EAA Young Eagles invites youths ages 8-17 for a free introductory flight experience and informal mentoring program on Saturday, March 31 from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm, at 3590 South Fortuna Avenue, Yuma, AZ. The flights will start at 8:00 AM and end about 12:00 PM.

The experience is designed to welcome and encourage Youths (ages 8-17) who are interested in flying, but don’t know how or where to take that first step.

The event begins with hands-on introduction, where the youth will fly with a local EAA member pilot, learn about joining the ranks of more than 2 million Young Eagles® and see their world from a whole new perspective.

The flights last about 20 minutes and is a first-come, first served event. Event details are as follows:

1. Event registration is from from 7:00-10:00 am. Parents or Legal Guardians must be present and sign all required forms.

2. Once registered, the youth will receive On the Ground/Ground school training conducted by Senior Civil Air Patrol Cadets. This training covers basic aircraft operation, identifies the parts that control the airplane and explanation what will happen during the flight.

2. Before Take-off; the pilot will explain important features of the aircraft.

3. In the Air; the flight will last about 15 to 20 minutes. All aspects of the flight will be up to the pilot.

4. Back on the Ground; Youths will have more time to ask any questions they might have and will be issued a Certificate and a log book to log your very first flight.

Again, a Parent or Legal Guardian must be present and sign all required forms.

This event is made possible with the cooperation with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Yuma Composite Squadron 508, and the Yuma County Airport Authority.

EAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, is an international aviation membership association founded in 1953 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Local chapters are located in all 50 states and many countries. Members are aviation enthusiasts of every age group, including many airline and commercial pilots, engineers, business people and even astronauts. They enjoy all types of airplanes, including "experimental" aircraft, those aircraft built by individual craftsmen, rather than in a factory. “Experimental” refers to the category of aircraft designed by the FAA for these types of airplanes. Similar to standard category aircraft, Experimental aircraft are inspected and certified airworthy by FAA. The EAA Young Eagles Program was developed in 1992 to welcome young people into the world of aviation. Aviation is exciting and vital to our nation's future and the best way to convey that message is to actually experience flight in a first-hand setting. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was formed in 1941 as an official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and supports America's communities with emergency/disaster response, aviation and ground team services; youth development; and promotion of air and space power. The Yuma Composite Squadron 508 is based at the Yuma International Airport.

Yuma County Airport Authority was incorporated as a non-profit entity in the State of Arizona on December 30, 1965. Its mission is to operate Yuma International Airport on behalf of the citizens and families of Yuma County, Arizona. The Yuma County Airport Authority's goal is to provide a safe, efficient and customer focused airport to serve Greater Yuma and is home to a flourishing General Aviation community.

For additional information or questions about this event, please contact Bob Helfrich at (928) 446-3959.