Sporty's Teams with EAA on "Next Step" Program

You've no doubt heard of EAA's Young Eagles program where EAA members take young people for an airplane ride in the hope of interesting them in becoming pilots themselves. It's a very successful program, now having flown 1.5 million young people.

As successful as this program has been, though, once the young person took an airplane ride, there was no system in place for the motivated youth who wanted to pursue their interest in aviation further. In some cases, of course, EAA Chapter members could serve as mentors, but there was no formal program in place - until now.

Sporty's is financing a program called Next Step whose aim is to move young people from the right seat to the left seat. When Next Step is put in place, each Young Eagle will receive, at the conclusion of their flight experience, a regulation-style logbook to record the flight along with instructions on what to do next.

In this case, the "Next Step" is to register with EAA for an online password in order to access Sporty's online Recreational Pilot Course. The course will be made available for free to any Young Eagle, past or present, up to 17 years old.

In addition, these aspiring pilots will be mentored by EAA Chapter members. A full-time salaried position will be added at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to administer this program. Approximately 80,000 to 100,000 young people become Young Eagles each year.

Sporty's Founder and Chairman Hal Shevers said, "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? And how many parents understand the lifetime opportunities that open up for their children through a passion for flight?"

Sporty's online course is designed to provide more than just a start, and more than just ground school. "Our cours e guarantees that a motivated student will pass the written, oral and flight tests," adds Hal.

EAA's Chairman Tom Poberezny share's Hal's enthusiasm about the prospects for inspired Young Eagles to move forward. "This solid instructional program, combined with the encouragement and mentoring that these young people will receive from the GA community, will give Young Eagles a boost in fulfilling their aviation dreams."