Paullina, Iowa — This Fourth of July, there’s a unique opportunity for northwest Iowa youth in Paullina. Not only can kids get free airplane rides, but the ride can help them down the road of becoming a pilot or working elsewhere in aviation.
Area young people ages 8-17 can take to the skies at what’s called a “Young Eagles Flight Rally” at the Paullina Municipal Airport on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Registration will be from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Steve Christensen, spokesman for the event tells us what they do.
Christensen says the pilots giving the rides are affiliated with the Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 289 from Tea, SD. But he says except for one airplane that might be coming, all of the airplanes are commercially-made aircraft.
He if kids want, they can use their airplane ride as a “take off point” into learning to fly or aviation-related careers.
He says the pilots hope to build one-to-one relationships between themselves and young people, giving a new generation the 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.
Along with flight rallies, EAA members also fly Young Eagles on an individual basis, says Christensen. Each pilot volunteers their time and aircraft so the flights can be provided free of charge for interested young people.
Those attending the flight rally this July 4th are to arrive at the Paullina Municipal Airport at 8:00 am to register for their flight. Flights will run from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon. There is no charge for the flight and the pilots graciously volunteer their time and fuel. Each young person who wants to fly MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign an application waiver.
The Paullina Ambulance Service is also sponsoring a fly-in, drive-in, walk-in breakfast at the airport from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Additional information about EAA and the EAA Young Eagles program can be found at www.eaa.org and www.youngeagles.org.
You can also call Steve Christensen at (605) 207-0317 for more information.
