Middle School Students Soar Like Young Eagles

The Los Angeles Times ^ | December 22, 2008 | Dan Weikel

[dbz77]

t wasn't the usual takeoff from Torrance Municipal Airport. When the cream-and-maroon Citabria Adventure broke its bond with Earth, George Butts pulled back hard on the stick. The little aerobatic plane shot skyward at a near vertical angle, like a roller coaster making its first ascent.

In back, G-forces shoved 12-year-old Jon Miller of Los Angeles into his seat. Then he was momentarily weightless as Butts quickly leveled off at the top of his climb. By the time they returned almost 30 minutes later, Jon had experienced dives, banking turns and low-level passes over Santa Monica Bay.

It was the boy's first flight in a small plane, but odds are it won't be his last.

[Abathar]

I picture a certain scene from “Space Cowboys”...

[cyclotic]

Young Eagles is a great organization. My sons fly with them as often as they can and it has encouraged my youngest in his quest to make aviation a career.

[SmithL]

My kids loved being able to participate with the Young Eagles when they were young.

[Try_Freedom]

My son still talks about his Young Eagles flight almost a year later. He loved it. The best part was getting a certificate signed by Indiana Jones! My daughter is chomping at the bit to take her flight this summer.

[wastedyears]

Ping

I bet you’ll like this.

[wastedyears]

Signed by Indiana Jones? The certificate was signed by Harrison Ford?

[Try_Freedom]

Harrison Ford is the Honorary Chairman of the Young Eagles program. So, his signature is printed on all of their certificates. My son thinks Harrison Ford is the coolest so that was the icing on the cake.

[wastedyears]

That’s really really cool. I think I actually remember hearing about him being involved with that program.

That would have made for one heck of a Christmas present for me years ago. Now I’d be stuck having to pay for my own first lesson.