Casper-(KCWY) It’s not just about providing a kid their first flying experience, but in the back of most of these pilots’ minds they hope these kids are the next generation taking to the skies.
"20 years ago the Experimental Aircraft Association decided that airports had become too restrictive for young kids to come out and see what the aviation industry is like,” said Mark Mcatee a flight instructor.
So pilots at Natrona County’s international airport decided they were going to help by bringing kids into the cockpit and up into the air.
"It wasn't at all what I expected it was a lot more fun,” said Bailey Schieck from Casper.
"I had a young girl many years ago that I took flying and I let her fly the airplane and it was amazing, her confidence level jumped up,” said David Calar the Experimental Aircraft Association Casper chapter president.
The consensus, many were nervous before their flight, but afterward their nerves seemed to be completely left in the wind.
"I was nervous before and then on the plane, but after I was done I thought it was really fun,” said Jessica Jolovich from Sheridan.
"It was just a lot of I thought it was going to be really scary, but it was just a lot of fun there were no doubts and when we were flying I just wasn't scared at all,” said Schieck.
" I haven't seen one kid who was scared after they were done they were all excited and wanna come back and do it again next year,” said Sherry Neibauer a parent of a participant.
That is exactly what event organizers want to hear.
"I've met kids that have come back 20 years ago they got a ride at a Young Eagles event and now they are actually captains flying commercial,” said Calar.
"It’s a new experience for them. One of my children hasn’t even been on a plane before, so to fly in a littler plane like this is even more exciting,” said Neibauer.
Story, video and photo: http://www.kcwy13.com
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