Ben Scarborough, a private pilot and member of the Sulphur Springs EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter, is helping spread the word about the Young Eagles Rally to be held at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport on Saturday April 27, 2019 between 9am and noon. The free flight experience is open to any youth age 8-17 who has an interest in taking an airplane ride. About 14 local pilots with planes have volunteered to give flights in the local leg of this world-wide event. Quitman/Mineola EAA Chapter pilots will join in too, so there should be plenty of planes and pilots for the morning’s flights. Civil Air Patrol cadets will help out on the ground during the exciting event.
What will the experience be like? To start with, a parent or guardian must be present to sign forms at the registration table. Next, the young flight candidates will take a safety class/ground school by groups, and then await their turn in the air with a qualified pilot. There may be one, two or three youth on each flight. After the plane lands, each youth will receive a log book documenting their first flight, and each will receive a code which will enable them to attend an actual ground school at an airport near them, as an incentive for future flying interest. This ‘gateway to aviation’ is provided free of charge through EAA International. It is the hope of the local chapter to give over 150 free flights to youngsters at the April 27, 2019 Young Eagles Rally. (In case of high winds or bad weather, the rally will be re-scheduled for Saturday May 4)
