Young Eagles encouraged to take flight at Airport Appreciation Days

A pilot and a local youth prepare for a Young Eagle Flight during a previous Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days event. The annual celebration is set for Sept. 9 and 10.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

The skies over Greencastle should be bustling this weekend with the annual Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days set on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Putnam County Regional Airport, 1595 Ballard Lane, Greencastle, will play host to a variety of activities, with the chance for 200 young people to take flight front and center among them.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1374 will host its annual Young Eagle Rally throughout the two-day event.

Children 8-17 will be able to get a free airplane ride, for which they will receive a certificate and logbook to document the flight. A parent or guardian must be present.

Given favorable weather, EAA pilots from the local chapter as well as those from elsewhere volunteering their time and aircrafts could fly upward of 200 youngsters over two days.

Festivities open at 9 a.m. Saturday with the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Covered Bridge Harmony.

Shortly after, the third-annual Beyond Homeless Hero for the Homeless 5K will commence from the airport beginning at 9:30 a.m. The noncompetitive, untimed walk or run will go from the airport along People Pathways to Big Walnut Sports Park and back.

While this is a non-competitive event, medals will be given for first-place finishers in several categories.

For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/2023HfH

The opening of the event will also mean wheels up not only for Young Eagles, but for some paid opportunities for flyers of all ages. Cliff Robinson of Robinson Aerobatics will be on hand offering rides on his Boeing Super Stearman bi-plane. Additionally, PDM Aviation will also be offering rides to view the Putnam County landscape from above.

Other attractions include kids’ activities from Big Bounce Fun House Rentals inflatables and games, DJ Figgy Hardwick and various organizations, vendors and concessions.

Given the nature of the event, it is weather dependent, so eyes will be on the skies for more than one reason. However, as of Monday afternoon, the weekend forecast was favorable.