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EAA Chapter Marks 20,000 Young Eagles Flights

EAA Chapter 579 in Sugar Grove, Illinois, recently became the first group to log 20,000 Young Eagles flights.

[Credit: Mike Baer]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • EAA Chapter 579 in Sugar Grove, Illinois, achieved a world record by surpassing 20,000 Young Eagle flights, the highest number for any chapter globally.
  • The Young Eagles program provides free flights for children ages 8-17 to introduce them to aviation, with Chapter 579's dedicated volunteers hosting regular rallies.
  • The chapter's rallies are highly organized, featuring online registration, a variety of aircraft, and engaging activities like miniature ground school, flight simulators, and static displays to enhance the experience for participants.
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One of the best parts of being a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association is the opportunity to participate in Young Eagles rallies. Just ask the members of EAA Chapter 579 in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The chapter just surpassed 20,000 Young Eagle Rides—that’s more than any other chapter in the world.

“This is a huge milestone for our chapter and all the volunteers involved,” says EAA chapter president and Young Eagles pilot Mike Baer. “We all love aviation, and being able to share the magic of flying with so many kids is very special.”

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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