Did you know that there is a shortage of pilots right now? If you have a child who is interested in flying as a career, you’ll want to learn about this program that will introduce your child to flying. For free!
Click to read also: Fun Ways to Explore the Science of Flight with Kids
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A Fun, Free Way to Introduce Your Child to Flying
What You'll Find on This Page
My three older children recently joined the more than 2 million young people who have enjoyed a free flight in a small plane through the Young Eagles program. My oldest daughter has even continued on with flying lessons!
Designed to inspire children to explore the world of aviation, pilots volunteer their time and their planes to take children on short, free flights.
Any child between the ages of 8 and 17 can participate in this program, so long as there is a flight or volunteer pilot in your area.
What Does a Young Eagles Flight Look Like?
Even if your child has flown on a commercial jet, this is an entirely new experience.
They get to fly close to the ground.
They get to look at an aeronautical chart, and the pilot identifies reference points as they fly.
Children on these flights also get to participate in the pre-flight inspection.
Since they are flying on a small plane, they also get to experience wearing in flight headsets, and they hear radio tower chatter as they fly.
Flying is more accessible now than ever before! Because of the pilot shortage, there are scholarships and programs you can use to help fund a pilot’s license.
Have your tried this fun free flight introduction program with your kids? What did you think? Do you know of other aviation resources that I should share in this post? What other ways would you introduce your children to flying?
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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
I have another friend who did this, and her sons loved flying like this.
It’s an amazing program.