A year-end review of the Young Eagles program reports that there have been 47,400 Young Eagles flights through November 2022.
“The program continues to rise out of COVID-19, as flight activity is moving closer and closer to pre-pandemic levels,” notes David Leiting, Eagles Program Manager.
In a normal year, approximately 60,000 Young Eagles take flight — and that was bested in 2019 with 59,016 flights.
But 2020 saw only 8,006 flights, while there were 35,590 in 2021.
“2020 and 2021 certainly took a toll on the program,” he added.
To help the program rebound in 2022, Experimental Aircraft Association officials challenged volunteers to fly 50,000 Young Eagles.
That goal is well within reach, he said, noting that paperwork from fall flights continues to come into headquarters, along with flights scheduled for December that should take 2022’s totals to 50,000.
“Now for 2023, let’s set our sights on 60,000 Young Eagles,” he tells volunteers.
In his report, he cited other highlights of the program for 2022:
During the Young Eagles 30th anniversary launch at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, the 30 Flights for 30 Years challenge was introduced. It challenges volunteer pilots to fly 30 Young Eagles between Aug. 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, in celebration of the 30th anniversary.
As of late November 2022, nearly 100 pilots had already met the goal of flying 30 Young Eagles, he reports.
Additionally, 15 EAA chapters reached milestones in Young Eagles flight activity:
- EAA Chapter 194: 100
- EAA Chapter 709: 500
- EAA Chapter 1306: 500
- EAA Chapter 661: 1,000
- EAA Chapter 260: 1,000
- EAA Chapter 251: 1,000
- EAA Chapter 931: 1,000
- EAA Chapter 227: 5,000
- EAA Chapter 1174: 5,000
- EAA Chapter 731: 5,000
- EAA Chapter 145: 5,000
- EAA Chapter 613: 5,000
- EAA Chapter 40: 10,000
- EAA Chapter 252: 15,000
- EAA Chapter 1: 15,000
Learn more about Young Eagles at EAA.org.