Young Eagles Meet at Santa Ynez
Airport
A group of “Young
Eagles” gathered under overcast skies last Saturday, May 12 at Santa
Ynez Airport. Under the guidance of
the Experimental Aircraft Association local chapter, 491 member volunteers a
group of several dozen youngsters from the Valley and surrounding areas took
part in an ongoing national program to introduce those under the age of 18 to
aviation by providing free rides.
Local pilot and flying couple Lloyd and Sharon Sorensen assisted
in the administration of the event with Santa Barbara EAA member Roger
Waldron. Lloyd also exhibited and
flew his classic Cessna 140.
The morning started out with pilot Les Clark explaining to the
assembled crowd of kids and parents the program and how safety was the first
order of the day when approaching the subject of aviation.
On display were several aircraft including Les Clark’s
Long-EZ canard pusher experimental, an experimental Light Sport Titan Tornado,
Lloyd Sorensen’s Cessna, and a Classic Aeronca taildragger.
Davis Tisdale, 10 of
EAA volunteers Vern Hanna, a retired
Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve and
In one of those transitional moments that are not always seen at
bigger and busier airports, James Kunkle, 85, a current
local pilot and former WW II P-38 pilot watched as this group of “young
eagles” got their first real experience in that wondrous world of flying
that he’s been part of for more than seven decades.
By 10:30am the overcast began to clear and all the kids who
desired it were provided with rides in both classic and modern aircraft. A hot
dog lunch was served under clear skies for the crowd of almost 100 participants.