Spring Flying Season Is Here!

David Oshkosh 2022

As cliché as it may sound, I think I blinked the week of Thanksgiving, and I opened my eyes, and it was St. Patrick’s Day. This winter has absolutely flown by, especially here at EAA HQ, as we are continuing to hammer on the new Young Eagles Online Registration system. As you’ll read later in the newsletter, there has been a plethora of exciting updates to the new tool, but there is still plenty of work to be done. The lion’s share of our time has been spent on wringing out the system, submitting feedback to the developer, and troubleshooting pop-up issues with volunteers.

With all the excitement around the online system, it can be easy to lose focus on some of the core program components.

International Young Eagles Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 14. There is still plenty of time to get your plans in order, so that you can join us for this annual celebration of the Young Eagles program. This year marks the 32nd annual International Young Eagles Day, as each year we set aside one day to encourage all EAA members and chapters to participate in the Young Eagles program. Annually, 20 percent of Young Eagles are flown in the month of June.

Young Eagles credit letters were emailed in late February. With 56,000-plus Young Eagles credited to chapters, more than $280,000 Young Eagles credits were earned by chapters! Your chapter can see its credit balance, submit a reimbursement request, as well as review the new credit guidance at EAA.org/YECredits.

On top of all the exciting Young Eagles happenings, I am also thrilled to announce EAA Learn to Fly Week, supported by Sporty’s, is returning May 13-17!

This weeklong event will be focused on helping people achieve their dream of becoming a pilot. After three consecutive days of virtual presentations, the week will be capped on May 17 with Flying Start events hosted at local airports all around the country. Your chapter is invited to participate in these Flying Start events!

I hosted a webinar for chapter leaders in regard to hosting a Flying Start in early March. This webinar is available for playback here.

Chapters that host a Flying Start event on May 17 will receive additional promotional support from EAA and will be issued two weekly passes for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. To qualify for the wristband, events must have at least five attendees. To learn more or start planning your chapter’s event, visit EAA.org/FlyingStart.

With peak Young Eagles season officially upon us, with southern weather still comfortable enough for flying and the northern latitudes thawing out, I wanted to express a heartfelt thank-you for all of your support of the Young Eagles program!

Tailwinds,

David Leiting, EAA Lifetime 579157

Eagles Program Manager