(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to the Patriot by Chip Sauers).

Area young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies Saturday, May 15, as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 551 hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at the St. Cloud Regional Airport.  

The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation.  Since the program was launched in 1992, Volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than two million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.

“Free airplane rides are just part of the Flight Rally,” said Chip Sauers, spokesman for the event.  “We hope to build one-to-one relationships between pilots and young people, giving a new generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in the world of aviation.”

Pilots at the event will also explain more about their airplanes allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.

Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle.  Their name will then be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, WI.  The Logbook is also accessible on the Internet at www.youngeagles.org.  

In addition to the Certificate, the new Young Eagle will be given a Logbook with an access code for a complete free online Flight Training course offered by Sporty’s.

Along with flight rallies, EAA members also fly Young Eagles on an individual basis.  Each pilot volunteers their time and aircraft so the flights can be provided free of charge for interested young people.

Additional information about EAA and the EAA Young Eagles program is available on the Internet.  Access to EAA’s Home Page is available at www.eaa.org.  The Young Eagles web page is www.youngeagles.org. 

Those who would like to attend the Young Eagles Rally Saturday, May 15 are asked pre-register online at youngeaglesday.org.  There are a maximum of 60 spaces available. Please arrive on time or your space could be lost. For questions or large groups for the May 15 Rally, contact Chip Sauers at 320-248-8384.