Aviation Dreams Take Flight: How EAA ‘s Young Eagles Day Introduces Youth to Flying

Last Saturday at the Air-Mods Flight Academy Trenton-Robbinsville Airport, located at 106 Sharon Road in Robbinsville, members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Chapter 176 volunteered their time and aircrafts to help bring exposure to the world of aviation for Young Eagles Day. 

George Long, a former longtime resident of Ewing Township and a volunteer coordinator for the Young Eagles for the past seven years is on a mission to open up the world of aviation to young adults who live in and around the Trenton area. Long has had his private pilot license since 1969 and hopes to see more people of color and women explore aviation.

The EAA is a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like-minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, and serve the local aviation community. Attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on experience to see how planes work and handle some of the plane’s controls under the supervision of a licensed pilot before the event was halted due to weather conditions. “I think it turned out well considering the weather. We accomplished what we wanted, which is to take some kids for some airplane rides. As far as the community, I would like to see more people of color [participate],” Long said. To help get the word out about Young Eagles Day and careers in aviation, Long has reached out to his network including the Trenton Housing Authority and Every Child Valued in Lawrence to drum up community support. 

Founded in 1992, the Young Eagles Academy is dedicated to giving youth ages 8–17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers, who’s volunteer pilots spend an average of $125 an hour in fuel taking youth participants for flights. It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. Today, the Young Eagles program has flown over 2 million participants. “The best way to get into aviation is to take a discovery flight,” said Melissa Martell, Air-Mods Flight Academy, President. “These pilots that you see out in the field started the exact same way these kids started by just coming in and flying for free.”

Only 3.4% of U.S. airline pilots are Black, 2.2% are of Asian descent, and a scant 0.5% are Hispanic or Latino. Women make up just 4.6%, according to a 2022 report by the Women in Aviation Advisory Board. “The biggest barrier that discourages women from entering and staying in aviation careers is culture—and it is the hardest to change. Women don’t feel like they belong. Changing culture requires consistent leadership commitment over time in thousands of large and small actions across government and industry,” wrote Dr. Heather Wilson, Chair of Women in Aviation Advisory Board.  

It’s the untapped talent in the airline industry that motivates Long to open up a world of possibilities for those who may not see the industry as a potential career choice, because they don’t see themselves reflected. “We try to make sure that they are aware of it, I just don’t think sometimes we are aware of the ultimate potential for earning in the field of aerospace. Everybody is not going to be an aviation or aeronautical engineer. There are a lot of jobs in the field that are good paying jobs. Aircraft mechanics come to mind right away,” Long continued, “Here’s a job where you go to school for 18 months and generally when you come out you make $50,000 or so and you can take that education anywhere in the world.”

On this bright Saturday morning there were a plethora of parents eager to have their kids take flight. Some of the attendees had experience flying, while others were going up in the air for their very first time. Samiha Ortiz Rivera from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania brought all seven of her children to participate in Young Eagles Day, because she said she wanted for her kids to have experiences that she didn’t have growing up. 

“We don’t have all of these kinds of opportunities. Obviously, as a mom of seven we don’t get to do as many things as smaller families do. Basically, I just Google opportunities and resources for any kind of event even outside my jurisdiction. Even if it’s not in our community I will take that drive so my kids can have that experience.”

For more information on the next free flight opportunity in your area, click here.