The Bainbridge High School JROTC Cadets set a goal to help the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) pilots fly at least 100 students on Saturday at the Bainbridge Airport. Even though the goal was very challenging, the Tallahassee EAA Chapter 445 pilots flew 102 students!
EAA 445 Chapter President Danny Deason gets ready for his 5th flight of the day with students Christian Glover, Cheyenne Phillips and William Slaughter. Each flight was approximately 15 minutes and included an aerial view of the new high school.
It was the highest number of "Young Eagles" ever flown in one day by EAA 445 Chapter President Danny Deason and his fellow pilots. The previous high at Bainbridge was 62. Last year the EAA pilots flew 110 students in two days at the Bainbridge Airport.
"Young Eagle" is a project of the Experimental Aircraft Association to introduce young people to the world of aviation. Students, ages 8-17, are eligible to get these free orientation flights through one of the approximately 1,000 EAA Chapters around the United States.
Colonel Gary Breedlove stated that "the pilots of Chapter 445 do an outstanding job of offering these flights to students in the South Georgia and North Florida area. This was the fifth time they have come to Bainbridge which we referred to as BYE V (Bainbridge Young Eagle, 5th time). The pilots use their airplanes, their fuel, and their time to help students get their first experience in a light airplane. Last Saturday's 102 Young Eagles brought us to a total of over 400 students or cadets who have flown through flight orientations associated with our Junior ROTC program."
"In addition to the flying, the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution graciously provided refreshments for all our cadet workers and the other students who became Young Eagles, thanks to the efforts of Clayton Penhallegon, Neal Spooner, John Cunningham and others" Colonel Breedlove added.
"This is a significant cadet leadership and teamwork project. Cadet Tiffany Blocker did a splendid job as our project officer, along with about twenty cadets who helped with paperwork, processing, and getting students to and from the airplanes safely."
"We continue to be thankful for the strong support from Mr. Tommie Howell, Mr. Ralph Jones, and our school board for allowing us to provide this opportunity for our cadets and other students in Decatur County. Also, most of these pilots are 'return flyers' who appreciate the way we conduct the Young Eagle projects at Bainbridge. They include Scott Sutor, Marty Shingler, Lee Majors, Steve Balchuck, Kelley Phillips, Art Bruce, Bill Grow, and Chapter President Danny Deason. Plus, the guys at the airport, Jim Cerone and Tony Scott, were quick to help the pilots with anything they needed."
Two of the cadets' parents, April Bostwick and Robin Jones, made sure that refreshments were available throughout the day, especially for the pilots. Col. Breedlove stated, " In my opinion, it was a terrific day made possible by a terrific team effort."
