Young people ages 8-to-17 can experience the joy of flying in an airplane as the Young Eagles Rally returns to the Calvada Meadows Airpark on Saturday.
The flying begins at 8 a.m.
Sponsored by Pahrump’s Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the event is to introduce youth to the science of aviation by offering free airplane flights.
Since the international program was launched in 1992, voluntary EAA pilots have flown more than two million young people, residing in more than 90 countries.
Glenna Wagner, EAA president of Pahrump’s Chapter, said pilots at the event will explain about their planes, allowing young people to discover how they work and how pilots ensure safety.
She also said several pilots from all over Southern Nevada have signed on to participate this Saturday.
A parent or guardian must accompany their child to the airpark.
“We usually have anywhere from five to nine pilots taking part in this event,” she said. “We get pilots from Laughlin Nevada, Boulder City, Henderson, as well as Las Vegas and North Las Vegas and of course here in Pahrump.”
Each flight averages 15 to 20 minutes.
Wagner said after the youth soar over the valley floor, they will receive a certificate certifying they are an official Young Eagle.
Additionally, Wagner said the youths’ names will be immortalized for decades to come.
“Each name will be entered into the world’s largest logbook,” she said. “This log book is on display at the EAA Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which is the EAA headquarters. The logbook is also accessible on the internet at www.youngeagles.org.”
At present, there are roughly 50 members of Pahrump’s Experimental Aircraft Association.
The group holds monthly meetings, while throughout the year they raise money to purchase the aviation fuel for the Young Eagles program, which can exceed $600.
Wagner also spoke about a past chapter president who suddenly passed away last month after suffering from health issues.
A memorial service for a fellow experimental aircraft pilot will precede the flights on Saturday.
“Stan Davis died a few weeks ago, and he just was a wonderful man and a great pilot,” she said. “We are going to have at 7:45 a.m., a memorial service and dedicate the rally to him. When he did the Young Eagles, he got up to 80-to-100 kids out there at the airpark. He has been involved with the Experimental Aircraft Association his entire life.”
The Calvada Meadows Airpark is located at 900 East Jenny Circle off of North Highway 160.
Bottled water and a portable toilet are available at the site. For additional information, call Wagner at 775-537-1097.
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes