From an Aug. 20, 2026, press release from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA):
More than 200,000 young people nationwide have now had the opportunity to discover and explore a next step in aviation, thanks to the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course available free of charge following their EAA Young Eagles flights.”
200,000 next steps from 2.5 million first steps — the total number of Young Eagles flights since the program took off — is 8%.
That’s one sign up for every 12 flights.
In the world of direct mail, 8% is more than double the average return.
Moving a kid from “that was cool” to “here’s how you can take the next step” is key to growing aviation.
We should be thrilled.
And thankful.
Thank you to Sporty’s Pilot Shop for making its Learn to Fly Course (a $299 value) available at no charge to Young Eagles.
And thank you to the thousands of Young Eagles pilots who continue to share their love of flying with as many young people as they can.
2.5 million and 200,000 are big numbers.
But it’s the small numbers that can light a fire.
One pilot. One Young Eagle. One flight.
Thanks Ben, for the EAA Young Eagles article. I’ve been an EAA member for 20 years and have flown close to 200 Young Eagle flights, so far.
Some kids are a bit nervous, but when I show them that the aircraft will fly ok without me on the controls… they relax. And then I let them make some turns and fly straight and level, and they see how easy it is to fly the aircraft.
I then tell them that it takes practiced skill to land smoothly, which for me is maybe 1 in 5….
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