DreamLaunch Tour Continues

Daytona Beach, Fla. - October 26, 2005 – Following his first flight with the EAA Young Eagles program at age 12, Jamail Larkins pursued his pilot’s license and is now inspiring other young people to follow their dreams. Currently an aerobatic pilot and senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he has begun flying around the country supporting aviation and giving EAA Young Eagle flights on his DreamLaunch Tour. Larkins, now 21 years old, is flying a new Cirrus SR20 on the DreamLaunch Tour. At each tour stop, he gives a half-hour presentation to students in middle and high schools. In the presentation, Jamail discusses opportunities available through aviation programs and talks about careers in the aviation industry. He also encourages students to achieve their goals throughout life in all fields of study. The presentation, "Navigating the Journey of Life," uses examples from flight to illustrate how to work through problems in everyday life and in school. Jamail has also organized an essay contest and the winners from each school are invited on a Young Eagles flight. According to Larkins, seeing the smiles on the faces of the new Young Eagles and knowing how large of an impact it makes on them is the most rewarding part of the process. Larkins kicked off the 2005 tour in Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 10. Having just completed the fifth stop on this year’s tour, Larkins said, “The first tour was a huge learning experience. We are putting everything we learned into action this time and its going really well.” He will make 16 total stops by the end of the tour in November. Larkins is the national spokesperson for the EAA Young Eagles Program and Careers in Aviation. Careers in Aviation promotes aviation and provides aviation career opportunities to youth. Embry-Riddle and Careers in Aviation are partners in the DreamLaunch Tour, which is sponsored by AeroShell, AirShares Elite, Cirrus, Cox Communications, Lift, and Michelin. About Jamail Larkins Jamail soloed at age 14 in Canada, soloed in the United States on his 16th birthday and earned his Private Pilot Certificate the following year. At age 16, he was the first and youngest student pilot to solo in a Cirrus SR20. An active Young Eagles volunteer, Larkins has also been involved in special projects with the Be-A-Pilot Program, Careers In Aviation, and the EAA Aviation Foundation. Jamail has performed aerobatics at several air shows When not flying, he has hosted radio shows and written for several aviation publications. He also maintains a blog on the Young Eagles web site. Currently Larkins has flown over 36 different types of aircraft and has logged about 900 hours of total flight time. Learn More DreamLaunch Tour Home Page Jamail’s Blog

Jamail Larkins poses in front of the Embry-Riddle Eagle. Larkins explains the functions of the different controls to a new EAA Young Eagle. Jamail and a new Young Eagle. At each of the DreamLaunch tour stops winners of an essay contest are invited to fly with Jamail. Larkins makes some final safety checks prior to a Young Eagle flight.

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