Young Eagles offer free flights to kids

Michelle Smith and her husband, Ron Singh are 12-year residents of Cedar Mill. Ron is a pilot, and when they decided to buy their own plane, they wanted something a bit unconventional. Michelle says, “We ended up building and flying our first plane, a Rans S12-XL in June of 2000. We love our little plane and are still flying it today. We are currently working on our second plane in our garage at home.”

Ron and Michelle are the Young Eagles Coordinators for the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter in Hillsboro. The Young Eagles Program was started by EAA in 1992 and has flown over 1.3 million young people in over 90 countries.

The program was designed to give kids from 8 to 17 years old the opportunity to experience flight in a small (non-commercial) aircraft and to inspire their future dreams of flight or involvement in the world of aviation. Flights are free of charge. Michelle notes, “Our chapter pilots donate their time, planes, and fuel just for the pleasure of seeing that kid’s smile when they step out of the plane and start telling their parents all about their flight.”

The Hillsboro EAA chapter usually has about five scheduled events each summer but can arrange a flight for anyone interested at any time. Their last event of the season is Saturday, September 6 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Twin Oaks Airport. Parents or legal guardians must be present. Contact Ron or Michelle at 503-646-2144 if you’d like to fly. More information about the Young Eagles program can be found on the internet at www.youngeagles.org.

NEWS HOME