OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The two millionth “Young Eagle” took to the sky and she did so with star power.
Volunteers take kids ages 8 to 17 on general aviation flights.
Harrison Ford himself piloted the plane.
The actor has been a long-time supporter of EAA’s Young Eagles Program and is glad for the chance to volunteer.
“This particular flight I’ll remember for a long time”
16-year-old Jodie Gawthrop was that Young Eagle. She said she won’t soon forget the flight either.
“Really amazing to meet someone like Harrison or meet a whole community of people here at the air show that share that passion for aviation. You can tell he’s really enthusiastic, really passionate, and it was just amazing to see the air show from that perspective”
Volunteers across 90 countries have kept it in flight since 1992.
As a former Young Eagles Chairman, Ford certainly has passion for this program.
“A huge group of dedicated pilots who come together, donate their time, the use of their airplanes, to introduce young people to aviation”
Ford says America is lagging behind other countries in training pilots, particularly commercial airline pilots.
“Aviation’s been very important to the history of this country and I’d like to see if continue to have the support that it, that it deserves”
Gawthrop says she’s definitely putting her support behind the aviation industry.
She’s aiming to get her private pilot’s license soon.
“I’m hoping to get my solo done, get my license and eventually see where that takes me career-wise. I’m looking to serve my country in some capacity, hopefully through the military”
Ford was the chairman of the Young Eagles from 2004 to 2009. He’s flown 300 times for the program.
