Pilot Flies 10,000 Young Eagles

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) volunteer Fred Stadler has become the first pilot to fly 10,000 kids for the organization’s Young Eagles program. Stadler joined the program, which offers free introductory flights for young people ages 8 to 17, in 2000. According to EAA, many of his Young Eagles flights took place at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“Fred’s remarkable accomplishment is indicative of the dedication of our Young Eagles volunteers to make a difference and build the future of flight,” said EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton. “There are so many young pilots today who got their start when an EAA-member pilot provided that first flight, igniting a spark that became a career for many.”

EAA launched the Young Eagles program in 1992 with the goal of introducing young people to aviation. To date, more than 2.3 million youths have flown with the program and over 50,000 volunteer pilots have participated. As previously reported by AVweb, more than 49,000 Young Eagles flights took place last year.