Eight Boys and girls ages 8-17 had an opportunity to experience an airplane ride on Sunday, June 10, as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 315 of the North Jersey Shore hosted a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Lakewood Airport. This event was not advertised but had been planned as a make-up for young people who had signed up to fly at a Young Eagles event in October but due to an overwhelming response, were unable to get in the air that day.

Post cards were mailed to all the young people who had registered, but been unable to fly in October asking them to sign up for a time slot on June 10. Fifty-two were scheduled to fly on Sunday, but the weather did not cooperate. The event was stopped after only four flights.

The EAA Young Eagles Program was created to interest young people in aviation. Since the program was launched in 1992, Volunteer EAA pilots have flown over 2 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries. The North Jersey Shore Chapter 315 has flown 631 since 2004.

There is no charge for Young Eagle flights. Pilots taking part in the event are all volunteers donating their time and the use of their airplanes. They demonstrate how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight. Even if the young people never pursue a pilot’s license, the EAA hopes to have created friends of aviation.

Following the flight, each young person received a logbook and a certificate making him or her an official Young Eagle. Their names will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.