Free Flights for Kids at St. Cloud Airport This Saturday Through Young Eagles Rally

(KNSI) – On Saturday, Kids in central Minnesota can get a bird’s-eye view of St. Cloud.

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 551 Young Eagles Rally is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud Regional Airport at Hangar Two. The flights are for kids between eight and 17 years old. EAA Coordinator Chip Sauers explained to KNSI News what the program hopes to accomplish. “The goal is to give youth an opportunity to experience aviation. We want to generate interest in aviation at the Experimental Aviation Association. So, this is one way we do it. Pilots are local members of the chapter, and they’ll be flying their own planes.”

Kids must pre-register online to save a spot and then have their parent or guardian fill out paperwork when they arrive. Sauers says there are a few things to do before the main event. “There’s a flight simulator there. And then there’ll be a static plane that will be demonstrating the different operations of the airplane. They’ll meet the pilot, go for a flight, come back. They’ll be issued a flight book and a certificate of their flight.”

Kids generally spend 20 to 30 minutes in the air. For those bitten by the flying bug, the local EAA chapter offers scholarships to help people get their private pilot’s license.

The free flights have been offered since 1992. To reserve a spot, click here.

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