Jim Greer with his 500th Young Eagle

Last update: 1 NOV 09

About EAA Chapter 186's Young Eagle Program

In 2008, the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) recognized Chapter 186 members Rick Rahim of Great Falls, George Smith of Purcellville and Richard Largent of Stephens City with Top Eagle awards for their participation in the EAA's Young Eagles Program.

Over the past year, in the Commonwealth of Virginia alone, 120 pilots gave 1,707 young people an introduction to aviation though the program. Rahim topped the list with 193 Young Eagles flown, Smith came in second with 117 flights and Largent came in third place, flying 85 Young Eagles.

"This year's participation from Virginia's pilots was outstanding," said Randy Burdette, director of DOAV. "The time and resources they put into the program help introduce a whole new generation to the world of aviation."

The Young Eagles Program passed a milestone in June with it's 1.4 millionth flight since the program's beginning. Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 different countries and have been flown by more than 41,000 volunteer pilots.

Pictures from 2008 Girl Scout Day at the Udvar-Hazy Center

Click on thumbnail to see large picture

2009 Air Academy Selections Have Been Made!

The 2009 Air Academy selections have been made. The Chapter plans to sponsor five youngsters this year to attend the 2009 camps. The following youngsters were selected:

The youngsters and their families have beem notified of their selections. Sponsorship of these youngsters will be made through donations to the Robert J. Swanson Memorial Scholarship, as well as Chapter funds. In addition, the Young Eagle Credits received by Chapter 186 will be split among the youngsters to help offset the cost of the tuition. Thank you Young Eagles pilots who flew 10 or more Young Eagles in 2008! These youngsters will be required to volunteer at two chapter events and give a brief presentation to the general membership about their Air Academy experience.

EAA 186 Private Pilot Grant

Age Requirement: 16-20 years old
Certificate Requirement: To achieve a Private Pilot Certificate or Sport Pilot Certificate.
Time Requirement: Must complete the flight training program within 2 years from the date of approval of the application.

EAA Chapter 186 offers funds to offset the cost of you getting your Private Pilot Certificate or Sport Pilot Certificate. These funds, currently $2,000, are payable in four increments that are payable to the flight school used (except for payment 4, which may be paid directly to the grant holder) as follows:

1. $200--When you pass the FAA Knowledge Exam;
2. $400--When you solo the aircraft;
3. $600--When you complete a solo cross-country flight; and
4. $800--When you pass the check ride.

EAA Student Memberships Now Available!

EAA is now offering a special Student Membership Kit to yougsters ages 13-17 years old. To get your youngsters a membership, they will need to request a Student Membership Kit at a cost of $10 from EAA National. The Student Membership Kit includes:

EAA Student Members also receive year-long access to:

If interested in this Student Membership, click here to check out what you need to do to get a Student Membership Kit.

The Young Eagles Mission

The mission of the EAA Aviation Foundation's Young Eagles Program is to provide a motivational aviation experience, focusing on a demonstration flight in an airplane. The flights are provided free of charge to any youth ages 8-17 wishing to participate.

The Young Eagles Goal

Our goal was to fly 1 million Young Eagles by the year 2003 - the dawn of aviation's second century and 50th anniversary of the Experimental Aircraft Association. This goal was achieved on October 25th, 2003. Since December 2003, EAA National's goal is to fly 100,000 youngsters annually. Thanks to the many young eagles pilots, they have been successful in achieving that goal. EAA Chapter 186 sets a goal of flying 500 youngsters annually. This goal was reached in 2005, 2006 and 2007!

The Benefits of Becoming a Young Eagle

• Each Young Eagle participant will become a member of "Eagle Flight." They will know the exhilaration and freedom of flight, as shared by a dedicated pilot whose life has been positively influenced by aviation. A Young Eagle will also come to see and understand - as through the eyes of an eagle - that the true potential of life lies beyond everyday surroundings and may be reached through the pursuit of high personal goals.
• Every Young Eagle is entered into the "World's Largest Logbook" maintained at the EAA Air Adventure Museum located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. These names are kept for perpetuity alongside the names of aviation's greatest, such as the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and many more. Each member will also find the date the flight took place, the type of aircraft and the name of the pilot who shared this experience.

Chapter 186 is actively involved in promoting the Young Eagles Program. Between the years 1992 and 2007, over 10,000 youths were introduced to the miracle of flight by Chapter 186 Young Eagle pilots. Free introductory airplane flights for youngsters ages 8 to 17 are available. To coordinate a flight for a prospective Young Eagle, e-mail Sheila Swanson or contact her by phone at 571-244-7696. This may be arranged for one youngster or groups of two to 30+ youngsters. Gender makes no difference, flights are conducted for all those who have the desire to experience this wonderful activity.

Please let the contact know if you are interested in participating in an event rather than just show up. Sometimes the events are small and additional help is not needed. We don't want to waste anyone's time and fuel.

The Young Eagles Coordinator for Chapter 186, Sheila Swanson, 571-244-7696, must schedule the Young Eagles Events. This is because Sheila will need to apply to EAA National for a Certificate of Insurance for the event. Also, the hosting airport must be notified and provided with a copy of the Certificate of Insurance once it is received. This is not to say you cannot fly a couple of youngsters here and there without the benefit of a notification to EAA National. A good rule of thumb is if you plan to have a Young Eagles event where ten or more youngsters are going to be flown, you should have a Certificate of Insturance and the airport should be notified of the event.

There are pilot and other requirements that also must be met. These include:

Ground crew members do not have to be EAA members. They are welcome to come out to help with paperwork, escorting youngsters to and from the aircraft and hearing about the experience.

2008 Chapter Goal: 500 Youngsters -- We reached our goal!! Thank you pilots and ground support!!

*** Milestones ***

Pilots who have flown 10 Young Eagles for 2008: Allan Badrow, Don Botzer, Dave Fields, Jim Greer, Ray Hoover, Jim Jeans, Bill Judge, Rich Largent, Juergen Nies, Andy Ozols, Rick Rahim, Alan Reichert, George Smith, Bill Steele, Mike Stock, Mike Sullivan and Fred Wimberly

Rick Rahim flew his 400th youngster on March 30, 2008!

Juergen Nies flew his 100th youngster on June 14, 2008!

Rich Largent flew his 700th youngster on June 22, 2008!

George Smith flew his 1300th youngster on October 26, 2008!

Jim Jeans flew his 100th youngster on November 1, 2008!

Rick Rahim flew his 500th youngster on November 23, 2008!

Congratulations to all!

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