Young Eagle No. 2,000,000 Becomes a Pilot

By Dick Knapinski, EAA

Jodie Gawthrop got the opportunity of a lifetime in July 2016 when she was chosen to be EAA’s 2 millionth Young Eagle and take her flight with pilot and actor Harrison Ford at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016. Since then, she’s done one better – earning her own private pilot certificate this past summer.

“When I became a private pilot, I felt this new sense of independence, as if more doors had been opened,” said Gawthrop, an Illinois native who took her famous Young Eagles flight at age 17. “It doesn’t feel like the end of a journey, but instead feels like the beginning of a new one with so much more to learn, and I absolutely can’t wait for what the future holds.”

Jodie Gawthrop (left) and pilot/actor Harrison Ford after their flight at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 that made Gawthrop the 2 millionth Young Eagle. Ford was Young Eagles chairman in 2003 -2008 and continues to fly Young Eagles today. (EAA photo/Mike Steineke)

It’s been a busy summer for Gawthrop, who also fit in a study trip to Australia immediately after passing her checkride and earning her pilot certificate. She also this year had a chance meeting with Eric Whyte, who received his Young Eagles flight in August 1992 and became one of the first Young Eagles to earn a pilot certificate. He now flies professionally and has personally flown more than 600 Young Eagles.

Gawthrop has also been involved with Civil Air Patrol for a number of years, giving her a firm foundation and support system for her

aviation dreams. She encourages any young person interested in flight to connect with Young Eagles.

“Being a Young Eagle positively impacted my flight training journey by connecting me with the people and resources to make earning my wings possible, and helped me grow up among general aviation at its finest,” Gawthrop said. “I’m grateful for EAA and the Young Eagles program’s faith and support throughout the journey, and ultimately hope to give back to the future of flight.”

Anyone age 8-17 is encouraged to find out how to obtain their own Young Eagles flight from a pilot in their hometown area. More than 2.1 million Young Eagles have now been registered, with thousands of them discovering a great future in aviation.

EAA also encourages pilots to “pay it forward” by flying Young Eagles. More information for pilots, potential Young Eagles and their parents is available at EAA.org/YoungEagles.

Jodie Gawthrop (left) and Eric Whyte enjoy the cockpit of a B-24 bomber. Gawthrop became Young Eagle No. 2,000,000 in 2016 and earned her pilot certificate in July, while Whyte received his Young Eagles flight in August 1992 and became one of the first Young Eagles to earn a pilot’s certificate. (Photo courtesy Eric Whyte and EAA)