Eagle Flights, just announced!

[Chad Jensen]

The new program, Young Eagles for adults, named Eagle Flights, has just been officially announced! :cool:

http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-11-17_eagle_flights.asp

[danielfindling]

Any updates?

[Chad Jensen]

The program launch is scheduled during AirVenture this summer with the first two being flown by Rod and Jeff. :cool:

[LostUpNorth]

Can I fly the third ;)

[tjf3019]

Will the Eagle Flights get the adults the free Sportys Ground School and e-Sport Aviation?

[Frank Giger]

It will be interesting to see which "adult" demographic this will be aimed at.

I would like to think it's the 25-45 year old group, but somehow I keep thinking it will look like a line-up for AARP memberships at such events.

[Trevor Janz]

HI Everyone!

We are working on the program and we will have a (at least one...possibly more) ground school course available for Eagle Flight participants. The age range is anyone 18 and above. At this point we think 35 and above....people that can afford the time and cost to get a rating...and utilize aircraft for pleasure and business.

In the beginning we see the Eagle Flight's being more of a one on one, word of mouth....asking friends and collegues that would be interested in learning how flying personal aircraft can be fun and also useful.

Rest assured we are working on developing the complete program, so when it is officially launched at Oshkosh AirVenture 2012....we can provide all the information and most importanty start signing up Eagle Flight volunteer pilots!

Blue skies and tailwinds!

Trevor

[rosiejerryrosie]

It will be interesting to see which "adult" demographic this will be aimed at.

I would like to think it's the 25-45 year old group, but somehow I keep thinking it will look like a line-up for AARP memberships at such events.

And what is wrong with the AARP elegible group? (Not that I'd ever join that organization) I got my ticket at age 74!

[Frank Giger]

When looking to grow the field of aviation for the future there is a slight problem inherent with recruiting 74 year olds.

Not to say I'm against someone who is fit to fly that happens to be old taking up flying, but I do think it would be counter productive to spend a lot of money and time recruiting them.

[Trevor Janz]

Jerry....the AARP group is fine. We want to grow the pilot population. What we have found is that empty nesters....have the time and funds to pursue a long time goal of learning to fly. Also, this age group tends to get a rating and then purchases and or builds and aircraft!

One of the demographics that we need to consider are the business people that can really utilize an aircraft. I was talking with a sales person (43 years of age) that spends all his time driving...when he could visit the three accounts in one day...and be home for dinner....when he attains his pilots license. That is just one example of a possible Eagle Flight Candidate...there are hundreds more.

I know of a pilot that got his rating...and purchased an aircraft...to simply get his children to their colleges and back for visits. :)

[rosiejerryrosie]

When looking to grow the field of aviation for the future there is a slight problem inherent with recruiting 74 year olds.

The future is NOW!

[Frank Giger]

...especially when one is bucking the actuarian tables!

;)

All kidding aside, adding pilots at any age is a good thing!

The larger question I was asking was probably poorly worded, so let me try again:

What is the strategic goal of the program?

If it is to simply put pilots (read student pilots who will join the EAA) on the rolls, it may be worthy to go after the Boomers, knowing that in five years 90% won't be active.

If it is to put some muscle into the GA population the 25-45 year old demographic might be more on point.

Naturally I write that as a guy who got his ticket at 45 years old after finishing a suprisingly long stint in uniform (they said I wouldn't last three weeks - they just didn't tell me I'd have to do 1,297 weeks before I'd hit the count down!).

[rosiejerryrosie]

For me - and me alone - I am more than willing to share my joy of flying with anyone of any age - the more the merrier....
I got my ticket after 20 years in the Army and 20 years in the mental health field. The next 20 are mine and mine alone...

[Osprey]

When I was a starving CFI the back of my business cards read "Haven't you waited long enough?"