"Young Eagles" and Parents line up at the Flightline at RochesterWings 2009.  Photo: Paul Pakusch

...from the EAA Young Eagles website:

          As a member of EAA Chapter 44, I had supported previous Wings events either manning the chapter’s booth promoting EAA to the public or assisting at the registration table with the necessary Young Eagles paperwork. This year, I attended Wings representing NYAviator. For the first time, I was on the “outside”, a parent signing up my own two aspiring Young Eagles for a flight. I was able to see how the Young Eagles operation ran in its entirety. To say I was impressed would be a significant understatement.

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

A Young Eagle's Experience - By Rebecca Snow

    Walking to the aircraft made me a little nervous… There were other airplanes moving to get to the runway and back. I didn’t want to get run over! But once we reached the Cessna, I was happy. Seats were chosen (my brother sitting in the front passenger seat, and I was in the back) and we buckled up. The pilot started the engine and we moved towards the runway for take-off.

    We were lining up behind two or three other planes when we arrived at the runway. Excitement and anticipation bubbled within me. It seemed like forever until we finally took off, ready to fly our course. A wide smile was plastered on my face.

Photo: Marty Snow

Photo: Marty Snow

Photo: Marty Snow

    In the air, the scenery of Rochester was amazing; so beautiful. There were a lot of trees and nature, such as ponds or other bodies of water. Also, there was farmland to be seen; vast lands of open fields covered in soil. There were neighborhoods, as well, and many of the houses had pools, with visibly blue water. It was a really pretty shade of blue. Everything that we see around us on the ground is even more amazing from in the sky.

    When we were approaching the airport for landing, I was sad to see the sky go, back above me. It was nice being able to see from up high in the sky.

    We landed, bouncing just a bit, and taxied back to the ramp. The plane ride was over. I missed the big blue sky already, but I hope it won’t be too long before I ride in another airplane.

Photo: Becca Snow

Photo: Becca Snow

Photo: Becca Snow

Video from the Cockpit - By Tyler Snow

Video Shot by Tyler from the cockpit during Young Eagles flight. Camera: JVC Everio MS-100

          While some Young Eagle flights are initiated by interested young people contacting a volunteer pilot and scheduling a flight, an event such as RochesterWings creates the opportunity to offer flights to many prospective Young Eagles. Over the last three annual RochesterWings events, EAA Chapter 44 has conducted the flights of over 300 Young Eagles. This year would add another 141.

          To successfully run a program of this magnitude requires a well-orchestrated group of dedicated volunteers. The organization and planning for this program actually occurs months before the day of the event. The local Chapter’s EAA Young Eagles Program Coordinator meets with the RochesterWings organizers to plan the needed logistics. Requirements include a place for registering participants, an area to conduct safety briefings, safe corridors to usher participants and parents to the flight-line, an area for aircraft, and an established standard flight route for the pilots to fly.

          A website is setup to promote the event, provide information to prospective participants and allow pre-registration for flights. Pre-registration helps to ensure sufficient pilots and aircraft are available to support the expected number of participants.

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

          Many different roles & responsibilities need to be assumed in order to create a flight operation environment that is both safe and enjoyable. There is an “Air Boss” that checks and approves each volunteer pilot’s paperwork. There are volunteers that register the participants, give safety briefings, usher participants to the flight-line, assign participants to aircraft, and ensure that flight certificates are signed by the pilots and given to the Young Eagles after their flights.

          On the flight-line, ground crews move and direct aircraft to help pilots safely taxi into the area, park their aircraft, and then taxi out of the area. Last, but far from least, are the pilots. These are aircraft owners that donate their time, aircraft and flying skills to provide an unforgettable aviation experience to the Young Eagle participants.

          The RochesterWings 2009 event saw an outstanding level of support by area pilots. A total of 19 pilots and aircraft were available to fly the Young Eagles. There was an impressive assortment of aircraft including Beechcrafts, Cessnas, Pipers, a Grumman Widgeon amphibian, and an ultra-sleek GP-4 high-performance homebuilt.

          It is just my opinion, but given how tough the economy has been this year and how expensive it can be to own, maintain and operate an aircraft, I think this wonderful group of pilots came with the sentiment of “the heck with the economy, we’re going to fly and give these kids an awesome flight experience they’ll remember!”

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

Photo: Paul Pakusch

To Young Eagle Program Volunteers and Pilots - Thank You!

          As a parent, pilot and member of the local aviation community, I want to express my appreciation and thanks to all of the pilots and volunteers that made RochesterWings and the Young Eagles Program such a success this year. You have made us proud and brought aviation to the public in its best positive form. Because of you, seeds have been planted - seeds that will yield future aviators - sport, commercial, and military pilots, test pilots and maybe even an astronaut or two!

For more information about the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Rochester, NY EAA Chapter 44, or the Young Eagles Program: