Young Eagles Launches 30th Anniversary Celebration at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022

 

September, 2022 — 

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 was the perfect setting to kick off the yearlong celebration of the Young Eagles 30th anniversary.

Opening night of convention saw a special gathering of former Young Eagles at the Theater in the Woods. Each panel member was a byproduct of the Young Eagles program, and they have gone on to pursue some form of future in aviation — ranging from aircraft mechanics to airline pilots. Better yet, three of the former Young Eagles have gone on to participate as a volunteer pilot at local chapter rallies.

At the Tuesday evening awards dinners, five volunteer pilots were recognized for flying Young Eagles in all 30 years of the program’s existence. Jack Haggerty, Jer/ Eberhard, Red Hamilton, Doug Milius, and Dave Kolstad were awarded a commemorative Thirty Years of Flight plaque. Those who weren’t already Lifetime members were also gifted complimentary EAA Lifetime memberships.

On Thursday, a large gathering of Young Eagles volunteers and participants gathered on Boeing Plaza for a group photo opportunity. This gathering signaled the official kickoff of the 30th anniversary celebration. Jimmy Graham and Sean D. Tucker, Young Eagles co-chairmen, along with Leslie Poberezny, Young Eagle #1, were in attendance for the gathering.