On Saturday, May 19, dozens of local events will turn dreams of flight into reality during the third annual International Learn to Fly Day, a general aviation community-wide effort to help people of all ages take that first step to discover flight. Find a local International Learn to Fly Day event near you at LearnToFly.org.
Events are being held throughout the United States. Local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapters and aviation organizations are leading the way by offering complementary adult orientation flights on May 19, helping connect aviators with those who have always wanted to discover flight.
These introductory flights for adults are similar to EAA’s Young Eagles program, which has offered free flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992. EAA also encourages other aviation organizations and businesses to join in the effort by offering introductory flights, seminars, and open houses at airports and other locations throughout the United States and internationally.
“As we inspire the next generation of aviators, International Learn to Fly Day is one day where we can make a special effort to invite and welcome those who have always dreamed of flying,” said Rod Hightower, EAA President/CEO. “If you’ve always wanted to discover what it is like to sit right seat in an aircraft, seek out an International Learn to Fly Day event in your area. If you are a pilot, share your passion with a friend and take them up for a ride so they can experience the joy and sense of accomplishment of flying an aircraft.”
The inaugural International Learn to Fly Day was in 2010, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring the third Saturday in May as International Learn to Fly Day. It recognizes the contributions of flight instructors, flight schools, aviation groups, and industry in promoting and teaching the nation’s next generation of pilots.
EAA is the leader of this effort because of its network of nearly 1,000 chapters, which supports and promotes aviation on the local level. Those grassroots chapters offer resources for those interested in flight, through the chapter’s members or connections with flight schools and instructors.
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