Free flights given in Polson
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POLSON – Youngsters ages 8 to 17 interested in planes, aviation and adventure came out to the Polson airport on Saturday, June 11 to receive a free plane ride during the annual Young Eagle Program. Each year, members of Lake County’s Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) provide a pancake breakfast for community members and free, 20-minute flights for youngsters over Finley Point, the city of Polson, and Kerr Dam.
Four planes and four local licensed, insured pilots accommodated students who came out for the annual event. EAA paid for the fuel, while the pilots donated all other expenses.
“The reason we do this is because it introduces people to small airplanes,” pilot Chuck Jarecki said. “We want young people to get enthused about flying.”
Jarecki has been flying out of Polson airport for more than 50 years, and says he’s still very passionate about flying and opening the eyes of children to future careers or hobbies related to aviation.
For experienced young flyers Michael Vergeront and Andrew Hanson, who generally go up in small planes a few times a year, the flight was a great way to see the surrounding areas.
“I liked flying over Kerr Dam,” Vergeront said. “It was cool to see all the water flowing out.”
“The river rapids were really cool,” Hanson added.
Polson’s Young Eagle event is held on the same weekend every year. This year, in addition to the Polson program, two more Young Eagle events have been planned in conjunction with Pioneer Days in Ronan and Good Old Days in St. Ignatius.
In addition to providing free flights through chapters across the country, Eagle programs further knowledge and interest in the field through scholarships, internships, and Air Academy Camps for children ages 12-18.
For more information on the program visit www.youngeagles.org.
