Local pilots share their love of flying by giving free flights to kids
NORWICH – Four local pilots volunteered their time on Saturday to give free flights to more than 70 local children and teens during Airport Day at the Lt. Warren Eaton Airport in Norwich.
Experimental Aircraft Association members David Dibbell, John Garzione, Jeff MacIntosh and Bryan Pierce used their personal aircraft to give the plane rides as part of the EAA’s Young Eagles program.
According to Dibbell, who serves as the local coordinator for the program, the purpose of the Young Eagles program is “to provide a positive educational exposure to the world of aviation and spark an interest in the sport and the industry.”
Seventy two students between the ages of 8 and 17 received free flights through the program this year, a number the program coordinator said is a record for the event. Last year, the EAA volunteers provided just over 40 of the free flights.
For the pilots involved, it is a chance to share their love of flying with the younger generation.
“If even one or two of the 70 students leaves with a sincere interest in pursuing aviation, recreationally or as a career, we feel we’ve done something good,” Dibbell said.
Many of the students already come with an interest in flying and have questions ready, he said, which the pilots are happy to answer. At the completion of the flight, each Young Eagle received a certificate signed by Harrison Ford, the program’s Honorary National Chairman.
Comprised of local recreational pilots, flight instructors, experimental aircraft builders and balloonists, EAA is dedicated to generating interest in aviation. The local chapter is led by President Dave Sheldon.
In addition to the Young Eagles program, they also help students attend the EAA Air Academy summer camp and provide scholarships to local graduates interested in pursuing a career in an aviation-related field.
For more information, visit www.eaa.org.
Experimental Aircraft Association members David Dibbell, John Garzione, Jeff MacIntosh and Bryan Pierce used their personal aircraft to give the plane rides as part of the EAA’s Young Eagles program.
According to Dibbell, who serves as the local coordinator for the program, the purpose of the Young Eagles program is “to provide a positive educational exposure to the world of aviation and spark an interest in the sport and the industry.”
Seventy two students between the ages of 8 and 17 received free flights through the program this year, a number the program coordinator said is a record for the event. Last year, the EAA volunteers provided just over 40 of the free flights.
For the pilots involved, it is a chance to share their love of flying with the younger generation.
“If even one or two of the 70 students leaves with a sincere interest in pursuing aviation, recreationally or as a career, we feel we’ve done something good,” Dibbell said.
Many of the students already come with an interest in flying and have questions ready, he said, which the pilots are happy to answer. At the completion of the flight, each Young Eagle received a certificate signed by Harrison Ford, the program’s Honorary National Chairman.
Comprised of local recreational pilots, flight instructors, experimental aircraft builders and balloonists, EAA is dedicated to generating interest in aviation. The local chapter is led by President Dave Sheldon.
In addition to the Young Eagles program, they also help students attend the EAA Air Academy summer camp and provide scholarships to local graduates interested in pursuing a career in an aviation-related field.
For more information, visit www.eaa.org.
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