Young people will get an opportunity to fly at Wings Wheels & Rotors on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Experimental Aircraft Association sponsors the flights. Two local chapters will provide pilots and airplanes to take kids on flights during the event.
More than 260 enthusiastic young aviators waited their turn to experience the thrill of flying at the EAA Young Eagles flight area at the Eleventh Annual Los Alamitos Wings, Wheels & Rotors Expo in 2012.
EAA’s objective is to provide young people the opportunity to fly in a general aviation airplane. The success of the EAA program is due to the many pilots who volunteer their time to encourage an interest in aviation among youth.
Twelve-year-old-Lauren Stewart flew with pilot Ron Allen in his colorful gold and blue 1946 Ercoup, while her dad, Keith, waited on the sidelines.
The EAA Young Eagles were launched in 1992 to give interested young people, ages 8-17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These are Cessna’s and other light aircraft.
All participants must have parental approval and everyone will need a signed authorization to fly.
These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. The Young Eagles will be available on the flightline at Los Alamitos Army Airfield on the Joint Forces Training Base. The gates open at 9 a.m. and flights will continue until 4 p.m.
Flights will last around 15-20 minutes. Youngsters will be briefed by the pilots, shown around the aircraft, help buckle seat belts and describe the airplane and other details.
They are encouraged to ask a lot of questions. The pilots will be happy to tell them more about flying and their particular airplane. Everyone will receive an official Young Eagles logbook, which will be signed by the pilot.
This is for those youth interested in aviation or flying and is intended as an introduction to the exciting world of aviation while at the same time attending a fun and interesting outdoor event.
For additional details about the Young Eagles, see their website at www.YoungEagles.org. Wings, Wheels, Rotors & Expo is sponsored by the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce and the California
National Guards Joint Forces Training Base.
For more information about Wings Wheels & Rotors 2013, see the web site: WWRExpo.net. The Chamber may also be contacted at 562-598-6659.
The Los Alamitos AAF at the Joint Forces Training Base and is located at 11200 Lexington Drive, Los Alamitos. There is free parking and free admission. A photo identification is required to enter the base.
All participants need approval from their parents in order to fly with the Young Eagles.
This year marks the 12th year of Wings, Wheels, Rotors & Expo. More than 40,000 visitors are expected to converge on the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
It’s estimated more than that attended last year’s event.
The event has grown to include hundreds of cars, planes, helicopters and military vehicles. Hundreds of vendors also bring a variety of goods and food while entertainment is abundant all throughout the day. Visitors will get an up close view of various types of aircraft and even see the inside of a jumbo military C-17 cargo plane. There will plenty of interactive events, as well. There will also be helicopter rides available for a small fee.
The Kids Corner returns with activities and crafts for youths. Marching bands will parade through the event and continual entertainment will be offered at the stage area throughout the day. The objective of the event is to help military families by raising money for those in need. Last year, the event earned $22,000 for the base Morale Welfare Recreation Fund for troops and families who work at the base.
Hundreds of volunteers plan the event, almost year round to keep this event alive and growing each year while thousands of volunteer hours are required just to staff the event for the day. Students from Los Alamitos High can be found volunteering at the Kids Corner booth and others will be on hand to assist with whatever tasks need to be done.
