Greg Anderson, the former EAA staffer who came up with the idea for the Young Eagles program, received the 2014 Phillips 66 Aviation Leadership Award last week during AirVenture Oshkosh 2014.
Anderson has dedicated much of his life to inspiring young people to get involved in aviation, personally flying more than 600 youths on Young Eagles flights. Now the head of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver, Anderson worked for EAA for more than 20 years.
Anderson got the idea for the Young Eagles program in the late 1980s as a way to ensure the next generation of aviators would have their first aviation experience at a young age. He presented his idea to EAA founder Paul Poberezny, and the rest is history.
Since the program launched in 1992, more than 1.8 million Young Eagles have flown with EAA’s network of volunteer pilots. Many have gone on to become pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics or pursue other careers in aviation.
Anderson is continuing his inspiring youth activities in his new job at his Colorado museum with programs and exhibits geared toward kids.
Anderson was presented with the Phillips 66 Award at the Young Eagles Banquet at AirVenture.
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