Tacoma Narrows’ Airport Day Inspires Next Generation of Aviators

Vintage airplanes and cars, and Young Eagles flights encourage lifelong passion.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, September 01, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Trish WIlliams (right) poses with Violet Weir, a senior in high school who has been building airplanes with EAA Chapter 406 for several years. Weire has earned several scholarships and is pursuing her pilot certificate. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

Airport Days are community-focused open house events designed to introduce families, especially children, to aviation through displays of vintage aircraft, educational exhibits, and interactive experiences.
A central feature of these events is the Young Eagles program, offering free introductory flights to children aged 8-17, serving as a significant inspiration for future aviators.
The success of such events, particularly the Young Eagles flights, relies heavily on dedicated volunteers and meticulous organization, with a strong emphasis on preparation, safety, and supporting participating pilots.

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Do you remember the first time someone took you to the airport and you had a chance to get up close with a small airplane? I do.

I was 4 years old. It was a J-3 Cub owned by a man my father worked with. There was a celebration at the airport, and owners were allowing kids to get into the cockpits of their airplanes. The memory of that day surfaces for me every time I see a Piper Cub on display at an airport, such as the 1946 model on display at Tacoma Narrows Airport (KTIW) over the weekend as part of its annual Airport Day.