March 28, 2024

Free airplane ride for area youths

Area youths ages 8-17 will be given a free flight in a private airplane Saturday, July 20, at Osceola Municipal Airport during the Young Eagles Flight Rally, sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1143.

Registration, including the signature of a parent or guardian, begins at 9 a.m. at Osceola Municipal Airport, which is located four miles east on Highway 34, then one and a-half miles north on 270th Avenue.

Children taking their first airplane ride and living within 30 miles of Osceola will be flown first, others will be put on a waiting list. Young fliers may want to wear sunglasses and bring a camera.

Flights are free and flown by area licensed and experienced pilots who volunteer their time, personal aircraft and fuel. Pilots at the event will also explain more about their airplanes, allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety before every flight.

Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will then be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wis.

The event is intended to interest young people in aviation. In addition to the airplane ride, there will be free model airplanes, aviation coloring books and light refreshments.

In case of brisk winds or rain, the event will be held on Sunday, July 21. For additional information contact Mary Ellen Kimball, flight rally chair at 641-342-4272, Norm Skinner, EAA chapter president at 641-342-2502, Lyle Persels, Osceola Airport Commission, at 641-342-7437 or Linda Persels, airport manager, at 641-340-5670.