EAA Chapter 534 pilot, Roger Sturtevant, and his Young Eagle crew Clair and Levi Rogers get ready for their exciting flight.

Article and Photos by Ted Luebbers

Ten young people became Young Eagles at the Leesburg International Airport in Leesburg, FL with the help of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534.

These flights took place on February 1, 2025, under high but cloudy skies and very little wind. The cloud ceiling was around 3200 feet and possible rain had been forecast for later in the day.

This was not the typical Florida sunny, warm day that this state is famous for at this time of year. No problem for EAA Chapter 534, their volunteer pilots and ground crew had everything well organized and the Young Eagle Rally went off like clockwork.

The festivities began at 9 am. as young people along with their parents convened in the chapter’s hangar to fill out all the requisite paperwork.

 This was followed by an orientation to the Young Eagles and their parents given by Chapter 534 Vice President John Weber.   He then showed the kids how a preflight is generally done on a small general aviation aircraft, using his own Kitfox plane pulled up in front of the hangar.

EAA Chapter 534 pilot, Jim Rogers, gets ready to fly with his Young Eagle copilot, Mason McClintock.

After this, each child was assigned to an EAA pilot and they were escorted to the flight line ramp.

Each of the EAA Chapter 534 pilots volunteer their time, private planes, and fuel cost.  These planes are generally small single engine fixed wing aircraft seating from 1 to 3 passengers. 

Many times, the young person sitting beside the pilot will get a chance to experience the thrill of actually flying the plane themselves, under the watchful guidance of their EAA pilot.

These flights usually last 20 to 30 minutes. Since most of these kids live in close proximity to the airport the pilots will fly them over their neighborhoods so they can see their homes from the air.

After their first flight in a small single-engine plane, Clair and Levi Rogers posed displaying their commemorative flight certificate signed by their pilot Roger Sturtevant.

After they land, it is always gratifying to see the wide smiles on the faces of these young people as they deplane.

It’s obvious they had a great experience.

At this point, the pilots escort their young crew members back to the hangar where they will debrief with their folks, and receive a commemorative certificate of their flight, as well an official log book, both signed by their pilot.

The motivation behind getting these youngsters up in the air in these small planes is to have them experience the wonder and freedom of flight.

  The hope is that this experience will inspire them to one day become a private pilot or cultivate an interest in some other area of aerospace.

It is well known these days that there is a need for both pilots and aircraft mechanics.

EAA Chapter 534 pilot and Young Eagles co-coordinator, Jack Hickey, gets his Young Eagle, Ryan Ricci ready for flight.

EAA Chapter 534 runs these free Young Eagle Rallies the first Saturday of each month weather permitting.  They are available to any young person ages 8 to 17.

If one of your children has ever expressed an interest in aviation check out your local airport to see if they have a EAA Chapter that runs these Young Eagle Rallies.

You can also go online to the National EAA organization located in Oshkosh WI. at www.eaa.org/youngeagles to find out more about this program.

There are also many other perks for a Young Eagle. One of the best is a free online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

 This course teaches the basics of flying and prepares any flight student for the Federal Aviation Administration written exam necessary for completion of a Private Pilot’s license.  Furthermore, EAA will pay for the exam if they pass it. They also will pay for one free flying lesson at a flight school of their choice.

On this day, EAA Chapter 534 provided 10 volunteer pilots and their planes. Ten other chapter members were available to escort parents safely back and forth to the flight line, help with the paperwork, run the computer and explain aircraft building projects going on in the hangar.

If you would like more information about National EAA or EAA Chapter 534 you may go to the following websites, www.eaa.org and www.eaachapter534.org

 

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