FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
A few Fresno pilots who are passionate about flying took a number of young people out for a spin Saturday morning. They're hoping the first time flyers will get hooked on their favorite hobby.
The Young Eagles program in Fresno recruits kids from eight to 17 to spend time in the cockpit soaring through the clouds. Tom Tran had a blast. "That ride was amazing. We did all kinds of loops and barrel rolls. We did a hammer head stall and just go up like that. I loved that one."
All pilots who participate donate their time and their planes. Jadyn and Jovanna Tavares really enjoyed their flight. "Actually I thought I was gonna be nervous but it was actually kind of calming. You liked it up there? Yeah."
The Young Eagles is a national program that first soared in 1992. Since then 1.7 million kids have been able to hitch a ride and share space with all winged wonders.
Elijah loved it. "We saw a lot of swimming pools and a golf course." If kids show an interest in aviation, Bruce McJunkin says the Young Eagles program provides the next step. "If they like it they can take an online ground school that we provide for them. It allows for everything a pilot needs to learn as far as academics goes."
This is a day kids will remember for the rest of their lives. But Jadyn Tavares doesn't believe she's pilot material. "No. Why not? It's too hard. Too hard, too much work. Too many buttons."
The Central Valley Young Eagles program hosts at least seven flying rallies each year
