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Thread: Not kicking the family pet - Just asking the Question

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  1. #1
    Jim Heffelfinger's Avatar
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    Not kicking the family pet - Just asking the Question

    Believe me, I am not trying to kick the family pet here - I think the YE program is terrific and I am proud of the community support.
    Over the last 5 years EAA has collected around $12 million toward the YE program. It may be more, as the Gathering of Eagles is just one part of the youth development program. I am going to guess it does not go into the general fund but is ear marked….. I am asking for what?
    I do know there are scholarships but most of them are private sponsors - the aviation community is passionate and generous. Thank you.
    It’s for the children but where is it going? And what is the plan.

  2. #2
    FlyingRon's Avatar
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    There are scholarships to the academy. I would expect the insurance rider that raises your policy up to a smooth million isn't a freebee for the foundation, there's also some insurance on the volunteers (separate from the pilots). There are some costs in administering the program: publicity, certificates, etc...

  3. #3
    Jim Heffelfinger's Avatar
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    This thread has had lots of reads but only one comment. That leaves me to speculate on the reception. Either it’s a taboo topic or no one knows.

  4. #4
    Jim,

    I've responded to your question in another thread, but for the sake of keeping the discussion in one place I'll say it again here.

    Reading some of the archived announcements from '92 and '93 introducing the Young Eagles program you can see that it arose out of members' stated desire to bring more young people into aviation. It's pretty clear that the original intent was to expose a youngster to general aviation, not necessarily to convert them into pilots.

    It may just be my impression, but it seems like there's been some "mission creep", and somewhere along the way it became about quantity vs. quality. Fundraising for the program even seems to have followed that path in that everyone wants to give more and more, but we're not really sure for what.

    Now would be a good time to re-assess where we want to go with the program, and re-define what we expect and want to get out of it as an organization especially in light of the new Eagles program. I've been a chapter coordinator for eight years and I'm sure that there are many, like me, that have some strong opinions about how it can "work", and about its value not only to the Young Eagles, but also to participating pilots, chapters, and our local communities. I think it would be great if we could be a part of the internal planning and discussions about the future of Young Eagles and the Eagles programs.

    Ken
    Last edited by Ken Mercer; 08-15-2012 at 03:47 PM. Reason: formatting

  5. #5
    Brian O'Lena's Avatar
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    Jim, you’re not kicking the pet but asking a good question. While the Gathering of Eagles does provide what sounds like a significant sum of money for our youth programs, the number reported is gross not "net" and the cost to put on the event is extremely high. The cost to fund the Young Eagles program is increasing each year as insurance, printing, and postage cost rise. Thousands of wonderful EAA volunteers flew over 77,000 Young Eagles last year and we provided insurance and printed materials as well as staff support to ensure the programs success. This is in addition to the nearly $300,000 in youth scholarships offered annually.

  6. #6

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    Yes, I would also like to know about the financial details of the Young Eagle program.
    Two of you say donations total $12 million, and scholarships are $1.5 million, ( that is 5 years at $300,000). Where has the other $10.5 million gone?
    Brian says printing costs are high, and there is insurance costs? It doesn't sound like that should be anywhere near $10.5 million?

    As for insurance, the pilots furnish their own plane and their own insurance and fuel, donated at no cost to EAA or the young people being flown. If EAA insurance is on top of that, like for the event itself, it doesn't seem like that insurance would be costly at all. I don't know if there has even been a claim against EAA or one of the volunteer pilots as the program has been accident free or almost so, thus the rates charged must be low?

  7. #7
    Eric Page's Avatar
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    What does one Eagle or Young Eagle cost EAA?
    Eric Page
    Building: Kitfox 5 Safari | Rotax 912iS | Dynon HDX
    Member: EAA Lifetime, AOPA, ALPA
    ATP: AMEL | Comm: ASEL, Glider | ATCS: CTO
    Map of Landings

  8. #8
    Brian O'Lena's Avatar
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    A significant element of the Young Eagles program is the insurance that protects you as a volunteer while you participate. EAA has arranged comprehensive insurance for all aspects of the Young Eagles Program, all without any premium charge to volunteers. If you purchase insurance with at least a $100,000 per passenger seat limit, EAA provides an additional $1,000,000 excess umbrella policy to you while you are flying Young Eagles. This coverage is provided at no cost to the pilot. In addition, chapters are insured while hosting a Young Eagles rally. The fact we are able to insure thousands pilots who have a wide variety of flight hours and experience flying experimental, LSA and certified aircraft is a testament to the safety of the program, however this comes at a significant premium each year.
    .
    Brian O'Lena, EAA Lifetime #645286

  9. #9
    Jeff, I appreciate your comments, questions, and the opportunity to provide better understanding. There are several topics mixed into your comments. Might be easier to take the Gathering first. The costs to produce the Gathering of Eagles fall below the national average of 30% - running about $450,000 to provide a unique experience to nearly 1100 people. The Allocation Plan of the remaining $2.1 million includes $1.3 million to Young Eagles Flight Plan (First Flight, Next Step, Flight Awards, Insurance, Promotion, website, newsletters, certificates, Student Membership - currently, over 15,000 youth have been given free EAA membership, Young Eagles Credits of $150,000, IT support, outreach and more with the remaining $800,000 allocated to Museum Youth Education, supporting Air Academy, Scholarship initiatives, WomenSoar, AirVenture Museum programming/exhibits/web/Space Week, Flight Link and more. The Gathering is a critical part of our fund raising goals. I'd be happy to talk with you further if you have additional questions.
    Last edited by Hal Bryan; 09-06-2012 at 02:52 PM.
    Elissa Lines, EAA #740373
    Vice President, Donor and Business Relations

  10. #10
    Jim Heffelfinger's Avatar
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    Thank you Elissa Lines for your candid response to the Gathering of Eagles event. The costs of fund raising needed for such a high profile event is considerable. Right at $400/pp. Since EAA owns the building venue fees are quite limited, Cessna is title sponsor and most likely pays for the food, The 3 Painters fee is commonly either covered or near covered by the sale of the art they create.
    I also appreciate the information on dispersal of funds for the YE/Youth programs that support the next generation of aviators
    Since the original mission of YE has had considerable creep in the last 20 years, has there been a revised mission and five year plan for the program and how the Eagles program will interlace with its mission? I have not seen it in print anywhere.
    Finally – I get Jeff a lot. Seems as though the Jim and Heffelfinger blurr together quite commonly.
    Thank you again
    Jim Heffelfinger
    VP C52 Sacramento, CA

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