Kids, teens have chance to fly

Area young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies as Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 790 hosts Young Eagles Flight Rallies at Lake in the Hills Airport.

The rallies are part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation.

Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.1 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.

"Free airplane rides are just part of the rally," said Don Jenerick, spokesman for the event. "We hope to build one-to-one relationships between pilots and young people, giving a new generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in the world of aviation."

Pilots at the event will explain more about their airplanes allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.

Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their names will then be entered into the "World's Largest Logbook," which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. The logbook also is accessible on the Internet at www.youngeagles.org.

Weather permitting, EAA will be flying at Lake in the Hills Airport from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May 10, June 14, Aug. 30, Sept. 27 and Oct. 18. If poor flying conditions occur on the scheduled Saturday, then the flights will take place at the same time on Sunday, the next day.

For more information or to request group scheduling, call (815) 459-6027.