2008 Young Eagles Rally

EAA Chapter 36 Young Eagles Rally

Click on Photos to enlarge

EAA Chapter 36 held our 2008 Young Eagles Rally on Saturday, June 21, 2008. The event took place on the tarmac at the Main Terminal Building of Hagersto

wn Regional Airport.
A special thanks to all of the member pilots and the Hagerstown Aviation Academy, who were able to fly and contribute their time, planes and expense to fly our possible future pilots. Also the Hagerstown Airport Management for allowing us to use the main terminal and even providing coffee for the pilots.
Gilson, thanks for helping on the line and patrolling the crowd when it got busy. You even hung in there while parking a plane and getting stung by a pesky bee. Photo on right.

Photos by Sandy Hissey and Jay Kanagy

Ken Jones and Guy Schaeffer above handled the EAA and Chapter 36 information table.

Our Young Eagles Coordinator, Bob Scott and Sandy Hissey, below, were quite busy doing a fantastic job processing in upwards of 50 Young Eagle flyers. Great job Bob and Sandy!

Before flight, all Young Eagles are given a

complete introduction to the principles of flight, as well as the operation of an airplane. Mark Hissey, and Evan Smith (owner and instructor) of Hagerstown Aviation Academy, are shown on the right.
Evan also flew Young Eagles.

Our Young Eagle Eagle Pilots are the greatest.

We can not thank them enough for their unselfish commitment to the Young Eagles Program.
Pictured left to right are: Will Mcfarland, Chuck Doherty, Don Myers and Dave Brissee

Above: Mark Hissey, Don Myers and Chuck Doherty

Above: Bob Scott checking on another load of Young Eagles

The 2 photos, right, clearly show the real reason for the Young Eagles Program. EAA Chapter 36 is so proud to be involved in this rewarding endeavor.

The food stand was managed by Jack Raun and Betty Wright

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From the Herald Mail June 22, 2008

Young fliers take off

By DAN DEARTH (dan.dearth@herald-mail.com)

Hannah Cline, 8, of Greencastle, Pa., waves to her parents after touching down Saturday
at Hagerstown Regional Airport during the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles Celebration. Dave Brizzee of Waynesboro, Pa., was the pilot who gave her a quick hop in his 1973 Citabria.
(By Joe Crocetta/Staff Photographer)

HAGERSTOWN - Eight-year-old Bryan Gembe knelt down and watched intently as a pilot performed a preflight check on a single-engine airplane Saturday at Hagerstown Regional Airport.

One day, Bryan said, he wants to be a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. "I'm excited to fly," Bryan said. "I just like to be in the air."

Bryan and about 45 other children from the Tri-State area gathered Saturday at the airport to participate in the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles Celebration, an international program that was created in 1992 to introduce young people to the wonders of flight. As part of the program, local pilots donated their time and aircraft to give children a free 20-minute flight over Washington County.

"It was awesome," Bryan said as he re-entered the airport terminal after landing. "I want to fly now more than ever."

Bryan's father, Mark Armstrong, said he found out about the event early Saturday and immediately drove his son to the airport. Bryan always wanted to park by the airport and watch planes take off and land," Armstrong said. "This is really nice for these people to be doing this for these kids."

Bob Scott, a Young Eagles coordinator, gave a lot of credit for the program's success to the dedication of the pilots. Besides donating their time and aircraft, they also pay for the fuel, which isn't cheap by today's standards. Gasoline to run the airplanes sells for about $5.30 per gallon, he said. The pilots burn about 10 gallons per hour. But in the long run, he said the enjoyment of the program far outweighs the cost.

"The feeling you get inside when you see a child grinning ear-to-ear lets you know it's worthwhile," Scott said. "It's just one of these things you start doing and realize what you're doing for the next generation."

Scott said the program is offered several times throughout the year at airports all over the world.

According to the Young Eagles' Web site, almost 1.5 million children between the ages of 8 and 17 have received free flights worldwide since the program's inception. The program is offered in all 50 states.