Young Eagles at E16 -- a success!!!

[Mark van Wyk]

I was a bit worried about today's Chapter 62 Young Eagles event (05/14/16) at the San Martin Airport Open House at E16 (California), because of all of the recent controversy.
I am happy to report that it was a smashing success, because more than a dozen airplanes showed up, and dozens upon dozens of kids were given rides.
Thanks to the pilots who:
- Took the time to complete the simple background check.
- Showed up
- Manned-up.
- Got off their piddy pots and flew kids.
- refused to let our Young Eagles program die because of personal grudges against EAA front office.
EAA Young Eagles is alive and well, despite all of the negative, pessimistic naysayers who were hoping the program would die...despite the chapter presidents who actively lobbied to discontinue their Young Eagles programs..despite those who were predicting the Young Eagles was doomed to failure and extinction.
The program goes on. Kids will get the thrill of flying, of getting their first log book, of getting a signed certificate. Pilots will continue to fly the kids in a well-organized program that offers extra insurance and other protections. The program will grow and prosper.
THANK YOU EAA FOR YOUNG EAGLES.

[Mayhemxpc]

Mark,

For most of us -- at least from the posts I read -- it has nothing to do with "grudges." It is a matter of principle. If we surrender or compromise our principles what message are we sending to the youth we fly? If we do not stand up for little things, what makes anyone believe we will stand up for greater things?

Note that EAA HQ made some significant changes to the program since it was first announced. Some EAA staff members made the effort to reach out to us curmudgeons to better understand the issues and work to resolve them. Would those changes have been made without the voices of those pointing out where the policy was in serious need of change? Would any of those changes have been made if everyone followed your advice to roll over and accept it because "it's for the children"? I have no reason to believe that anything would have changed.

Thanks instead to ALL of the EAA YE pilots who stood up and are standing up to bring necessary corrections to a seriously deficient program. And thanks to the EAA staff members who are listening and responding.

With regard to the participating pilots at your YE rally. I am glad that everything went well. But…are you SURE all the pilots completed the background check? Who checked? How would they have checked?

[rwanttaja]

I was going to post a longish response, but Chris nailed it.

I would like to know the nature of the "grudge" I supposedly hold against the EAA front office, since Mark's posting doesn't seem to see any other reason for objecting to the policy.

Ron Wanttaja

[TomBush]

Excellent post, Chris. . .

I find it both alarming and strange how easily some people will usurp their rights and freedom in the name of 'safety' and 'the children' - especially when this program amounts to no more than window dressing yet poses great risk and insult to the individuals signing up for it. I'll also tell you something else: the YPP does a great job broadcasting to the youth involved that ADULTS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED. Is this the message we want our nations' youth to grow up with? How can we, as conscientious and responsible adults, ever expect to receive the respect of our youth when we teach them day in and day out through programs like this THAT WE ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED?

When I was CO of a Hornet squadron just a few short years ago, I had to perform all sorts of personnel and operational matters in my stateroom, which aboard an aircraft carrier doubles as ones' office. When I had business to conduct with a subordinate - male, female, officer, enlisted - you name it - it all got done the same: with the door closed. I knew of another squadron CO who would leave his door wide open when conducting business with a female so as to avoid the appearance of impropriety. I could not have disagreed with his week-kneed approach more, for what he was doing with this gesture was broadcasting to his entire squadron that he - their LEADER - WAS NOT TO BE TRUSTED! This is what we are teaching our youth (and their parents) through the YPP.

We'll always have bad actors. It is part of the human condition. Despite being probed six ways from Sunday with massive background checks, polygraphs, etc, we'll always have our Aldrich Ames's, Robert Hansen's, John Walker's, et al. With the YPP, you'll still have a small handful of undetectable / never-convicted pervs out there. Once again; it's part of the human condition.

PS: What is EAA's policy on Porta-Potty arrangements at YE events? He, she, or He-She?

[cub builder]

Mark,

Just curious as to why you feel the need to make an "in your face" type post about flying some kids? All of us want to see the YE program succeed, but many of us feel it should not happen under the terms now dictated by the EAA. I'm glad the kids got to go for rides, but many kids won't get to go this year because many, many YE events won't be happening. That is a direct result of the misguided YPP program. But I'm guessing you won't have any problems getting plenty of spare log books and other EAA propaganda to hand out at your YE events.

BTW, you did get a signed waiver to post that picture of kids didn't you???

I find it to be interesting that the web filters at my work place shut off access to the EAAForums two weeks ago as EAAForums is now apparently listed as a subversive or possible porn site. So I guess now we should consider the EAA HQ a bunch of pervs until proven otherwise.

-Cub Builder

[ssmdive]

Mark,

Just curious as to why you feel the need to make an "in your face" type post about flying some kids? All of us want to see the YE program succeed, but many of us feel it should not happen under the terms now dictated by the EAA. I'm glad the kids got to go for rides, but many kids won't get to go this year because many, many YE events won't be happening. That is a direct result of the misguided YPP program. But I'm guessing you won't have any problems getting plenty of spare log books and other EAA propaganda to hand out at your YE events.

BTW, you did get a signed waiver to post that picture of kids didn't you???

I find it to be interesting that the web filters at my work place shut off access to the EAAForums two weeks ago as EAAForums is now apparently listed as a subversive or possible porn site. So I guess now we should consider the EAA HQ a bunch of pervs until proven otherwise.

-Cub Builder

All of this.... He seems quite pleased with himself even though I am willing to bet participation will be down Y/Y. And I think I might call EAA and ask if he had the signed waiver to post those pics of the kids....

They wrote the rules, they should be held accountable to them.