EAA Chapter 1426 hosts 180 new Young Eagles

Hillsville, Va. – June 6, 2006 – On a gloriously beautiful Saturday, May 13, 2006, five pilots helped 180 children to soar into the skies and become EAA Young Eagles! The event was EAA Chapter 1426’s first official Young Eagles Rally. Families came from all areas of southwestern Virginia as well as some from North Carolina and even as far away as Pennsylvania! The total crowd coming through the airport was estimated to be 450.

The Rally

Once the children were registered, they participated in Ground School where they were briefed on the parts of an airplane and what they would experience during the flight.

From Ground School, they were dispatched and escorted to the planes in groups of three. Five pilots flew children from about 9 am to 3:30 pm. Airplanes included Cessna 182s, a Cessna 172, Cessna 177 and a Beech Bonanza. Pilots who freely gave of their time, fuel, and use of their personal airplanes were Tim Brown, Twin County Airport Manager, Jody Early, President of Twin County Aviation Corp., and three pilots from the Raleigh, N.C. area: Greg Seibert, Keith Taylor, and Chip Davis. Jim and Sandy Dukeman, EAA Young Eagles Representatives from Raleigh, N.C., were special guests.

After their flight, Jake, the shepherd, greeted new Young Eagles and Event Chair Janet Tate before receiving their certificate and a balsa wood glider.

Parents and children waiting to fly had the opportunity to see a homebuilt helicopter as well as an X-Air under construction (a current chapter project).

Bernardo Dacal-Teijeiro of Roanoke Recreational Aircraft exhibited his X-Air and provided flights to adults (including one parent whose only previous flight experience was being airlifted from a highway accident).

Many enjoyed trying out flight simulators demonstrated by Chapter member Marcus Ogle and also LS Net, a local company. The Woodlawn Ruritans sold hotdogs and nachos.

Pilot Jody Early’s Beech Bonanza.

How It All Began

The Twin Counties (Carroll Co. and Grayson Co.) are in rural, southwestern Virginia, a largely agricultural area. Although the region abounds in scenic beauty, many opportunities generally taken for granted in larger metropolitan areas (the nearest are more than an hour’s drive away) are simply unavailable locally. There are limited opportunities for young people to expand their horizons. Most residents seldom had reason to visit the local general aviation airport, which had badly deteriorated in past years.

With that as a background, a former member of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, Emily Gile was the catalyst that generated local interest in introducing youngsters to aviation through the EAA Young Eagles program and also generating positive news about the local airport. Several other citizens with similar objectives banded together to form what has emerged as EAA Chapter 1426. Before long, Gile had regional Young Eagles coordinator, Jim Dukeman, on site. The rest is history as they say, and Chapter 1426 is extremely proud to have a part in shaping results.

What It’s All About

There seems to be something of a common objective within this group in bringing a positive (and free) experience to young people that will hopefully spark a realization that there are a lot of new and interesting things to explore in this world. It’s also an opportunity to stress to young folks that, through education, they can be successful and meet the challenges ahead in their lives.

The EAA Young Eagles program provides a most gratifying experience for the adult volunteers. We reach many kids who would otherwise probably never have the opportunity to ride in an airplane. One never tires of seeing youngsters step out of airplanes with a huge “wow factor” in their eyes. Hearing a spontaneous “Oh thank you so much” from the newly minted Young Eagles is a very precious and special reward for the efforts put forth.

The Stats• Date: 5/13/06

Start/End Times: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Airport: Twin County (HLX) – Hillsville, VA

Number of pilots: 5

Aircraft: - two Cessna 182s, a Cessna 177 Cardinal, a Cessna 172 and a Beech S-35

Volunteers: about 17

Young Eagles flown: 180

Weather: sunny with some high clouds in the afternoon; winds gusting down the runway in the afternoon; temperature about 65 F

Emily Gile, (second from right) a former WASP, stands with three Young Eagles volunteers.

Pilot Greg Seibert waits in his plane for three soon-to-be Young Eagles.

Pilot Chip Davis with two new Young Eagles.

Pilot Keith Taylor, from Chapel Hill, N.C.

HLH Manager and Pilot Tim Brown.