Dodo Chapter Honored for Young Eagles Efforts

November 27, 2013 - The Chicago "DODO" Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen was honored recently for its efforts on behalf of the EAA Young Eagles program. The chapter's Young Eagle Volunteer Team, which provides flights to young people ages 8-17 from the Gary International Airport, was inducted into the Northwest Indiana Society of Innovators on October 17. The group was also honored with the Chanute Prize for team innovation. The honors are sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College Northwest.

Volunteer EAA pilots donate their time, aircraft, and fuel to give free introduction to aviation to these young people. Over the years the DODO Chapter has gone above and beyond in their support of the program, flying more than 3,300 young people from the Gary Airport over the past 10 years, and more than 14,000 since the program began in 1992. The group formerly flew out of Chicago's Meigs Field.

"We are pleased that our long relationship with the Tuskegee DODO chapter has introduced so many young people to aviation," said Brian O'Lena, EAA manager of Young Eagles and youth pathways. "It has been an honor to be associated with the DODO chapter as we work together to inspire the next generation of aviators."