I’m a huge advocate of hands-on learning experiences. Whenever an opportunity comes along where our kids can try something new, I try to take it. I know for us, one of the most exciting field trips we’ve ever been on was when my 13-year-old son got to fly an airplane!
I was fortunate to stumble upon the Young Eagle’s Program on Facebook. A pilot in our area named Jeff Ostrander was advertising this experience in a local homeschooling group. The words “FREE AIRPLANE RIDE” caught my attention.
I emailed him and discovered that yes, a free ride was being offered with no strings attached. Little did I know that there was SO MUCH MORE to this program.
When we first arrived, my sons were understandably nervous. Jeff talked to us about the Young Eagle’s program and how their goal is to get kids interested in flight – and possibly in becoming a pilot someday.
After signing a few forms, we were out on the tarmac and he was showing the boys how to inspect the plane.
I was super impressed with the amount of time he took explaining things to the boys and making this into a genuine learning experience. He also answered all of their questions patiently.
Of course, we had to get a photo of them in front of the airplane before they went up in the air.
We got a photo of our entire family in front of the airplane as well. My husband was taking flying lessons when we first met, so seeing his boys go up in an airplane was a very special experience for him.
First, Jeff secured the boys properly. This is always a good thing for a mom to observe when both of her sons are heading off into the great blue yonder.
Sam was pretty excited about this. He was eager to sit in front so he would have a good view. Ben wasn’t so sure about the whole thing.
Here’s Jeff making sure the boys can hear him through their headphones.
As they taxied down the runway, I felt my heart beating out of my chest. I was SO EXCITED for them. But I also realized I had just let some guy I don’t even know take off with my boys in an airplane! Yikes!
And they’re up! Praise the Lord, they made it off the ground safely. I know enough about flying to know that takeoffs and landings are usually the most dangerous part. Pshew!
They flew around for about half an hour and then they came back to the airport. I had no idea that my youngest son was the one flying the plane at this point. As soon as they were in the air, Jeff let him take over the controls and he did the steering. This was a HUGE THRILL for my son that I don’t think he’ll ever forget.
Back on the ground, my oldest son enjoyed the ride – but he was also relieved once his feet were back on solid ground. It probably didn’t help that his younger brother was doing the flying. LOL
And here was our new pilot in the making. Sam was absolutely thrilled and I think he grew 2 inches that day.
Amazingly, there was more than just one airplane ride in store for my boys. He gave them information which entitled them to do all of their ground school training online FOR FREE. This is another incredible aspect of the Young Eagle’s program.
Sam has taken advantage of this opportunity and has been doing his ground school training all year for science. This has been a unique way for him to learn about something that truly interests him and which may be extremely beneficial for him someday.
If you have a child who might also be interested in checking out this program, you can do so on their website. Or click here to find a pilot who takes part in this program.
Question: What’s the most exciting field trip your family has been on? Has your child ever expressed an interest in flying? Please leave a comment below.
Our local airport offers this exciting program as well and our children have been on this field trip with their 4H group twice and the homeschool group once! Our 13 year old son wants to be a missionary pilot and this is the perfect training ground. Love the photos!
That’s wonderful, Cheryl! We just learned about this program last year. It has been a great experience for my boys as well!
Thanks for this. My son is a boy scout and this program will help him with the Aviation Merit Badge and also help him learn more about flying in a plane before we take one on vacation.
You’re welcome. Glad I could spread the word!
What a wonderful program! Thank you for blogging about it and sharing the opportunity with all of us. I just finished reading your free ebook about homeschooling boys. It had a wealth of knowledge! Thanks again!
Glad I could help, Janelle. And thanks for your kind words about my ebook as well. Take care and thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing! We have a Boy Scout, a WEBELOS Scout, and 2 American Heritage Girls and we assumed we would not be able to afford to try the Aviation badges..thank you for sharing!!!
You’re welcome. Glad I could help!!! I hope they enjoy it as much as my boys have. 🙂
Michelle! You just answered this mama’s prayers! I have been praying about how to get my 15 year old some experience as he thinks he wants to be a pilot!
Just the thought of all the work ahead of him, makes this mama’s heart beat a little faster. My guy has an IQ of 115, and he’s blessed with multiple learning challenges. The ability to get some experience while he is still in high school would be amazing! Checking out the links now, and thank you again! 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad I could help. Yes, this program is amazing!!! You’ll have to let me know about your experience after he has gone up for his flight. 🙂
My kids all took a young eagle flight when my boy was 11. They loved it.
When my son turned 14 he started taking flying lessons at the local airport through the flying club. We too used the ground school etc as his science for a year. He soloed at 16, got his license at 17 and is now attending the College of Missionary Aviation. Currently working on his instrument rating.
Oh, that’s awesome! We never know what these experiences will lead to down the road, do we?!? Thanks so much for sharing your son’s story with us! Does he know which country he’ll be ministering in, yet?
No. He is just going through college. Then he will find an organization to work with etc. 🙂
We’re thrilled that your sons enjoyed the flight and Sam is pursuing his ground school courses! More than 20,000 of today’s pilots under age 40 started as Young Eagles, so there is a lot of company for today’s kids who start a dream this way. We’d love to see more readers of this blog have their kids join us for a Young Eagles flight. You never know what possibilities await!
Wow, that’s great to hear, Dick. It certainly has been a positive experience for our son. I’m glad I’m able to help get the word out about this terrific program. Thanks so much for stopping by!