Youth to Benefit Through Agreement Between EAA and Learning For Life

OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Dec. 5, 2011) — The world’s largest youth aviation education initiative, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program, and the school- and career-based Learning For Life (LFL) program, an affiliate of Boy Scouts of America, have entered into an agreement that will help young people discover and explore opportunities in aviation, including orientation flights in general aviation aircraft.

Those opportunities will be primarily focused through Learning For Life’s Aviation Exploring program, a hands-on program that exposes young people to flying and offers aviation experiences as a possible career or for the sheer pleasure of being around airplanes.

“As the Young Eagles program, which has already flown more than 1.6 million young people since 1992, continues to evolve and grow, giving more organized opportunities to young people through organizations such as Aviation Exploring is a natural partnership,” EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower said. “Working together to foster these positive life experiences fits well within EAA’s effort to create the next generation of aviators.”

Learning for Life school-based programs serve boys and girls from early childhood through 12th grade. Exploring is a worksite-based program for students ages 14 to 21 able to learn about careers through practical application guided by experts in the field. 

Dr. Diane E. Thornton, National Director for Learning for Life, which oversees the Aviation Exploring program, said, “EAA’s youth programs are an excellent fit as we seek ways to build self-confidence in young people, while establishing a love of learning and career choices. Aviation provides a strong pathway to positive development for young people and EAA has shown consistent leadership in aviation education.”

The agreement will provide students with the opportunity to: