Dozens of children get 1st plane rides at Indiana event

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - Pilots in northern Indiana have volunteered their time and their planes to give children a chance at their first flights.

The Elkhart Truth reports that the local Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles event was Saturday at the Elkhart Municipal Airport. Dozens of children took airplane rides for the first time.

Doug Busch coordinated the event. He says many find it difficult to believe they could fly a plane or have a job in aviation. Busch says the Young Eagles event offers the next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers and mechanics a chance to see what they could achieve in their futures.

Busch says the Young Eagles program started in Elkhart about a decade ago. He says the program has flown more than 2 million children nationwide.

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Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.elkharttruth.com