November 11, 2004 - Nearly one year to the day after it reached 1 million Young Eagles flown, EAA entered Young Eagle No. 1.1 million as the world's most popular youth aviation program continues to reach new heights. On November 6, Kevin McCue, EAA 678364, of Tucson, Arizona, piloted his 1947 Luscombe 8E with 16-year-old Rebecca Flynn of Sahuarita, Arizona, on board. Five days later, Rebecca, a Navy ROTC Cadet, was entered into the world's largest logbook as Young Eagle No. 1.1 million.
EAA registered the 1 millionth Young Eagle, Andrew Grant, on November 10, 2003, so the program is solidly on track for meeting EAA's primary goal for its Chapters and members to fly 100,000 kids per year.
"Reaching this 1.1 million milestone reaffirms the excitement and enthusiasm our member volunteers still have for the program and that Young Eagles is an ongoing part of what makes EAA special," said EAA Young Eagles Director Steve Buss. "Rather than being a program with a one-time goal, EAA Young Eagles is on firm footing as it moves to the future."
Young Eagles' primary goal to fly 100,000 kids annually will continue to provide the foundation for the program's future direction and growth, Buss added. "Young Eagles forms the basis that allows us to look for different, exciting ways to engage our youth in aviation."
McCue has flown about 10 kids so far in 2004, mostly during the monthly Tucson Chapter 81 fly-ins that happen the first Saturday of fall and winter months. "During the warmer months, it's too hot for the kids," he explained, "so we don't hold flight rallies until this time of the year, when it cools off." McCue also took part in flying kids at this year's Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In.
McCue spent five years in the U.S. Air Force as an airborne Arabic linguist. He is also a homebuilder, having completed a Rans S-17 four years. "That's about the time I joined EAA," he said.
While fighting with a local airport to allow ultralight operations, he bought the Luscombe, which he termed his "flying restoration project." McCue began flying in 1978 when he earned his glider rating. He believes in Young Eagles as a way of giving something back to kids. "We need to motivate young people, get some new pilots for the future," he said.
The milestone pilot has accepted EAA's invitation to appear at Oshkosh as EAA's guest for the annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on December 17 featuring SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill.
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Rebecca Flynn, the 1.1 millionth EAA Young Eagle, and her pilot Kevin McCue.
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