Youth flight opportunities

There are several opportunities in the Teton Valley for young people to fly for free organized by the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter (1049) .

The first is the Young Eagles Free Flight Rally in June of each year. Launched in 1992, the EAA Young Eagles program has dedicated more than 25 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane. It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids into the world of aviation.

Today, more than 2 million young people around the world have enjoyed a free introductory flight through the Young Eagles program. These flights are made possible because of the generosity of EAA member volunteer pilots & their aircraft.

This special summer event offered to young people has been a tremendous success. In the last 20+ years, over 100 kids yearly have had this special opportunity to experience flight over our `magic` valley. This inspirational experience has directed many in an aviation-related direction after high school graduation.

The second way young folks can get into the sky is the `Blake Chapman Young Eagles Flight Scholarship`. The scholarship provides funding (up to $9,000) for a high school junior or senior from Teton Valley, Idaho, to earn their Private Pilot Certificate. This amazing opportunity can not only set them up on an incredible career path but also allow them to develop a sense of self-confidence and maturity that will carry them far in life. The flight training is conducted at our local flight school (Teton Aviation) at the Driggs Airport during the summer months.

The student begins with both one on one and small group instruction in the classroom and then in the airplane. Their first major milestone in training is the first solo flight and this becomes a defining moment in every pilot’s life. After this preliminary training, the flight instructor will step out of the plane and the student becomes the `pilot in command` as they taxi out for their first takeoff and landing all by themselves. It is an incredible feeling of achievement that our scholarship winners are very fortunate to experience. What a confidence builder!

Generally, due to the annual nonprofit contributions to the Community Foundation of Teton Valley, only one to two scholarships are available to the lucky recipients.

Over 40 Flight Scholarships have been Awarded!

The third opportunity is new this year, Balloon rides. Elevated Ballooning has donated a couple of balloon rides available for Teton Valley families. In the spring there will be a youth-focused competition allowing Teton Valley residents to win these rides.

See you in the sky,

Jim Jackson

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