Smoky Hill Experimental Aviation Association Chapter 1127 will not conduct its annual Young Eagles flights on the First Saturday in November this year due to COVID concerns.

“We just didn’t feel we could provide the level of safety we require for the kids during this pandemic” said president Dale Weinhold. “Sanitizing the aircraft between flights and maintaining proper distancing both in flight and on our ground activities, was our main concern.”

Smoky Hill EAA No. 1127 has provided Young Eagles flights for area youth since 1997.

“We have flown over 1,500 youth between the ages of 8 and 18 over the past 23 years,” Weinhold said. “Introducing youth to the world of flight is both fun for the pilots and the youth. Some are inspired and continue to explore their opportunities in that field.”

One of the Young Eagles who had his first flight at the age of 8 continued exploring aviation, by attending Kansas State Salina.

“That Young Eagle, Josh Choitz, is now a captain for a Delta Airlines branch and is based in Atlanta, Ga.”

Young Eagles is a program sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association, based in Oshkosh, Wisc. Questions can be answered on line at EAA.org.

“Hopefully this will all be behind us and we will again introducing young people to the world of flight in 2021,” Weinhold said.

Smoky Hill EAA No. 1127 is based at the Ellsworth Municipal Airport and membership is open to anyone interested in aviation. You do not have to be a pilot to belong. Contact any of the club members or attend a meeting at 2:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month at the Ellsworth Airport.