Fun for Kids with Airplanes and Helicopters at Leesburg Airport

By Ted Luebbers

Twenty Youngsters had a chance to fly in both a helicopter and a general aviation fixed wing aircraft at the Leesburg International Airport in Leesburg, Florida on Saturday December 8, 2018.

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534 held a Young Eagles flying event at the airport for these young people and for most of them it was the first time they had flown in an airplane.

These children and their parents convened at the EAA Chapter 534 hangar at 9:00 AM to fill out their Young Eagles paperwork and have an orientation given to them by Joel Hargis, President of Chapter 534. They were told what to expect during the flight and to meet their EAA pilots.

What made this orientation a bit different was when Hargis asked who wanted to fly in a helicopter, all the kids raised their hand. On this day five fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter were provided by EAA volunteer pilots so it was decided to treat these young folks with rides in both types of aircraft.

What made this opportunity possible was that Hans- Gunter Vosseler, a Chapter 534 pilot, brought his large Eurocopter to the party and was able to fly five kids at a time. Hans generously pitched in and made four separate flights so that all the Young Eagles would get a chance to fly in a helicopter.

In between helicopter flights each child also flew in a single engine general aviation fixed wing aircraft.

The Young Eagles Flight program is designed to give young people an opportunity to fly in a general aviation aircraft with the hope that this exposure will spark an interest in aviation so when they come of age, they will seek out careers in aviation and/or go on to earn a private pilot’s license.

On a national basis, EAA has been offering this free flight program for kids for twenty-five years and have flown over two million children. The program is open to kids ages 8 to 17.

Upon completion of their flights, each student receives an EAA Flight Commemoration Certificate and a flight log book signed by their EAA pilot. In addition, each person receives a free online “Learn to Fly Course” that will help them prepare for a Federal Aviation Administration written exam if they wish to go on to secure a private pilot’s license. Among several other free things, they also get one hour of dual flight instruction at a flight school of their choice.

Chapter 534 provided six volunteer pilots and their personal aircraft as well as nine additional chapter volunteers helping with the paperwork and escorting kids safely to and from airplanes.

Kids were also treated to a tour by the crew of a medical air care helicopter belonging to Orlando Health. This aircraft is based at the Leesburg International Airport and is on standby for medical emergencies on a 24/7 basis.

If you would like more information about EAA Chapter 534 or the Young Eagles Flight program, go to the following web sites.

www.youngeagles.org/join www.eaachapter534.org Permission granted to use any or all photos.

The crew of the Orlando Health emergency medical helicopter show off their aircraft and explain their mission to the EAA Chapter 534 Young Eagles at the Leesburg International Airport. (photo by Ted Luebbers )