FRESNO, Calif. – Athletes from the Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports program took to the skies this summer in Fresno, thanks to the generosity of local pilots and the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program.
Last month, 11 young athletes experienced the thrill of flight at Sierra Sky Park through the EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Plan, which offers free airplane rides to kids ages 8-17.
“These are my favorite kids to fly,” said Timothy Cone, a pilot with EAA Chapter 376. “They have such indomitable spirits and remind me that all of my excuses are invalid.”
Five volunteer pilots participated in the event, offering flights and hands-on experiences with a flight simulator. The simulator allowed the athletes to learn the basics of aviation using real flight controls, including a yoke, rudder and throttle.
Each participant received a Young Eagles certificate and a flight logbook to commemorate the experience.
“I love being in the sky and seeing everything below me, and I really liked the pilot,” said athlete Kingston Anders. “The simulator was so fun; I learned the controls of the plane, to go upwards and downwards.”
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Young Eagles program has provided free flights to athletes at Sierra Sky Park, continuing its mission to inspire the next generation of aviators.
