by Tara Walker
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is pleased to announce they are resuming the Young Eagles Flight Rally on October 19 at the Granby Airport Terminal Building at Emily Warner Field at 8:30 a.m.
The program allows children between the ages of 8-17 who have never flown before to go on a free introductory flight with an experienced pilot. Many of Grand County’s youth have developed a passion for airplanes and flying through their first flight with EAA.
Grand County youth can also attend camps through EAA scholarships.
EAA is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with over 200,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapters worldwide. EAA members are interested in aviation and share their passion and knowledge with others. Grand County’s EAA chapter 1267 began over 16 years ago and now has around 30 members attending meetings at the Granby Airport. Since its inception, EAA 1267 has given around $84,000 in scholarships and over 570 youth flights through the Young Eagle Program. The EAA is excited to be offering free flights again.
EAA Vice President Rick Howard explained their focus from early on was to develop funds to assist youth in Grand County. Howard estimates that the local EAA chapter awarded around $12,000 in summer camp scholarships this year and $2,000 for aviation college scholarships for students in Grand County. Most of the funds come from their yearly summer pancake breakfast and fly-in at the Granby Airport. While the funding has helped students, the free flights were discontinued last year due to lack of pilots and volunteers and stricter screening processes for volunteers.
Howard says of EAA’s programs, “We have over 80 plaques hanging on the wall at the Granby airport. Those plaques show the names of all the youth we’ve helped in Grand County. I see students that have attended camps or have received college scholarships. It’s an amazing sight to see. We hope to be able to help even more youth in Grand County.”
Please R.S.V.P. to rickhoward1111@ gmail.com to reserve your spot as there are limited spaces available. Contact Rick Howard for more information for a future flight or youth educational opportunities.
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