EAA Young Eagles Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning the EAA's Young Eagles Program.
(This FAQ adapted from the Young Eagles Website)
What is EAA?
EAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More than 170,000 people currently belong to EAA, with local Chapters (such as Chapter 1288 in Valkaria) located in all 50 states and many countries. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts. They enjoy all types of airplanes, including "experimental" aircraft, those aircraft built by individual craftsmen, rather than in a factory. 'Experimental' refers to the category of aircraft designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for these types of airplanes. Similar to standard category aircraft, Experimental aircraft are inspected and certified as airworthy by FAA. EAA's corporate offices and extensive AirVenture Museum are located in Oshkosh. EAA is a 501(c)3 organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. EAA hosts one of the world's largest general aviation events, the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In. The event draws more than 700,000 people and 10,000 aircraft to Oshkosh each summer.
Why was the EAA Young Eagles program started?
The EAA Young Eagles Program was developed in 1992 to welcome young people into the world of aviation. Aviation is exciting and vital to our nation's future and the best way to convey that message is to actually experience flight in a first-hand setting.
What do you hope to gain by taking kids flying?
Each EAA Young Eagle will experience a safe and enjoyable flight that will give them new perspectives on the world and life in general. We feel that Young Eagles program participants will understand that an individual's potential is unlimited and for them, the sky is the limit! We have seen this proven true time and time again.
Who are the Pilots?
The pilots who are participating in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are volunteering their time and aircraft to make these flights possible. Each pilot is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (or if you're outside the USA, the governing organization for aviation, such as Transport Canada) and all aircraft are likewise licensed by the government. The flights will be conducted according to federal regulations. No aerobatic maneuvers will be performed, nor will flights be made during unsafe weather conditions.
How safe are Young Eagles flights?
The YE program has an excellent safety record. Young Eagles flights never involve aerobatics or flights during bad weather. Young Eagles pilots are FAA certified and operate under strict safety guidelines for Young Eagles flight in addition to following all Federal Aviation Regulations. The goal is to ensure that all YE flights are conducted in the lowest-risk manner possible. General Aviation itself has a very good safety record to begin with, and the additional YE flight guidelines are intended to further avoid any situation that may be unsafe while young people are on board. Unfortunately, we have not yet figured out how to fix the most common side effects of a Young Eagles flight... sore facial muscles caused by excess smiling, giddy laughter, and eyes that are opened extra-wide!
How does my child become a Young Eagle?
If your child is between the ages of 8 and 17, find the Young Eagle Coordinator near you. As a parent, you'll need to complete a Young Eagle registration form that is available from your pilot. They can help you fill out the form and answer any other specific questions you may have.
What will the flight be like?
First of all, the pilot will explain what will happen during the flight. This might include talking about the airplane; reviewing an aeronautical chart and identifying reference points during the flight; completing a careful "walk around" preflight inspection of the airplane and identifying the parts that control the airplane; helping buckle your child's seat belt and describing the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel. Once in the air, your child will see the earth and sky in a new and exciting way... they will experience the wonderful freedom of flight that many people only dream about! Many people remember this experience for the rest of their lives. The length of the flight will depend on many factors, but most Young Eagle flights last between 15 and 20 minutes. Once back on the ground, there will be additional time for questions after the flight. Please note that each pilot is encouraged to follow the Young Eagle pilot guidelines, but also has the freedom to customize the flight to make the most of local conditions and facilities. Safety has priority at all times. If the aircraft has more than two seats, there many be more than one Young Eagle on board.
What kind of aircraft will I fly in?
Young Eagle flights can take place in nearly any type of aircraft. Most are flown in small fixed-wing aircraft (for instance, Cessnas and Pipers) but sometimes other aircraft are used... helicopters, gyrocopters, open-cockpit biplanes, powered parachutes, weight-shift ("trikes"), gliders, warbirds, multi-engine planes, hot air balloons and even corporate jets have been the vehicles for "initiating" Young Eagles! All aircraft are properly certified by the FAA (or appropriate organization if you're in another country) as airworthy. About the only type of aircraft we could think of that hasn't yet been used for a Young Eagle flight is the Space Shuttle!
I have a disability. Can I still become a Young Eagle?
Almost any kid between the ages of 8 and 17 can take a Young Eagles flight. By "almost", usually the only restrictions are in getting into the aircraft. Many kids with physical and mental disabilities have taken Young Eagles flights, even when that means making arrangements to accommodate special needs. As a rule, the aviation community is filled with folks who know that they greatest limitations people face are generally the ones that they put upon themselves, far more than any physical limitations we have. When there is a special situation that makes it harder for a young person to take the flight, it's usually just a matter of figuring out how to get situated in the aircraft. Kids with almost every imaginable disability, from blindness to quadriplegia to genetic deformities, have been able to take flights and becoem Young Eagles. And you better believe that some of them went on to become pilots themselves!
Can the kids actually fly the aircraft?
Depending upon the aircraft, the pilot's discretion, the flight conditions, and the young person's abilities and interest, Young Eagles may be able to handle the controls for a portion of the flight. If this is possible on a particular flight, it is always done only after a safe altitude and flight condition is reached, and under the pilot's close supervision and instruction. Many pilots enjoy letting kids try their hand at flying when it is safe to do so (it's not as hard as many people think, and kids usually pick it up faster than adults!) Sometimes though, it's simply not possible, for a variety of reasons. Whether or not the kids are able to handle the controls, there are plenty of things to see, hear, feel, and learn!
What happens to the registration form?
After the flight is completed, the pilot will issue your child the official EAA Young Eagles certificate. The pilot then returns the registration form to the EAA Young Eagles office where the flight will be officially registered in the World's Largest Logbook. You and your child will be able to see the flight information on the Internet at the Young Eagles website (www.YoungEagles.org). At the same time, we understand that privacy is important. Only basic information is displayed on the web and your address and phone number will never become part of the public database. We will send your child follow up information from EAA about our other youth aviation programs and scholarships. Space is provided on the registration form for an E-Mail address. The E-mail address will be used to add your child to the monthly Young Eagles electronic newsletter, which is intended to provide opportunities for your child to further explore aviation and flight with the many excellent educational resources available through EAA. You may opt out of the newsletter subscription at any time and there is no charge for the newsletter. Your child's name and E-mail address will never be sold or used for commercial purposes. EAA is sensitive to keeping your child's contact information confidential and makes every effort to maintain your trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning the EAA's Young Eagles Program.
(This FAQ adapted from the Young Eagles Website)
What is EAA?
EAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More than 170,000 people currently belong to EAA, with local Chapters (such as Chapter 1288 in Valkaria) located in all 50 states and many countries. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts. They enjoy all types of airplanes, including "experimental" aircraft, those aircraft built by individual craftsmen, rather than in a factory. 'Experimental' refers to the category of aircraft designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for these types of airplanes. Similar to standard category aircraft, Experimental aircraft are inspected and certified as airworthy by FAA. EAA's corporate offices and extensive AirVenture Museum are located in Oshkosh. EAA is a 501(c)3 organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. EAA hosts one of the world's largest general aviation events, the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In. The event draws more than 700,000 people and 10,000 aircraft to Oshkosh each summer.
Why was the EAA Young Eagles program started?
The EAA Young Eagles Program was developed in 1992 to welcome young people into the world of aviation. Aviation is exciting and vital to our nation's future and the best way to convey that message is to actually experience flight in a first-hand setting.
What do you hope to gain by taking kids flying?
Each EAA Young Eagle will experience a safe and enjoyable flight that will give them new perspectives on the world and life in general. We feel that Young Eagles program participants will understand that an individual's potential is unlimited and for them, the sky is the limit! We have seen this proven true time and time again.
Who are the Pilots?
The pilots who are participating in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are volunteering their time and aircraft to make these flights possible. Each pilot is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (or if you're outside the USA, the governing organization for aviation, such as Transport Canada) and all aircraft are likewise licensed by the government. The flights will be conducted according to federal regulations. No aerobatic maneuvers will be performed, nor will flights be made during unsafe weather conditions.
How safe are Young Eagles flights?
The YE program has an excellent safety record. Young Eagles flights never involve aerobatics or flights during bad weather. Young Eagles pilots are FAA certified and operate under strict safety guidelines for Young Eagles flight in addition to following all Federal Aviation Regulations. The goal is to ensure that all YE flights are conducted in the lowest-risk manner possible. General Aviation itself has a very good safety record to begin with, and the additional YE flight guidelines are intended to further avoid any situation that may be unsafe while young people are on board. Unfortunately, we have not yet figured out how to fix the most common side effects of a Young Eagles flight... sore facial muscles caused by excess smiling, giddy laughter, and eyes that are opened extra-wide!
