Young Eagles Online Registration Updates — Digital Signatures

EAA chapters and Young Eagles volunteers who have been using the EAA Chapter Events online registration tool over the past six months are well aware of the challenges the system has faced. This has been especially disappointing given the long-awaited enhancements introduced in the spring, including registration-radius restrictions, first-time flier preferences, and several other improvements.

EAA Digital Signature App Sync Errors

In May, the EAA Digital Signature iPad app began experiencing intermittent outages. When synced with the online registration tool (EAAChapters.org), 2-3% of waivers were not transferring correctly. In some cases, the waiver did not appear on the event dashboard; in others, it never reached the EAA database.

Because a waiver is required for every Young Eagles flight, EAA made the decision to pause all digital signature processes until a reliable, long-term solution can be implemented. As of early September, chapters should continue using printed waivers from the website and fully discontinue use of the iPad app.

Online Registration Performance Issues

Shortly after the iPad issues surfaced, the online registration tool began experiencing major performance failures on the busiest Saturdays of the year. Throughout May and June, heavy traffic and event activity caused the system to freeze completely, halting youth check-in, pilot assignment, and certificate printing.

The EAA IT team implemented several short-term adjustments to keep the system operational during peak days, though performance remained sluggish.

System Review

Following an in-depth review, EAA has made the decision to fully refactor the digital signature process and implement significant improvements to the backend code of the online registration system.

The review also identified several outdated supporting applications and software components that the tool relies on. These services must be updated before additional enhancements can be considered.

This project began in late August and will continue through the fall and winter months. The initial phase focuses on updating supporting systems to current versions and outlining major changes to the registration platform.

As specific updates take shape, the volunteer network will be the first to receive information about new features, timelines, and any changes to existing processes. EAA will also work closely with the Chapter Advisory Council to ensure updates are field-tested and volunteer-approved.

Event Operations

The EAA Digital Signature app will remain offline throughout the entire project. Chapters must pre-print waivers from the Check-In/Print tab.

Printed Waiver Instructions

1. Go to Check In/Print.
2. Select Check All Names.
3. At the bottom, choose Format to Print → Waiver Form.
4. Click Create PDF Form.
5. Click View Document.
6. Print using your computer's settings.
7. Waiver must be signed by the parent/legal guardian and the volunteer pilot prior to the Young Eagles flight.
8. Mail completed waivers to:
   EAA Young Eagles
   PO Box 2683
   Oshkosh, WI 54903-2683

All other online registration processes remain unchanged. Chapters can continue assigning flights, printing certificates, sending emails, and managing events as usual. The only adjustment is how signatures are collected.

Rallies should operate very similarly to how they did in the original YEDay system prior to the introduction of the iPad app in fall 2021. Flights can still be assigned in real time, certificates can be printed immediately, and the overall workflow remains familiar.

EAA deeply regrets having to take these steps. After eight years of building up the online registration tool and digital signature app, this regression is incredibly disappointing. However, the refactored digital signature process, improvements to the base platform, and updates to supporting systems will ultimately lead to a more reliable event-execution process and create a foundation for future enhancements.

Please reach out with any comments or questions at youngeagles@eaa.org.