Kids fly free at Young Eagles Rally

FALLBROOK — Local young people will have a chance to take to the skies on Saturday, October 17, when Friends of the Fallbrook Community Airpark and Chapter 1279 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA), French Valley Airport, host a Young Eagles Flight Rally at the Fallbrook Airpark, 2155 South Mission Road.

Young Eagles is an international program of the EAA in which young people, ages 8 to 17, are given short airplane rides as an introduction into the world of aviation. All time and expenses are donated by the pilots; there is no charge to the children.

A Young Eagles rally is where multiple pilots and children make flights on the same day. At least 14 aircraft are expected to provide rides to 50 boys and girls during the rally. (This would be in addition to normal air park traffic.) The first flight is planned for 9 a.m. with the last flight around 12:30 p.m.

Those curious about the Young Eagles or operations at the airpark in general are welcome to visit the field. There is a viewing area at the Fallbrook Airpark, which makes watching aircraft operations and affords an excellent view of North County.

During the Young Eagles rally the field will be active but not so crowded that a few extra visitors wouldn’t be welcome, according to organizers.

For more information on the Young Eagles, go to http://www.eaa1279.org or http://www.ffcap.org.