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unlocks more opportunities and resources to further experience
the world of flight such as:

 Free access to Sporty’s learn to fly course ($199 value)
More than 50,000 Young Eagles have enrolled since 2009
 Free admission to 300+ science and tech museums
 Free Academy of Model Aeronautics Student
Membership
 Free electronic copy of EAA Sport Aviation
 Free first flight lesson upon completion of first three
Volumes of Sporty’s learn to fly course ($130 value)
 Reimbursement after passing the FAA knowledge exam
($165 value)
 Access to flight training awards, education
scholarships, and more

The annual scholarships help outstanding students, who
MILES OF demonstrate financial need, to accomplish their goals in aviation.
Prior to the recent demand for pilots, those interested in an
SMILES aviation career would face expenses just about equal to medical
school. A University of North Dakota study estimates a shortage
of 14,000 U.S. airline pilots by 2026. The industry expects 29,000
will retire in the next 10 years. Boeing estimates that more than
600,000 new professional pilots will be needed worldwide, 117,000
n June 9th of this year many young people took
in North America, in the next 20 years. Yes, it is a great time to
advantage of a program started in 1992 called the
consider aviation as a career.
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles
A few years ago a student pilot could
OFlight Program. The EAA is a membership organization
expect to pay well into six figures to
based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with nearly 200,000 members dedicated
get the ratings that would qualify them
to growing participation in aviation. All across this county, and over
for an airline career. In addition, one
100 foreign lands, kids between the ages of 8 and 17 lined up for a
might have to work as an instructor at
chance to experience the thrill of aviation by receiving their first flight
a local flight school to obtain the magic
in a small aircraft. 1994 saw the first International Young Eagles Day
number of 1500 hours required by the
where EAA chapters, all around the globe, hosted local rallies and
FAA/airlines. Once signed on with a
thousands of kids received their first flights. As of June 2017 more
commuter airline, as a first officer, you
than two million youths have had their lives forever changed.
might expect a paycheck of about $18,000
Locally, EAA Chapter 1067 schedules 17 of these events
your first year. While a senior captain
annually. The pilots participating in this program are Naples
might hit $300,000 during their career,
residents who volunteer their time and aircraft to make your
it is hard to pay the student loans, and
child’s flight possible. Each pilot is licensed by the FAA,
eat, on the entry level remuneration. Oh, how times have changed.
all aircraft are licensed by the government and conducted
According to the Regional Airline Association (commuter airlines)
according to federal regulations so that each Young Eagle will
the average first-year pay, now, is $58,549. This reporter has heard
experience a safe and
some lucky young pilots have received sign-on bonuses up to an
enjoyable flight. Chapter
additional $60,000. What has driven this is the major airlines have
1067 Young Eagles pilots
raided the commuters to cover their own shortages. Consequently,
and ground crew are
they are paying even more that just a few years ago.
Naples residents from a
Last year there were about 38,000 new student pilot certificates
variety of professions such
issued. Compare that with over 63,000 issued in 2008. Not much
as medicine, law, military,
math is needed to realize that the timing for an aviation career is
commercial aviation,
ripe and EAA Chapter 1067 wants to help realize that dream.
and business. After their
flight, the Young Eagle is
presented with a logbook Bruce Buchanan
with a unique code to Board Member
activate a free EAA Naples Chapter EAA 1067
Student Membership that Youngeagles1067@gmail.com
50 Life in Naples | December 2018