How does my child become a Young Eagle?
If your child is between the ages of 8 and 17, find the Young Eagle Coordinator near you. As a parent, you'll need to complete a Young Eagle registration form that is available from your pilot. They can help you fill out the form and answer any other specific questions you may have.
What will the flight be like?
First of all, the pilot will explain what will happen during the flight. This might include talking about the airplane; reviewing an aeronautical chart and identifying reference points during the flight; completing a careful "walk around" preflight inspection of the airplane and identifying the parts that control the airplane; helping buckle your child's seat belt and describing the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel. Once in the air, your child will see the earth and sky in a new and exciting way... they will experience the wonderful freedom of flight that many people only dream about! Many people remember this experience for the rest of their lives. The length of the flight will depend on many factors, but most Young Eagle flights last between 15 and 20 minutes. Once back on the ground, there will be additional time for questions after the flight. Please note that each pilot is encouraged to follow the Young Eagle pilot guidelines, but also has the freedom to customize the flight to make the most of local conditions and facilities. Safety has priority at all times. If the aircraft has more than two seats, there many be more than one Young Eagle on board.
What kind of aircraft will I fly in?
Young Eagle flights can take place in nearly any type of aircraft. Most are flown in small fixed-wing aircraft (for instance, Cessnas and Pipers) but sometimes other aircraft are used... helicopters, gyrocopters, open-cockpit biplanes, powered parachutes, weight-shift ("trikes"), gliders, warbirds, multi-engine planes, hot air balloons and even corporate jets have been the vehicles for "initiating" Young Eagles! All aircraft are properly certified by the FAA (or appropriate organization if you're in another country) as airworthy. About the only type of aircraft we could think of that hasn't yet been used for a Young Eagle flight is the Space Shuttle!
I have a disability. Can I still become a Young Eagle?
Almost any kid between the ages of 8 and 17 can take a Young Eagles flight. By "almost", usually the only restrictions are in getting into the aircraft. Many kids with physical and mental disabilities have taken Young Eagles flights, even when that means making arrangements to accommodate special needs. As a rule, the aviation community is filled with folks who know that they greatest limitations people face are generally the ones that they put upon themselves, far more than any physical limitations we have. When there is a special situation that makes it harder for a young person to take the flight, it's usually just a matter of figuring out how to get situated in the aircraft. Kids with almost every imaginable disability, from blindness to quadriplegia to genetic deformities, have been able to take flights and becoem Young Eagles. And you better believe that some of them went on to become pilots themselves!
Can the kids actually fly the aircraft?
Depending upon the aircraft, the pilot's discretion, the flight conditions, and the young person's abilities and interest, Young Eagles may be able to handle the controls for a portion of the flight. If this is possible on a particular flight, it is always done only after a safe altitude and flight condition is reached, and under the pilot's close supervision and instruction. Many pilots enjoy letting kids try their hand at flying when it is safe to do so (it's not as hard as many people think, and kids usually pick it up faster than adults!) Sometimes though, it's simply not possible, for a variety of reasons. Whether or not the kids are able to handle the controls, there are plenty of things to see, hear, feel, and learn!
What happens to the registration form?
After the flight is completed, the pilot will issue your child the official EAA Young Eagles certificate. The pilot then returns the registration form to the EAA Young Eagles office where the flight will be officially registered in the World's Largest Logbook. You and your child will be able to see the flight information on the Internet at the Young Eagles website (www.YoungEagles.org). At the same time, we understand that privacy is important. Only basic information is displayed on the web and your address and phone number will never become part of the public database. We will send your child follow up information from EAA about our other youth aviation programs and scholarships. Space is provided on the registration form for an E-Mail address. The E-mail address will be used to add your child to the monthly Young Eagles electronic newsletter, which is intended to provide opportunities for your child to further explore aviation and flight with the many excellent educational resources available through EAA. You may opt out of the newsletter subscription at any time and there is no charge for the newsletter. Your child's name and E-mail address will never be sold or used for commercial purposes. EAA is sensitive to keeping your child's contact information confidential and makes every effort to maintain your trust.
