D  e  s  e  r  t     E  x  p  o  s  u  r  e     July 2005

Giving a Lift

In the Young Eagles program, area pilots lend their wings to raise young peoples' sights.

By Pat Young

A few lines from John Gillespie Macgee's famous poem "High Flight" eloquently describe the experience of flying: "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,/ And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings."

The sixth graders from La Plata Middle School in Silver City may not have been waxing this poetically, however, as they lined up to fly at the Grant County Airport in April. Their hearts may have been pounding with excitement and, well, perhaps a little fear-induced anxiety. But once in the air, it was pure fun.

Two teams of sixth graders from La Plata Middle School, almost 200 students, participated, as well as a dozen teachers. The "Extreme Team" took flight on April 8, and the "Stingrays" flew on April 22. This was an annual event mirroring the efforts of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) members worldwide through the Young Eagles program.

Tatiana Ballenger in a Beechcraft Bonanza. (Photo by Jessica Allsup)

In 1991 the EAA Aviation Foundation conducted a survey of long-time members to determine future priorities for the organization. More than 90 percent urged involving more young people in aviation, and so the Young Eagles program was born in 1992.

The program took flight, literally, during the 1992 EAA fly-in convention in Oshkosh, Wisc. Actor Cliff Robertson, who also served as the first Young Eagles honorary chairman, was one of the pilots to fly the first Young Eagles on July 31.

The mission, met and surpassed, was to provide a flight experience free of charge to a million young people, approximately ages 8-17, by the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight (Dec. 17, 2003). The successful program continues today, with a goal of flying 100,000 young people a year worldwide.

Retired General Chuck Yeager, who was the first pilot to break the sound barrier, succeeded Robertson as honorary chairman of Young Eagles. Today, actor Harrison Ford serves as honorary chairman. Ford, as spokesperson for the program, says, "Flying can be a great teacher and motivator for young people."

Apparently so. Since the program's inception in 1992, a number of Young Eagles have gone on to careers in commercial aviation, including work as airline and corporate pilots, air-show performers and flight instructors, as well as other aviation-related careers. Some of today's military pilots might even have been Young Eagles, inspired by the likes of Yeager.

Every Young Eagle's name, representing approximately 90 countries worldwide, is entered into the "World's Largest Logbook," on display at the EAA Air Adventure Musem in Oshkosh. The logbook can also be viewed online at www.youngeagles.org.

A successful youth aviation program like Young Eagles requires a huge effort by everyone involved. Well over 32,000 EAA members worldwide have volunteered time and aircraft, not to mention all the ground-support crews, since the program began in 1992.

Southwest New Mexico is fortunate to have an active EAA chapter in Las Cruces and many area pilots willing to give hours of their time to the Young Eagles program. Flights take place from Las Cruces, Deming, Lordsburg and Santa Teresa as well as Grant County.

For years, Las Cruces EAA Chapter 555 has been conducting a fly-in pancake breakfast on the third Sunday of the month at the Las Cruces Airport to cover fuel costs for the Young Eagles program. Phillips Petroleum discounts the fuel price nationwide and many local operators add additional discounts. At the Grant County Airport in April, fuel provider Dave Martin of High Mountain Aviation added a 15 cent a gallon discount to Phillips' $1 a gallon discount.

La Plata teacher Dolores Maese spearheaded the Young Eagles program at that school after learning about the program some 11 years ago in Las Cruces. Students had to be bused to Las Cruces until four years ago, when the program for La Plata students became based out of Grant County.

"It gives a lot of kids an opportunity they wouldn't have otherwise," Maese says.

While students waited for their turn at a flight in a variety of private aircraft, they were kept entertained by "Rocket Man" Bill Curtis making paper rockets, by members of the Silver Wings Radio Control Modeler Club, and by dozens of other ground crew and support staff. But staging the "main event" were the pilots, who seemed to have as much fun as the kids.

David Fisher, long-time Silver City businessman, organizes the annual event. He has flown more than 300 kids and is frequently given the ones who are prone to get sick, because he is "experienced," he says.

"I had a kid get sick on a flight once and he couldn't find an airsick bag, so I handed him my hat," Fisher says, grinning. But he adds that it's all worth it: "The smiles on the kids' faces keep you going, knowing you've shared something you love with other people."

Pilot John Whatley is based out of Casas Adobes Airport in the Mimbres Valley. "It's just fun seeing the kids get so excited," he says. "One little girl was nervous at first, but was talking a blue streak by the time we were done."

Arch Slate, from Tyrone, has flown close to 150 students. He started flying in 1946, but due to "money, family and time" didn't start flying in earnest until about eight years ago. "Almost every time I have at least one kid who asks, 'Am I going to die?,'" Slate says. He tells them, "Not today!"

Other kid questions pilots enjoy include, "Can you make a sonic boom with this plane?" and "Do we have to fly this high?"

Some of the "front seat" student passengers even get to take the yoke. One student, Iesha Morales, says, "I got to drive it!"

For most students, it is their first small plane experience. For some, it is their first flight—ever.

"At first I was scared and grabbed the seat. I've never been flying," says sixth grader Rico Castro. "But after a few minutes, I enjoyed looking out at stuff."

Another student, Alauna Aguilar, says, "I've been on commercial, but not a smaller plane. It catches your stomach a lot. Wal-Mart looked three inches tall." She also thought it was "pretty cool" that there were women pilots, too.

For the April event, pilots came from everywhere in southwest New Mexico. They included, in addition to Slate, Fisher and Whatley, Caroline Baldwin, Don and Valdeen Wooten and Charley Williams from the Silver City area. From T or C, George Wright, who has flown more than 500 Young Eagles, participated. From Las Cruces came pilots Ralph Scargall and Milt Buls. From Columbus came pilot Dick Chevalier.

This year, April winds gave students an added experience.

"It was real bumpy," says Julie Saponaro. "It felt like my back was gone, and when I walked out of the plane, my legs felt like Jell-O."

No matter what their individual thoughts were, the coalesced reaction seemed to be "great!"

When Chuck Yeager was spokesperson for the Young Eagles program, he once said, "Kids can learn to set high goals in all walks of life."

This program strives to inspire every participating young person to soar to greater heights—like an eagle.

Pat Young is a retired journalist who lives in San Lorenzo.

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