10/21/2026
✈️🦅 That's a wrap on EAA Chapter 91's 2026 Young Eagles season!
What an incredible year it's been! 365 kids were flown this year by our volunteer pilots at events in Lee's Summit, MO, Columbia, MO and Ottawa, KS. That's 365 opportunities to experience the wonder of flight with a young person. Countless memories made!
Thanks to the generosity of our volunteer pilots, young people had the opportunity to take to the skies and experience the excitement of general aviation firsthand. For many, it was their very first flight in a small airplane — an experience we hope will spark a lifelong love of aviation.
We couldn't have asked for a better way to close out the season! Last Saturday brought nearly perfect flying weather, with beautiful skies and wonderful conditions for pilots and passengers alike. It was a fitting end to a year filled with excitement, smiles, and unforgettable moments.
To our volunteer pilots: Thank you for sharing your aircraft, your time, and your passion for flying. Your generosity makes these experiences possible.
To our ground volunteers: Thank you for the countless hours spent organizing, coordinating, and keeping our events running smoothly and safely. We couldn't do it without you!
🌟 A very special shout-out to our Young Eagles Coordinator Chris St. Germain! Behind every successful event are countless hours of planning, organizing, communicating, and handling all the little details that most people never see. Long before the first airplane takes off and well after the last one lands, Chris is hard at work making sure everything comes together. It's a tremendous commitment of time and energy, often behind the scenes, and one that deserves special recognition. Thank you for your dedication, patience, and tireless efforts to make these events such a success. We truly couldn't do these events without you!
And to the kids and families who joined us: Thank you for letting us share the magic of flight with you. Seeing the excitement on a young person's face after their first flight reminds us why we do this.
EAA's Young Eagles program is about more than an airplane ride. It's about opening doors, inspiring dreams, and showing the next generation that the sky really isn't the limit.
From all of us at EAA Chapter 91, thank you for making 2026 such a memorable year. We look forward to welcoming even more young aviators aboard in 2027!
💙 Blue skies and tailwinds to all!
All photos by Bruce Hood are used with permission
