Luke Nunez, who took his first general aviation flight about two years ago as a Young Eagle, is paying it forward.
Now a private pilot, Luke flew his first Young Eagle May 11, 2024, at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) in Leesburg, Florida.
The flight occurred during a regular Young Eagles rally held by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534, which is based at KLEE.
Luke’s first Young Eagle passenger was 11-year-old Amalie Weaver, a young girl who seems to have the same insatiable interest in aviation that Luke displayed not so many years ago.
Amalie covets the right seat during her Young Eagle flights so she can get a chance to try flying the plane under the watchful eye of whatever EAA pilot she flies with. Luke reported that she got that chance again during his flight and did well.
Luke, the chapter’s 2023 Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient, is now working on his instrument rating. He also landed a full-time job at the airport working for Sunair Aviation, where he trained.
Luke’s long-term goal is to become a Certified Flight Instructor and eventually fly for an airline.
Luke was one of eight EAA Chapter 534 pilots who volunteered their time, planes, and fuel to fly Young Eagles.
There also was another new pilot at the rally, Roger Sturtevant, who flew Young Eagles for the first time with EAA Chapter 534.
During the latest rally, EAA Chapter 534 had 15 young people sign up for flights.
They arrived with their parents in tow at the chapter hangar around 9 a.m., filled out the necessary paperwork, and were assigned to a chapter pilot and plane.
Both the Young Eagles and their parents were given an orientation about what to expect by Joel Hargis, the chapter’s chief Young Eagles pilot. He stressed that the number one priority of the program is safety, while the second is to have fun.
This was followed by a demonstration of how pilots preflight their aircraft before each flight. This was done by Chloe Kadletz, one of the chapter’s Ray Aviation Scholars who has now become private pilot.
After this demonstration the Young Eagles headed for the ramp to get in the planes and take off for the wild blue yonder.
These general aviation flights for kids are done with the hope that the experience will kindle an interest in aviation. Many times, this experience will lead them to become pilots or develop an interest in some other area of aerospace.
The Young Eagle program is open to any young person age 8 to 17 with permission of a parent or guardian. The flights last between 20 to 30 minutes at no cost to them or their parents.
At some point in the flight the pilot may ask the youngster if they would like to try flying the plane.
If they say they would like to try it, the pilot will explain what to do and give them the experience of controlling the plane. This is all done under the close watch of the EAA pilot and they are able to quickly correct any errors the young person may make.
Other free perks the kids get when they become Young Eagles are a commemorative certificate and log book signed by their pilot. They also get free access to Sporty’s Learn to Fly online course, which will prepare them to take the FAA written exam.
For more information: EAA.org, EAAChapter534.org