EAA is searching for a special young person to join Young Eagles Chairman Jimmy Graham for a milestone: The 2.5 millionth Young Eagle flight at AirVenture 2026.
Young Eagles
Picture of the Day: Hangar Flying With a Young Eagle
Rob Stapleton submitted this photo and note: “Gael Morales, 9, gets an explanation of instruments and controls of a 1979 Cessna 182 during a Young Eagles event by Dave Wampole, 81, a pilot and aircraft owner who is a member of EAA Chapter 620. Wampole, a retired sixth grade teacher, keeps his plane at a hangar at Miami Executive Airport (KTMB) that is a teaching area for Miami-area Young Eagles projects and flights.”
The Final Push to 2.5 Million Young Eagles
The program is within 25,000 Young Eagles of reaching its goal of 2.5 million kids flown by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
Starting the New Year Right
EAA Chapter 534 in Leesburg, Florida, introduced 18 kids to the magic of flight on Jan. 3, 2026.
Young Eagles flights top 50,000 in last year
The flights were flown by 4,250 volunteer pilots, including 970 pilots who flew a Young Eagle for the first time, according to EAA officials.
Picture of the Day: Lily and a Flying Knight
Dave Cohen submitted this picture with a note: “I love flying Young Eagles events in my 1967 Cessna 172H “Lily.” As the Dean of the Lynn University College of Aeronautics, I was able to join some of our instructors, who participated in a local Young Eagles event with one of our Lynn “Flying Knights” Skyhawks in Belle Glade, Florida.”
Young Eagles unveils Mission 2.5
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program is asking pilots to help it reach 2.5 million Young Eagles flown by July 2026 with the “Mission 2.5” campaign.
Getting up to speed
I wouldn’t say we’ve got a well-oiled mill cranking out future aviation industry participants just yet. But it does feel like the apparatus is coming together.
EAA introduces Young Eagles Connect
Young people who are pursuing an interest in flight through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program now have additional free support as they learn, thanks to the new Young Eagles Connect portal that connects them with mentors who can offer encouragement and guidance.