Anyone want to help us take Young Eagles?

Diana

Final Approach
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Diana
For you pilots who are near southwest Missouri, we could use some help taking Young Eagles this year. We have 80 eager kids waiting for an airplane ride. These kids will have all completed reading all 20 books in this year's Mark Twain Reading Program, and an airplane ride is part of their reward for reading all the books and making book reports. We combine this with the Young Eagles Program and it works out really well. These are 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Before we started taking these kids flying as a reward, the librarian said only about 10 or 15 kids would read all the books each year. Now that the kids know they will get to fly, she has at least 80 complete the reading program every year. Every one of the kids also sends us a thank-you note and their notes are priceless and often touching. I've posted some of them on the forums over the years. They are VERY appreciative.

We'll be taking them in April, maybe early May, and will do so during school hours. That makes it harder to find pilots to help us. Sometimes the local farmers who fly will help us, but only if they aren't busy in the fields at the time.

We have certain requirements for weather, so on occasion we have to postpone the flights on short notice. Flights will take place at Lamar, MO (KLLU). Free room and board at the farm is included if you travel here.

If anyone is interested, please let me know. This is a project that is near and dear to my heart, and taking these kids (they are really GOOD kids) is a joy and a delight. :)
 
Keep us updated Diana, might be worth taking a day off work...
 
With a single seat airplane I can't help with the rides, but I will fly over and help keep the little rascals out of harms way. I will also donate $100.00 towards the fuel bill for those pilots flying. Just keep me up to date on when and where.
 
Hmm--I'll think about it Diana--but with it being so close to Gastons I probably can't. $100 / hr rental airplanes add up *FAST*.
 
With a single seat airplane I can't help with the rides, but I will fly over and help keep the little rascals out of harms way. I will also donate $100.00 towards the fuel bill for those pilots flying. Just keep me up to date on when and where.
Gosh, Dean, that is really generous of you! How sweet! :yes: But, I can't take any money...how about if you save it up for a flight to Gaston's?

Hmm--I'll think about it Diana--but with it being so close to Gastons I probably can't. $100 / hr rental airplanes add up *FAST*.
Jesse, it's so far for you. Plus, you need to save it up for Gaston's, as well (not to mention saving up for that airplane you're going to buy someday). :) Besides, you do a LOT of ride-giving at Gaston's. :)

You guys are wonderful. :yes:
 
Diana,

I have no idea what my schedule will be like then but, if I can, I will.

You have to promise to run all the cropdusters off the field first though! :)
 
I have no idea what my schedule will be like then but, if I can, I will.
Great! :)
You have to promise to run all the cropdusters off the field first though! :)
We'll see what we can do. I think they'll be more wary of you next time. ;)

Well, I'll ask Viveca if she wants/needs a vacation around then.

Joe
I was wondering if you planned to come back this way any time soon. We'll try to keep the tornado warnings to a minimum while you're here next time. ;)
 
I was wondering if you planned to come back this way any time soon. We'll try to keep the tornado warnings to a minimum while you're here next time. ;)
I talked to her at dinner and she said that the last time was the best part of our trip and wants to go.

She starts a new job on Monday so it's not clear yet if she can get away.

Let us know as soon as you have a firm date.

Joe

ps. I enjoyed the time we spent in the closet. The tornadoes reminded me of growing up in Michigan.
 
I talked to her at dinner and she said that the last time was the best part of our trip and wants to go.
Really? We're flattered. :) It was wonderful having her here! She truly is a delightful person. If she comes in April or May, there are totally different wildflowers at our natural prairie that she would enjoy.

She starts a new job on Monday so it's not clear yet if she can get away.
We'd like to hear more about her new job sometime. :yes:

Let us know as soon as you have a firm date.
Will do. :) The problem is that our weather causes us to cancel fairly often, so it's hard to plan around it.

ps. I enjoyed the time we spent in the closet. The tornadoes reminded me of growing up in Michigan.
:D Well, we can see if we can muster up at least a severe storm while you're here. ;)
 
Diana,
I will check with the MPA group at our next meeting (March 10th) and see if any of them can help out. If I can't make the meeting I am sure Jim will do the announcement for you. You might send him a PM and ask.
 
Diana,
I will check with the MPA group at our next meeting (March 10th) and see if any of them can help out. If I can't make the meeting I am sure Jim will do the announcement for you. You might send him a PM and ask.

Thanks Dean. :)
 
Looks like we're covered now. We'll be taking the kids on April 6th and 7th, with rain dates of the 8th and 9th. So far there are four of us (including Barb) flying 172's and Kim may come down with her Bird Dog. Thanks to those of you who offered to help. :)
 
We had a beautiful day for taking kids flying yesterday. These were good kids! :yes:

We were fortunate to have Kim and Phil come down to help us out and they were not only helpful, but very much appreciated by all of us. The kids loved seeing the Bird Dog and enjoying hearing about it from Phil. Attached are pictures of a few kids who got to go flying with Kim.

Bill and Brenda Crissinger flew in after we were all done, but it was nice having them here anyway, even if Bill didn't take any kids. :)

We had four 172's and we all took a total of 35 kids. The school principal came out and visited for a while and one of the pilots took him flying too.

We had a variety of other traffic, including an ultralight and the constantly busy cropduster. Phil helped us keep track of the cropduster, who didn't have a radio.

We have 25 more kids to take, but I canceled today's flights d/t weather.

The group shot is in front of Barb's 172.
 

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Wow. Looks like a good time. I thought about coming down cause Lamar isnt that far from me, but the wx and winds wasnt that great up here near KC so I couldnt make it. Maybe next time.
 
Wow. Looks like a good time. I thought about coming down cause Lamar isnt that far from me, but the wx and winds wasnt that great up here near KC so I couldnt make it. Maybe next time.
Sorry you couldn't make it. I'll post when we know for sure when the next one will be. :)
 
How did you get Barb away from her cows???

Sorry I lost track of this thread. Unfortunately though, I couldn't have helped anyway, my plane's in for annual.

Let me know when the next event is, I haven't played with cropdusters lately, I miss it!:lol::hairraise:
 
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Man, that Kim is hot.
 
How did you get Barb away from her cows???
Well, it wasn't easy! :D They are calving right now and she doesn't like to be gone. She bought a new bull in Kansas, but it hasn't been delivered yet. She flew out to central Kansas for the auction a few weeks ago.

Sorry I lost track of this thread. Unfortunately though, I couldn't have helped anyway, my plane's in for annual.
I hope it is a simple one with no problems. Where are you getting it done?

Let me know when the next event is, I haven't played with cropdusters lately, I miss it!:lol::hairraise:
The same guy was there...your buddy. He never shut down while he was filling up. He had a radio, but it was broken and didn't work. Fortunately, Phil kept us informed on the handheld and we kept a watch out for him.
 
Diana i'd love to help but it is to far for me. BTW i do YE flights and have 154 kids flown in 5 years and will have more in May since that is our Special Needs Fly-in at KCXY (Capital City) in Harrisburg. Hope you get a bunch of pilots and I know you will have lots of FUN and so will the kids.
BTW if anyone wants to help with our Fly-in Email me ,it's Saturday May 2, we do it each year first saturday in May. And Thanks to all that will help us and Diana.
Dave G.
FLY SAFE AND ENJOY.:goofy:
 
I hope it is a simple one with no problems. Where are you getting it done?

Festus Flying Service @ KFES, Daymond Coleman, great guy, true gentleman, and he also owns a straight tail 182 so he knows my bird well.

No really major problems, new primer. overhaul oil cooler, MP pressure gage & tach, and I always try to do one upgrade...this year it's a fuel totalizer.

When I dropped my plane off for annual and we pulled the quick drain, we noticed that the oil cooler had cracked on THAT TRIP. Only lost about 1/2 quart. I should have gone out and bought a lottery ticket after that find!!
 
Julie (the middle school librarian) has at least 65 kids who read all their books this past year, so we will take them flying in late March or early April if anyone wants to help. :)

One of the regular pilots may not be able to help us this year because his son (one of our Young Eagles last year) is being treated for lymphoma in Kansas City. Kim, Phil Carroll was one of the pilots who went out to eat with us when you guys were here.
 
diana i think im free most weekends in late march and early april. keep us updated on dates.
 
Is it OK if the airplane is an experimental? If so, I can help this year.

Half the aircraft at EAA 301 (Colorado) Young Eagles are experimentals. It may be a local rule, tho.
 
Do you need a certain number of hours or such? Right now (barring scheduling by my better half :)), I'll be available, weekends or weekdays :). And I need to come see you anyhow! :)
 
Keep us posted. I might try to lure Tommy into an adventure. I think, if I told him he could help introduce kids to flying, he'd think it was cool.
 
Gosh, thanks for all the responses. :)

It would have to be on a weekday, so I know that would eliminate several of you. The school bus brings the kids to the airport and a few of the teachers (and sometimes the principal) come out to help with the kids.

If the IAR is airworthy I'll try to make it.
That would be great! If you decide to stay overnight, since it will be a long flight, you can stay at the farm. :)

Do you need a certain number of hours or such? Right now (barring scheduling by my better half :)), I'll be available, weekends or weekdays :). And I need to come see you anyhow! :)
Yes, you DO need to come up here. :yes: We would love to have you come help. The link that was posted pretty much covers the requirements, but I imagine that you qualify. :yes: Plus you have to be a member of EAA.

I take care of all the paperwork before and after and will send your thank-you notes that the kids will write you. They're really neat to read. These kids are VERY appreciate, and write some pretty interesting things sometimes. :D

Keep us posted. I might try to lure Tommy into an adventure. I think, if I told him he could help introduce kids to flying, he'd think it was cool.
Tommy would be quite good at that! But, it would have to be during school, so it might not work out for either one of you since it would be a weekday. Darn it.
 
We're scheduled to take the kids on Monday, April 5th and Tuesday, April 6th with Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as rain dates. Don't know about Kim or Barb yet. Shawn Nault from Kansas City will try to make it on Tuesday and possibly Monday.
 
We're scheduled to take the kids on Monday, April 5th and Tuesday, April 6th with Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as rain dates. Don't know about Kim or Barb yet. Shawn Nault from Kansas City will try to make it on Tuesday and possibly Monday.
Okay, it looks like Kim and Barb are both going to help take the kids flying now. It should be even more fun with those two ladies. :D
 
have fun Diana. I look forward to seeing the report!
 
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