoming partner organizations to support Eagle Flights as a dynamic way to build interest and participation in aviation, as the aviation business community has a vested interest in added growth and activity by new aviators.
EAA first announced that it would create a flight introduction program for adults during EAA AirVenture 2011. The Eagle Flights program is part of EAA's effort to reduce barriers to entering aviation and encouraging participation. Additional details for Eagle Flights pilots and participants will be announced as they are finalized.
About EAA- EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world's most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA's 176,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to http://www.eaa.org/.