Young Eagles Program
What is EAA Young Eagles?
Young Eagles is a program created by the US Experimental Aircraft Association designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating children about aviation. This program is offered free of charge with donations and volunteers. The program was launched in 1992 and, by fall of 2009, has flown more than 1.5 million children in 90 countries. The program’s presenting sponsor are Phillips 66 and Sporty’s Pilot Shop.
The mission of the EAA Young Eagles Program is to provide a meaningful flight experience – free of charge – in a general aviation aircraft for young people (primarily between the ages of 8 and 17). Flights are provided by EAA members world wide.
Since 1992, more than 1.6 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight through the program. Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 different countries and have been flown by more than 42,000 volunteer pilots.
Step 1: Young Eagles Flight
Free first flight to start your aviation journey.
Ever wondered what your neighborhood looks like from the sky? Or maybe you’re curious how airplanes even work.
You might even dream about being a pilot.
If you’re shaking you’re head “yes” and are between the ages of 8 and 17, then there are thousands of EAA member volunteer pilots who would love to take you on a free Young Eagles flight.
That’s right - a free flight !
So whats a Young Eagles Flight like?
For you to activate your EAA Student Membership. Don’t have the log book or access code? Just answer a few questions and you can still sign up for your free benefits
Student membership is full of exciting opportunities just for you — EAA Sport Aviation Magazine Online, E-newsletters, Members-Only Website, Academy of Model Aeronautics Student Membership, Free Admission to 300+ Science and Technology Museums and more.
What are the age requirements?
The free EAA Student Membership is open to current and past Young Eagles ages 8 to 19.
OK, I signed up. Now what?
You will receive a student membership package which includes your membership card which is valid until your 19th birthday. If you also accepted the AMA membership, you will receive a separate membership card from AMA. These cards should arrive in three to four weeks.
What’s included with my membership?
1: EAA Sport Aviation Magazine Online.
Your member magazine is filled with all-things aviation. You’ll find news, inventions, innovations, advice, stories, and every airplane under the sun.2: E-newsletters.
You can choose from nine specialty e-newsletters covering many aviation topics. Can’t choose just one? Subscribe to them all!3: Members-Only Website.
Stay connected at EAA’s online aviation community, Oshkosh365. The networking site has discussion boards, news feeds, aviation weather, webinars, the world’s largest aviation calendar, and online library of Sport Aviation magazines.4: Academy of Model Aeronautics Student Membership.
As an EAA Student Member, you are entitled to a free student membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). AMA membership can help you get involved in all, forms of aircraft modeling from R/C (radio-controlled) to free flight and control-line flying. Plus, take advantage of discounts on R/C products, supplies and more!5: Scholarships.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for your aviation education? No problem—there’s more than $300,000 in scholarships available to Student Members for college, EAA Air Academy, and flight training.6: Free Admission to 300+ Science and Technology Museums.
Not only to you get free admission to EAA’s world-class aviation museum in Oshkosh, WI, you also get free admission to more than 300 science and technology museums throughout the world.7: Discounts.
You get discounted admission to AirVenture, EAA SportAir Workshops, and other EAA programs and events. Plus, you get discounts on clothing, books, and more!
Step 3: Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
It’s time to move from the right seat to the left seat. EAA and Sporty’s Pilot Shop have teamed up to offer you the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course – a $249 value – offered for free!
This online course is designed to take you all the way through the process of passing the FAA written exams to taking your first flight lesson. It’s a great way to begin your aviation journey!
Why use Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course?
See real-world video: Sporty’s puts you in the cockpit for a “pilot’s-eye-view” of everything you’ll see during your flight lessons.
It’s a complete course: The course focuses on learning to fly, not just memorizing test questions. The course is so complete that the FAA accepted it for use in approved flight schools.
Provides a personalized training experience: Learn on your schedule, at your own pace. Skip ahead or review segments several times over.
Includes the written test endorsement: You get the necessary signoff to take the private pilot written test—automatically. No instructor needed.
EAA will reimburse you when you pass your FAA written exam! ($150 value)
It there an age requirement? The course is recommended for people ages 13 and up.
How do I sign up? If you received a logbook from your Young Eagles pilot, it’s time to pull it out. Inside, you’ll find an access code for your free EAA student membership. Once you sign up, simply register for Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course at the same time.
Sporty’s will e-mail you directly with your username and password. If you are already an EAA student member and need access, just call 800-843-3612 and we’ll get you started!
What if I don’t have an access code? You can register for your free EAA student membership even if you didn’t receive an access code from your pilot. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your flight so we can verify your status.
When can I begin my course? Sporty’s will send you an email with your username and password. Once you receive that you can begin the course. It may take 2 to 3 business days before you receive your email from Sporty’s; if you still haven’t received an email, remember to check your spam folder.
How is the course set up? Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course lets you decide which pilot certificate works best for you—Sport, Recreational or Private. After you complete the first three volumes of the course, you’ll receive a Free First Flight Lesson, and EAA will reimburse the cost of the FAA Written Test.
Step 4: Your First Flight Lesson
After completing the first three volumes of the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, you’ll qualify for a free first flight lesson at a flight school of your choice ($120 value). This step is easy—EAA will contact you as soon as you qualify for your free lesson!
How do I qualify?
To be eligible for the free flight lesson, you must have flown as a Young Eagle, completed the first three volumes of the Sporty’s course, and be at least 13 years of age.
OK, so I qualify, now what?
We will email you a form for your parents to sign. Once EAA receives the completed form, we will send you a flight lesson voucher with instructions on how to redeem it.
How do I find a flight school?
You can use Google to search for flight schools in your area.
Is there an age requirement for my flight lesson?
Yes, you must be between the ages of 13 and 19.
Can I give my voucher certificate to someone else?
No. The voucher is only valid for the Young Eagle listed on the voucher certificate.
What should I do after my first flight lesson?
We encourage you to sign up for more flight lessons and work towards earning a pilot certificate!
Step 5: Flight Training Scholarships
Find ways to support your aviation journey.
Because you’re an EAA Student Member, you have access to flight training and college scholarships through EAA! These scholarships are underwritten by donors who want to help you achieve your dream and become a pilot.
In addition to our flight training and Air Academy scholarships our annual college scholarships help outstanding students, who demonstrate financial need, to accomplish their aviation goals.
See the full list of EAA scholarships.
How can I apply?
Click here to see a full list of EAA scholarships you can apply for now.
I want to learn to fly, what do you have for me?
Once you complete the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, you’re eligible to apply for EAA scholarships. The Gathering of Eagles and Harrison Ford scholarships are designed to help young people achieve their dreams of flight. That’s why we award $1,500 flight awards to attend a qualified flight school of your choice.
In addition to flight the awards, several scholarships in the amount of $7,500 are available to help you earn a private pilot certificate at a qualified flight school of your choice.