Mission             The mission of the EAA Young Eagles Program is to provide a meaningful flight experience – free of charge – in a general aviation aircraft for young people (primarily between the ages of 8 and 17).  Flights are provided through the generous volunteer efforts of EAA members world wide.

Background       In 1991, a survey of long-time Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) members was conducted to help determine the organization’s future priorities.  Nearly 92 percent said EAA’s primary objective should be to involve more young people in aviation.  The survey also showed that a flight experience helped guide the respondents toward aviation.  On May 13, l992, following several months of coordination by members of the EAA Board of Directors, EAA management, staff and volunteers, the EAA’s Young Eagles Program was announced at a Washington, D.C., news conference. 

First Flights       The program took flight during the 1992 EAA Fly-In Convention in Oshkosh, Wis.  EAA President Tom Poberezny and Academy Award winning actor and pilot Cliff Robertson flew the first Young Eagles on July 31, 1992.  In addition, Robertson served as the program’s first Honorary Chairman.  Between 1994 and 2004, Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, served as Chairman.  On March 8, 2004, pilot and actor Harrison Ford was named as Yeager’s successor as Chairman.  Ford is an EAA member and has flown nearly 300 Young Eagles.  Gen. Yeager remains involved in the Young Eagles program as Chairman Emeritus.

Status                 The initial goal of the program was to fly 1 million children in time for the 100^th anniversary of flight celebration (Dec. 17, 2003).  The 1 million Young Eagle mark was achieved on November 13, 2003.  Currently, more than 1.4 million Young Eagles have been registered.  An on-going annual goal of introducing 100,000 children to the Young Eagles experience has now been established.

Pilots                 More than 42,000 EAA member pilots have participated in the program.  Pilots volunteer their time and aircraft to make the flights possible.  In addition, countless thousands of other volunteers and supporters assist the program in a variety of roles.