I ever was able to do that as a hobby, I would totally love that.” While the rally is a great way for children to be introduced to the Young Eagles program, kids can participate at any time during the year. Butcher, who can be contacted through the Kalamazoo EAA (eaa221.org), gives individual flights himself or puts would-be riders in touch with other pilots. In addition, other chapters in the region hold rallies at different times, and International Young Eagles Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of June at airfields across the country.
Young Eagles Rally What: Free flights for children ages 8 to 17 provided by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association
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When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 3 Where: Air Zoo East Campus, 3101 E. Milham Road Parent or guardian permission is required. Registration begins April 25; sign up by sending an email to youngeagle221@ gmail.com or by calling (269) 599-0122 and leaving a message. If sending a child up in an “experimental” aircraft gives you pause, rest assured, it’s not what it sounds like. The term merely refers to a class of aircraft that, unlike commercial planes, do not have to be built and maintained using only parts and mechanics approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most experimental craft are built from kits or blueprints and have to be certified as airworthy by the FAA. “They’re proven designs. They’ve been tested,” Butcher says. Since EAA pilots often build their own planes, they have a vested interest in their safety. Similarly, sharing their love of flight is not an entirely selfless act. Butcher hopes Young Eagles will remember the experience fondly as adults and want to support noncommercial aviation. If a local community is debating keeping the local airport open, he would like a former Young Eagle to say, “You know, I had a little airplane ride, and that was kind of cool, and, yeah, we probably ought to keep it.”
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