Free airplanes rides will be given to kids this weekend to help connect them with aviation.
The local chapter of the EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association, will be hosting a Fly-in/Drive-in Breakfast at the Butler County Airport, now officially known as the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, on Sunday, Aug 13, 2017. Included in the day will be free flights for kids 8-17 years old. The Fly-in/Drive-in events usually attracts up to 80 kids.
Debie Santolla, the local Young Eagle chapter coordinator, says the breakfasts are held twice a year as a fundraiser. The money raised from the breakfast will be used to send kids interested in aviation to a camp in Wisconsin. Last year the organization was able to send 4 young individuals.
The Young Eagles program was developed to give interested young people an opportunity to fly in a smaller plane. A parent or guardian will need to sign paperwork before the flight and there are no obligations after. There is a small aviation class beforehand and then the flight can take place. Only experienced, official pilots will fly the planes.
The event will take place from 9am-1pm.
The Young Eagles can be found online www.eaa.org.
Written By: Tracey Morgan for the Butler Radio Network
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