Kids fly free at Young Eagles rally

FALLBROOK — Area young people will have a chance to take to the skies on Saturday, October 11, as Friends of the Fallbrook Community Airpark and Chapter 1279 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), French Valley Airport, hosts a Young Eagles flight rally at the Fallbrook Airpark, 2155 South Mission Road. Fifteen aircraft and pilots are expected to participate, along with 50 boys and girls.

The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles program, created to interest young people in aviation by providing a ride in a small airplane and the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight. There is no charge for this ride. The cost is borne solely by the participating pilots.

Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.4 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries. Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle.

Information regarding the local program, along with photographs from past events, is available at http://www.eaa1279.org and http://www.ffcap.org.

Spaces for this event are very limited and all participants must be pre-registered. Anyone who has a son or daughter between the ages of 8 though 17 who has not previously participated in the Young Eagle program and has an interest in aviation can contact Debbie Zumwalt at [email protected]. Provide name, age and address of participant and phone number of parent or guardian. Available spaces will be allocated on a “first to register” basis.

Spectators are more than welcome to attend the rally and enjoy the morning. First flight is planned for 9 a.m. with the last flight around 12:15 p.m.