Seventh Annual EAA International Young Eagles Day

Young people around the world will again have the opportunity to "take to the air" on Saturday, June 10, as the EAA Aviation Foundation hosts its seventh annual International Young Eagles Day. The event, the most ambitious, internationally coordinated effort held in conjunction with the Foundation's "Young Eagles Program" each year, seeks to introduce thousands of kids to the world of flight in a single day. The Young Eagles Program was launched during the 1992 EAA Fly-In Convention at Oshkosh, Wis. Its goal is to provide one million young people with a free demonstration airplane ride by the year 2003 - the 100th anniversary of powered flight and the 50th anniversary of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Most Young Eagles are flown throughout the year, but International Young Eagles Day brings a special focus to this unique volunteer program. More than 570,000 young people and 25,000 volunteer pilots have already participated in the program. Those pilots have helped kids gain a new perspective on the world in which they live and the role aviation plays in their everyday lives. The pilots have also become "aviation mentors" and shared their knowledge and experience with a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. The program also brings families out to local airports, where they discover the resource an airport is to a community. "International Young Eagles Day has become a special celebration of the achievements of the Young Eagles Program," said Tom Poberezny, EAA Aviation Foundation President. "Last year more than 15,000 young people discovered the world of flight during International Young Eagles Day. While volunteer pilots fly Young Eagles throughout the year, we hope they put a special emphasis on activities for this day. It provides another great opportunity for EAA members and other associated pilots to 'break down the fences' that might keep the next generation's aviation enthusiasts from discovering the possibilities available to them through aviation." As in past years, dozens of flight rallies will be held on as many as five continents (North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe). In addition to the many large flight rallies scheduled, individual EAA pilots will provide airplane rides to kids in their local area on (or about) June 10 as well as throughout the year. Gen. Chuck Yeager, Honorary Chairman of the Young Eagles Program, has personally flown more than 100 young people since becoming Honorary Chairman in January 1994. He has traditionally participated in International Young Eagles Day each year. "We have a responsibility to pass along our aviation heritage to our kids and grandkids," Yeager said. "Thousands of pilots and other EAA members already have. I hope those who haven't will start soon - if not today, then certainly on June 10." EAA members who are not pilots can also participate in International Young Eagles Day through ground activities at flight rallies or by bringing together an EAA pilot and a young person for a demonstration flight. Other designated organizations that have associated with EAA for the Young Eagles Program will also participate. "Involvement has been the key to making the Young Eagles Program successful," Poberezny concluded. "The goal of flying one million Young Eagles is starting to become something very real and attainable. Each one of us who enjoys the world of flight must share our enthusiasm with someone eager to learn more. That is the challenge for all EAA members and everyone involved in aviation." The Young Eagles Logbook, other information and a schedule of events can be accessed through the Young Eagles World Wide Web site: www.youngeagles.org. For further information please contact: FÚdÚration AÚronautique Internationale Avenue Mon-Repos 24 CH-1005 Lausanne Switzerland Email : press@fai.org Tel : +41 21 345 1070 Fax: +41 21 345 1077