Area youth become young eagle flyers
by Alan Rangel, Campus Voice Staff Writer

Children from the Gallup area dazzled spectators at the airport by zooming just above their heads in 250-mph fly-bys. The children were participating in the Young Eagles Program. The program offers children, between the ages of seven and seventeen, the opportunity to experience the thrill of flying in a small plane. The purpose of the Young Eagles Program is to help create an interest in aviation among young people.

Along with free flight, the participants receive a certificate from the Young Eagles to commemorate the event. On the certificate are the signatures of the attending pilot, and legendary aviator Chuck Yeager, who is the honorary chairman of the program. The names of the participants then are entered into the worldıs largest logbook at the EAA Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis.

EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) is a diverse organization that began in 1953 by individuals who maintain a wide range of aviation interests. The EAA also manages the Air Venture Museum, which houses hundreds of pieces of aviation history. The Young Eagles is a national program that has established a goal to fly one million children by year 2003. As of now the program has flown over 744,850 children.

Taking up the challenge locally are the members of the New Mexico Pilots Association. Pilots like Perry Null, along with other members, had the program in full swing during the Ninth Annual Gallup Air Show on Sept. 8 and 9. Also included at this yearıs show were: the Confederate Air Force, that contributed vintage aircraft and flying demonstrations; local law enforcement agencies; and local youth organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol, and the Gallup High School Girlsı Softball Team.

Ed Cousins, president of the Gallup chapter of the New Mexico Pilots Association, says that more and bigger attractions are planned for next yearıs event. The air show, which is free to the public, takes place annually at the Gallup Municipal Airport west of town. The show is sponsored by local businesses, along with support from the Gallup Municipal Airport staff and management. .


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