The Experimental Aircraft Association’s year-old Eagle Flights program, which provides one-on-one flight experiences for adults interested in becoming a pilot, marked its 1,000th flight on Aug. 10 in Hickory, North Carolina. Bradley Bormuth of Hickory’s EAA Chapter 731, took Joshua Austin for a flight in a Cessna 172.
Eagle Flights, launched at AirVenture in July 2012, is based on the successful Young Eagles program, which has flown more than 1.7 million kids between the ages of 8 and 17 since 1992.
Through Eagle Flights, EAA hopes to expand the pilot population.
“EAA chapters providing Eagle Flights are making the program successful,” said Trevor Janz, manager of chapters and Eagle Flights. “We set a goal of 1,000 Eagle Flight rides given the first year and our chapters made that goal. EAA chapters are making a difference and will help grow the pilot population and their chapter membership by supporting Eagle Flights for adults.”
The Eagle Flights program is supported by Sennheiser, which is providing financial resources, as well as dedicated outreach assistance.
“EAA has a longstanding history of encouraging flight training, in addition to an extremely supportive network of accomplished pilots around the world,” said Christian Pulm, global marketing and strategy development, Sennheiser Aviation. He added Sennheiser’s sponsorship of EAA Eagle Flights is another way the company is building on its Live Your Dream program. Launched in 2011, Live Your Dream is designed to help people with a passion for flying to take the first step towards becoming a pilot.
“There are many synergies between Sennheiser’s Live Your Dream and EAA Eagle Flights,” Pulm said. “Both programs provide a wealth of resources designed to educate and motivate, while bringing the possibility of attaining a pilot’s license one step closer.”
For more information: Sennheiser-LiveYourDream.com, EAA.org