PLEASE NOTE: This event has already occurred.
Please remember that events may be canceled or rescheduled last minute due to unpredictable weather or other factors. We encourage you to reach out to event organizers before heading out to an event to verify it is still happening.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/27/2023
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location
Parkland Institute of Aviation at Willard Airport, Savoy
Categories
Registration is required and spots WILL fill! Registration opens on April 22 at 6 a.m.
Free introductory airplane flights for youth ages 8-17 will be offered at the Institute of Aviation at Parkland College next to Flightstar at Willard Airport in Savoy (NOT at the main terminal). Flights will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and spots can be booked using an online registration system.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled flight. Walk-ins are unlikely to get a flight unless there are no-shows. If this is not your child’s first Young Eagles flight, be sure to bring their logbook from their previous flight and present it when you check-in.
The pilots who participate in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are volunteering their time and aircraft to make your flight possible. Each Young Eagles pilot is certificated with the Federal Aviation Administration or Transport Canada. Flights are conducted according to federal regulations and no aerobatic maneuvers will be performed.
The Young Eagles program has dedicated nearly 25 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane, with over 2 million rides given to date. It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.
Check the EAA Chapter 29 Facebook page for last-minute information regarding cancellations due to weather. If there are storms in the area, it will be canceled.
What will my pre-flight be like?
First of all, your pilot will explain what you will see and do. This may include explaining how airplanes work, looking at an aeronautical chart (or map), and describing the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel. Then comes the fun part: you get to go flying!
Safety Reminders
Safety is always top priority when it comes to aviation. Listen and follow instructions given by your pilot, stay away from the propellers, and stay with your pilot or ground crew at all times.
What will my flight be like?
You will spend about 15 to 20 minutes in the air and follow the basic steps in the flight pattern. You will experience the awesome feeling of flight that many people only dream about. Many people remember this experience for the rest of their lives. You will, too!