EAA

A special, free opportunity for young people interested in aviation takes place this Saturday at the Genesee County Airport in Batavia. That's when the Young Eagle Rally will be held to give those ages 8 to 17 a chance to experience flight and learn about what's involved.

Advance registration is requested and pre-registered kids will have priority. Registration is online at <www.EAA46.org> or <www.EAA44.org>. Click on the Young Eagle link to register. After doing so, the registrant will be sent a scheduled time to report to the airport via return e-mail.

The number of participating pilots is limited, so register ASAP.

A parent or guardian must accompany all Young Eagles, who will receive a short safety briefing before their flight. But parents do not fly with their kids. Most planes being used will be "general aviation aircraft" with only two or three seats. Flights will start at 8 a.m.

The weather forecast is sunny and in the 70s.

The rally is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association and its chapters in Buffalo and Rochester. It is intended to interest young people in aviation. Pilots will talk about their aircraft, how airplanes work and the prime importance of safety at all times.

This program began in 1992 and since then pilots have flown more than 1.5 million youngsters in more than 90 countries.

"We have people who were once Young Eagles and now are pilots taking young people on flights," said pilot Norm Isler, president of the EEA's Rochester chapter.

He himself has flown between 35-40 Young Eagles and says they often are a little nervous at first.

"But then it's like 'Wow!'" Isler said. "They are excited about it. ... We want to develop the next generation of aviators and encourage them to learn the math and science that goes along with it."

Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making him or her an official Young Eagle and their names will be entered into the "World's Largest Logbook," which is on permament display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisc., or on the web at <www.youngeagles.org>.

For more information, call Bill King, president of the Buffalo chapter, at (716) 662-1083, or Isler, of the Rochester chapter, at (585) 638-7369.