Eagle Flights program - Darrin Dexheimer

I did some basic research on the EAA's Eagle Flights program and thought I'd share my findings,

The program is different from Young Eagles in a number of ways - the biggest being that the goal is to encourage and inspire the individual(s) over a longer period of time.  The "flight" is to spur them into action.  After that you would continue to answer questions and give advice.

Many people, like myself, don't have any pilots in their families or even their pool of friends. Opening this opportunity to people outside of the existing aviation community could help slow our shrinking numbers through NEW channels. 

For more information visit http://www.EAA.org/EagleFlights. You'll find a registration page to become an Eagle Flights Mentor.  After registration you'll receive a package that includes a log book and, to make sure your "Eagle Flight" is a "Legal Flight" they'll also include various forms, a pee cup, etc (kidding of course). 

As a pilot I'm honestly concerned about the declining population. Young Eagle flights bring smiles to everyone involved, BUT... the return on investment is difficult to measure, and the "sales cycle" is astronomically long (30-40 years?) before most people have enough disposable income to even consider becoming a pilot. Eagle Flights are a way to shorten the sales cycle (A LOT) and, at a minimum, improve our image with a demographic that includes voting privileges.

The EAA Eagle Flight Pilot Qualifications are:

• Pilot must be a current EAA member
• EAA members acting as participating pilots must hold an appropriate Airman’s Certificate (Sport Pilot or greater)
• Pilots must possess a current Medical Certificate (if applicable)
• Pilots must be current to carry passengers in the aircraft they plan to use
• Pilots must have a current Flight Review
• Aircraft Passenger Liability Insurance is required for the aircraft used (owned, rented, or borrowed) with a minimum of $100,000 per seat liability insurance. If a rented aircraft is being used, it is essential that the volunteer pilot maintain a renter’s (or non‐owned) insurance policy.
• The Eagle Flights registration form must be completed before the flight and remain on the ground during the flight
• The aircraft used for the flight must be in airworthy condition
• Flights must adhere to all applicable Federal Air Rules (FARs)
• Pilot must meet the current Federal Air Rules (FARs) for the pilot certificate held.

Eagle Flights Links:

FAQs

Insurance Coverage

Become a Mentor

Pilot Guidelines

Note: Sennheiser is currently listed a program sponsor, but they're pulling out of the "Pilot's Headset Business" so I suspect they'll find a different way to entice pilots to fly for the program.  

Darrin Dexheimer

Young Eagles Coordinator