Young Eagles Rally highlights Aiport Appreciation Days

With Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days just around the corner, Putnam County Commissioner President Rick Woodall (seated center) signs a proclamation recognizing Sept. 3-9 as Young Eagles Week in Putnam County. Woodall is joined Young Eagles Coordinator Debbie Hurley and fellow commissioners David Berry and Don Walton. Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1374 will be offering free flights to kids ages eight to 17 during Airport Appreciation Days, which takes place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Putnam County Regional Airport.

Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan

With the goal of providing a meaninful flight experience, free of charge, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1374 will conduct its annual Young Eagle Rally during Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days this weekend.

Airport Appreciation Days is planned from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9.

Local EAA members and even some visitors from other chapters and airports will be on hand with the idea of promoting interest in aviation among local young people.

Each Young Eagle will have pre-flight instruction, a lesson on the inside and outside of an aircraft and, most excitingly, a flight in the co-pilot’s seat of an aircraft.

The Young Eagles Rally won’t be the only thing going on at the Putnam County Regional Airport this weekend.

Paid bi-plane and helicopter rides will also be available, but there will also be fun for the more earthbound among us.

Vendors at the annual event also include Popular Rotorcraft Association, PDM Aviation, Christian Motorcyclists Association, Big Bounce Fun House Rentals, Greencastle Police Department, Hatchet House Barbecue, Putnam County Operation Life, Area 30 Career Center, Putnam County Hospital, Fig’s Follies Entertainment, American Red Cross, Greencastle Fire Department, Putnam County CERT, Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Bon Appetit and the Greencastle Rotary Club in conjunction with Real Men Read.

Check out Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days on Facebook for even more information.

The EAA unveiled the Young Eagles program in 1992, with a goal of flying more than one million children by the 100th aniversary of flight on Dec. 17, 2003. They beat that goal by about a month.

Since 1992, more than two million children have flown, with EAA Chapter 1374 adding nearly 1,700 to that number.