Young Eagles rally at Fallbrook Airpark includes 1000th flight

FALLBROOK – During the Young Eagles rally held at Fallbrook Airpark on Saturday, April 27, the 1,000th youngster was flown out of Fallbrook Air Park. The Young Eagle was Dacy Denton, 8, of Fallbrook, and the pilot was Don Evans, also of Fallbrook.

Evans directed the local FFCAP/Chapter 1279 Young Eagles program until late last year, so it was appropriate he should make the 1,000th local Young Eagle flight. Later on the same day, Evans flew his 100th Young Eagle flight. A total of 10 aircraft and pilots participated in the rally.

Young Eagles is a program developed by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1992 to provide free, introductory flights to young people ages 8 thru 17. Pilot participation is at their own expense; they volunteer their time, airplane and passion. Since inception, more than 1.6 million young people have participated at airports around the world.

The Fallbrook program began in 2001. The event is sponsored twice a year by EAA Chapter 1279 of Murrieta and Friends of the Fallbrook Community Air Park (FFCAP). All flights are conducted one-on-one so each youth will not only experience the joy of flying but have the opportunity to handle one set of the dual controls under the pilot’s supervision.

The next Young Eagles rally at Fallbrook Airpark will be held Saturday, Oct. 19. Local parents wishing to obtain a ride for their child should contact the current Young Eagles coordinator, Peter Griffiths at [email protected] or (951) 775-8909. For more information on the Young Eagles program, visit http://www.youngeagles.org.