Growing Participation in Aviation Pathways and Education EAA strives to grow participation in aviation by offering pathways to people of all ages and backgrounds. By inviting the public – both youth and adults – to experience flight, and offering assistance throughout the certification process, we ensure the future of aviation will progress. Young Eagles
EAA Eagle Flights
In 2012, a total of 79,253 Young Eagles were flown, surpassing the original goal of 78,000 flyers, and resulting in the most Young Eagles flown since 2006. As EAA’s Young Eagles celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2012, more than 1.7 million Young Eagles have taken flight since the program’s inception. Five hundred fifty chapters held more than 1,600 Young Eagles rallies, contributing to the success of the program. For the third year in a row, EAA provided free membership and flight training ground school through Sporty’s Pilot Shop to students until their 19th birthday as part of the Young Eagles Flight Plan. EAA continues to award vouchers for first flight lessons to those who have completed the second phase of the Sporty’s course. Phillips 66 continues to be the named presenter of the Young Eagles program.
EAA launched the Eagle Flights program at AirVenture 2012 as a mentorship program. Eagle Flights are designed to recruit adults with the desire to fly and give them the personal contact they need into order to fulfill that desire. Chapters have embraced the program as it works to not only grow the pilot population, but also to assist them in recruiting new chapter members. Each participant in the Eagle Flight program is provided a six month membership in EAA and is asked by their Eagle Flight Pilot to join the respective chapter who offered the flight. Our chapters are without a doubt the right source to offer mentorship in all things aviation. Since its inception, just over 600 Eagle Flights have been given and EAA has set a goal of giving 1,000 Eagle Flights in the next year. Scholarships
Air Academy EAA’s Air Academy had another record-breaking year, with 377 students participating in the camp. Campers rated their overall experience an average of 4.6 out 5. Because of its high level of participant satisfaction and knack for keeping young people busy during the summer by giving them a chance to develop their passions and expand their horizons, MSN Money named the Air Academy program as one of 10 nationwide summer camps that are worth the money. The week-long camps inspire the next generation of aviators by introducing them to aviation by getting them in close contact with aircraft, experiencing flight and engaging in numerous other aviation activities. Additionally, the Air Academy Lodge, located on EAA’s grounds, hosts several educational programs throughout the year from various school, scouting and youth programs. The past fiscal year hosted overnight educational programs to nearly 725 students.
6 | Growing Participation in Aviation
EAA, with the help of many donors, continues to assist young people who are seeking opportunities to engage in aviation. These aspiring young achievers will become the next generation of aviators. To support their journey, our scholarship awards are given in these key areas: Air Academy scholarships that help young people from around the country attend our ACA accredited aviation camp, flight training scholarships that help young people pursue a pilot’s license, and post secondary awards that enable young people to pursue academic credentials. This last year, 41 young people received scholarships totaling $195,000. Of those, seven were flight training awards, seven were academic awards and nine were internships. Additionally, 5,618 Young Eagles were given free enrollment in EAA’s flight training ground school provided by Sporty’s, and 217 Young Eagles received a voucher to receive a first flight lesson at no charge.