Since 1992, close to 1.5 million Young Eagles' rides have been given by thousands of EAA volunteers. What happened to these Young Eagles? We know about those who entered the aviation industry in one fashion or another, but what about those who did not? Who are they? Where are they? Why didn't they continue in aviation? Let's engage our young people further into aviation. It is time for The Next Step, a program that will move Young Eagles from the right seat to the left seat.

How many parents know their child may take flying lessons at any age? How many know their child may solo an airplane at just 16 years of age, and a glider at 14? How many parents even know what it means to solo? And, how many parents understand the lifetime opportunities that open up for their children through a passion for flight?

This is what The Next Step program is all about. An interest in aviation that often developed naturally from curiosity has been thwarted by the fences and locked doors at airports today. What happened to the airport viewing area and the 15-minute airplane ride?

"Hey dad, can we go to the airport?"
"Would your son like to come up to visit the cockpit?"
"Would your daughter like to go for a ride around the patch?"

These are questions we hear no longer; instead we have security fences that lock our youth out of aviation. We in the aviation community have identified these problems; now it is time to act.

The final piece to advance more Young Eagles into participation in aviation is in place: it is Sporty's Complete Private Pilot Training Course. Our online course will greet Young Eagles at the completion of their first flight, and guide them through to their pilot certificates. Our course guarantees the student will pass the written, oral, and flight tests. Yes, all three. With mentoring by EAA members and Chapters, getting youth through their written examination, and beyond, should be a slam dunk. And, Sporty's is giving its online course to the Young Eagles absolutely free.

The first half of the online course is the Recreational Course. Sporty's is offering this course as the first goal as youth will be able to accomplish it faster. Once that goal is achieved, we will unlock the second course, the Recreational to Private Transition Course, for them to complete online. With Sporty'sComplete Flight Training Course, these Young Eagles will be off to a great start to work with instructors and designated pilot examiners throughout the country. Additionally, Sporty's will provide Young Eagles with their first logbook.

Withthe written exam passed, the door is then open to buy existing, lower-priced used aircraft-such as a quality Cessna 150/152 or any number of other classic aircraft starting as low as $20,000-a price range that should attract these new pilots.

About 15 years ago, I was speaking with John Odegard, who at that time ran the University of North Dakota's Aviation Department. He told me that only about half of his students went directly into aviation. The other half gravitated back into aviation in later years. John passed away from cancer as a young man, and the University has named its school of aviation for him. He was quite a guy and opened my eyes to this phenomenon of people gravitating back to aviation…The Next Step is the same philosophy, but for pre-college kids.

Let's get started now, if not yesterday. EAA members and Chapters have the enthusiasm, the spirit of aviation. Young Eagles are available. The Boy Scouts are interested because they have an Aviation merit badge and an Aviation Exploring program. Sporty's courses are already online, and a full-time EAA employee will administer the program and answer questions. But this program can only work with the help of everyone involved with EAA, and specifically you. Let's take The Next Step together!

To learn more about getting involved with The Next Step, visit www.YoungEagles.org/TheNextStep