EAA Chapter 40 in Los Angeles is gearing up to provide its 10,000th Young Eagles flight on Saturday, November 26th. The chapter expects to provide 75 to 85 flights to youths that day and is planning a special flight for the milestone airplane ride. Volunteer pilots will offer free flights to children ages eight to 17 from 10:30 a.m until 2 p.m at San Fernando Valley's Whiteman Airport. In the event of unsuitable weather, the alternate date for the event will be December 17.
The Young Eagles program was established by EAA in 1992 to offer youth their first free ride in an airplane with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. Pilots from the surrounding Los Angeles area have provided flights to area kids on the fourth Saturday of each month since the inception of the program, excluding Christmas Day or Eve and poor weather conditions.
To date, nearly 2.3 million young people have received an introductory flight through the international Young Eagles program. Young Eagles events in other regions can be found on the EAA's online calendar.