Young Eagles Updates From HQ

As the final few weeks of 2025 melt away, I’d like to take a moment to express my unwavering gratitude to all of you fantastic Young Eagles volunteers. I continue to be amazed by the dedication and passion that you pour into Young Eagles. I hope you take some time this holiday season to reflect on your aviation journey and recall the tens of thousands of youths we have impacted through Young Eagles in 2025. You are making a difference in the future of aviation, and it continues to show through the success stories we receive daily.

Looking forward to 2026, I hope you will join me on Mission 2.5 — the push to reach 2.5 million Young Eagles flown by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. To encourage new pilot participation, and additional chapter Young Eagles events, we are launching the first-time pilot incentive program. For every first-time Young Eagles pilot associated with a specific chapter, that chapter will earn an additional $25 in Young Eagles credits. This incentive will run January 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026.

As a reminder, any pilot that flies 25 Young Eagles from October 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, will earn a commemorative Mission 2.5 hat, courtesy of Sporty’s.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to reminder you of the EAA holiday shutdown. As a way to allow EAA staff to rest and recharge, the EAA offices will be closed December 24 through January 4.

I am looking forward to a strong beginning of 2026 as we continue inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

Tailwinds,

David Leiting, EAA Lifetime 579157

Eagles Program Manager