For McKenna Endres, being able to take her second Young Eagles flight at Planes, Trains and Automobiles last weekend was an experience she’ll never forget.
“The pilot was so nice and even allowed me to do takeoff so that was really exciting,” she said.
The experience was another confirmation of her goal: to obtain her pilot’s license and join the Air Force.
“I’m so glad I got to experience this,” said Endres.
Brother Jacob and Ryan Price, who also took a Young Eagle flight, were mesmerized by the instrument panel and the view of the ground from the large windows. “It was pretty cool to get up there and just see more than you would on a commercial flight,” said Ryan.
The event hosted 110 youth who were able to take a Young Eagles flight, a program that started in 1992 with Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)-member pilots volunteering time to fly kids age 8-17 to introduce them to the world of flight.
EAA member Rich Powers said the flights, which lasted between 20 and 30 minutes, are meant to foster the spirit of aviation in youth. “The flights really put smiles on their faces and gets them interested in flying in a way that’s approachable and who knows, maybe they’ll have a career in it,” he said.
For event organizer and City Commissioner Jason Jones, the fun, affordable family event, in its twelfth year, exposes youth to the aviation industry. “What we’ve learned is we’ve taught kids a career path in aviation that was not intended on day one but here in year 12 we’ve learned that happened,” he said.
Those success stories include a youth that took a Young Eagles flight at Plant City Airport and then went on to become a pilot for Delta Airlines. “We’ve also had young men and woman who have taken flights at this airport, gone on to get their pilot’s license and are now flying for the Air Force,” said Jones. “Youth are the next generation and if we can provide them a career path that’s even better.”
Thousands of people attended the event, which featured displays and interactive exhibits of the wonders of the aviation, automobile and train industries.
Jones is excited that this year, he is kicking off a scholarship fund which will help youth who want to get into aviation but face a financial hardship.
For more information about the Young Eagles program visit eaa.org.