Education

Kids in Flight

October 29, 2003 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

In 1992, the Experimental Aircraft Association created the Young Eagles Program and charged it with giving free airplane rides to 1 million young people ages 8 to 17 by Dec. 17, 2003—the centennial of the Wright brothers’ first engine- powered flight.

Based in Oshkosh, Wis., the Young Eagles Program expects to pass the 990,000- flier mark by the end of October. The one-millionth passenger will fly with retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager at a Dec. 17 re- enactment of the historic flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C.

The Young Eagle flights are organized by local EAA pilots through schools, community groups, and individuals as a way to promote the centennial of powered flight, and to introduce aviation to a new generation. “At the beginning, a lot of people in aviation said, ‘You’re crazy,’” recalls Dick Knapinski, the spokesman for the EAA. “It took off slowly, but has really grown in the past few years.”

More information on the Young Eagles and the EAA’s aviation education programs is available at Young Eagles or at education programs of the EEA.

Events

Teaching Profession K-12 Essentials Forum New Insights Into the Teaching Profession
Join this free virtual event to get exclusive insights from Education Week's State of Teaching project.
Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
Mathematics K-12 Essentials Forum Helping Students Succeed in Math

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz What is a Project 2025 Author Doing at the Education Department? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Briefly Stated: June 11, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
5 min read
Education Quiz What Is the #1 Factor Boosting Students' STEM Motivation? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Briefly Stated: June 4, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read