Local children were able to get a new perspective of their community and learn about aviation at the Young Eagles Free Flights day on Saturday, July 8 at Hanley Field.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for a lot of these young kids,” Young Eagles Coordinator Bruce Finn said.

Over 100 parents from 8 to 17 years of age and kids were there to learn about the six planes that took the kids from Hanley Field and around the Lake Superior shoreline. For many, it was their first time in a plane of any kind.

Jocelyn Mendoza, Joey Mendoza and Remle Wright were the first three children to go up in a plane.

“It was scary at first, but it turned out to be fun,” Jocelyn said.

Six pilots from around the upper Midwest joined in on the event, which was provided by the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA). The EAA has a local chapter based out KI Sawyer Airport in Marquette County. Young Eagles, a program designed to get youth involved in all aspects of aviation, are available at various airports in the region.

Additional resources are available to do online learning for private pilots licenses if they stick with it. Children were given their own logbook with a registration number that allows them to get that jump start, while also educating about other aviation-related opportunities in the future like aviation mechanics, engineering and education.

“They can start doing that at that young age and keep progressing until they feel ready to take that FAA test,” said Mathias Monger, the other co-organizer of the event. “It may be watching videos to start, but it can grow over time until they say ‘hey, I’m ready’.”

Further events will be available at KI Sawyer next month for any local kids that missed the flight opportunities.