St Croix Composite Squadron - Civil Air Patrol

On Saturday, 13 June 2009, the St. Croix Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was present to show our support for the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) Chapter #54, Young Eagle Flight program at Lake Elmo Airport (21D), Lake Elmo, MN.

We were graciously invited by the members of EAA chapter #54 based at the Lake Elmo Airport to have a recruiting table and to talk to the large number of young people and their parents about Civil Air Patrol and our mission.

The original mission of the EAA Aviation Foundation’s Young Eagles program was intended to provide a meaningful flight experience to 1 million young people between the ages of 8 and 17 by the year 2003, which was the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers first powered flight.
This mission was accomplished and the Young Eagles program has provided well over 1.3 million flights to youngster’s to date.

The EAA Young Eagle program is intended to give kids their first airplane ride with a one-on-one experience with the pilot and to introduce them to aviation in a positive way. Their program is intended to provide for one free flight only because they do not have the resources to give multiple flights to the same child throughout the year.

Their Young Eagle pilots fly a variety of FAA certified aircraft and each youngster gets to have a unique hands-on flying experience. After the flight, each new Young Eagle is presented with a certificate, which is suitable for framing.

EAA Chapter #54 invites young aviators ages 8 to 17 for a free airplane ride at the Lake Elmo Airport (21D). They are located at the EAA chapter 54 clubhouse, enter Gate B, off Manning Ave. The Young Eagle rides are given each second Saturday of the month from May through October at 9:00 am weather permitting.

If you would like more information about this first flight program or to reserve a flight, please visit www.EAA54.org and click on Young Eagles.

I had a first hand chance to talk with both the parents and youngsters who participated in today’s program, the grin on the youngsters face said it all. Many of the folks I was able to talk to were very interested in Civil Air Patrol and one of our missions, which is very similar to that of the EAA’s Young Eagle program.

I would like to thank our hosts at EAA Chapter 54 for inviting us to participate for the day and to show our support for this great hands-on display of aerospace education.

Story submitted by:
Scott Richardson, 2Lt. CAP
Public Affairs Officer
St. Croix Composite Squadron
Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol