AMA and EAA Young Eagles Build and Fly

For many of today’s experienced modelers, their early years of aeromodeling included building. Aircraft did not come out of the box ready to fly, and there was no such thing as a foamie.

Building aircraft taught them how to use tools, which glues worked best, and how to cover their models. Now a new generation will be introduced to the world of building, thanks to a partnership between AMA and the EAA.

The new Young Eagles Build and Fly program will introduce youth to aircraft construction and teach them the fundamentals of flight. AMA has helped EAA develop this program, but model aircraft clubs and EAA chapters are needed to make it work.

The “program-in-a-box” requires EAA chapters and local AMA clubs to join forces and engage Young Eagles participants and other youth. Aspiring young pilots can participate in the program either before or after taking their EAA Young Eagles flights.

The program kit includes an EAA-exclusive, electric-powered Sig Manufacturing eKadet LT-40 kit, all building materials, electronics, and accessories. Also included is a Horizon Hobby Vapor indoor RC model and a RealFlight 9 RC flight simulator. Thanks to the support of the Burgher Fund and discounts from Sig Manufacturing and Horizon Hobby, the complete project kit is available for $500 plus shipping and handling (roughly a third of the retail price).

After purchasing the project kit, EAA chapters and AMA clubs need to provide volunteers, a place to house the program, and a computer to run the flight simulator.

AMA clubs interested in participating can visit www.eaa.org/buildandfly to sign up. These clubs can find an EAA chapter with which to partner at www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/find-an-eaa-chapter.