Flying High

A young man takes a free flight on Aviation Day!

For many children, their first airplane ride can be an inspiration; or at least, that’s what the Friends of Ephraim/Gibraltar Airport are hoping. That’s why on May 19 the airport will host EAA Young Eagles Aviation Day, encouraging kids to learn about and take their first steps in the field of aviation.

Five fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters will be on hand that morning to take kids ages 8 to 17 up for free flights around the county. According to event organizer Jon Neville, it’s an experience that the children will never forget.

“The smiles on these kids’ faces when they get off the plane is unbelievable,” he says. “For some of these kids it’s their first airplane ride. Initially, some are excited as can be, but some are scared or apprehensive. We want to introduce this as a not-scary event.”

In an effort to both educate and cut any kid’s apprehension off at the pass, the pilots at the event will also be explaining the science of airplanes, making sure each kid knows exactly how and why airplanes fly before they step into one. The goal is not only to make sure children have a good time, but to create a future generation of aviators.

“A lot of career pilots are retiring, and the kids just aren’t picking it up,” says Neville. “There’re a lot of jobs out there in aviation.”

The flights start at 9 am, and children just need to show up and sign up to take to the skies. There will also be free food and drinks on-hand for future fliers and their parents.

For more information about the event, call 920.621.3018. For additional information visit http://www.friendsofephraimgibraltarairport.com.