FARGO-An area pilot, Stewart Peterson of Fargo, recently gave more than 100 young people a free demonstration airplane ride as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) "Young Eagles" program, which is introducing a new generation to the world of flight.
Peterson is among the more than 50,000 volunteers around the world who have donated their time and aircraft to the effort.
Pilots in the Young Eagles program explain the safe operation of airplanes and principles of flight before the short trips. Participating young people become official Young Eagles with the flight. The names of the pilots and the participants are also included in the "World's Largest Logbook," which is on permanent display in the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., and online through the Young Eagles website, www.youngeagles.org .
Young Eagles also have access to an online pilot training course, made possible by Sporty's Pilot Shops, located in Batavia, Ohio.
The Young Eagles Program was unveiled by the EAA in July 1992 and has now flown more than 1.9 million young people, primarily between the ages of 8 and 17.
