OSHKOSH, Wis. — The view over Pioneer Airport is a familiar sight for pilot Fred Stadler. As a Young Eagles volunteer, Stadler has taken many kids up for their first flying experience.
“I have two objectives when I fly with Young Eagles. I don't care if they know the difference between an aileron and an elevator," explained Stadler. “I want them to recognize that flying is fun, and I want them to recognize that it isn't that hard. They can do it.”
The program started over 30 years ago to give youth ages 8 to 17 their first free ride in an airplane. Since then, Young Eagles has provided over 2.3 million flights worldwide.
Volunteers provide daily flights during the summer months and select weekend opportunities during the spring and fall. October 8th marked the group’s last offering before they shut things down for the season.
On that day, a family of four from Canada paid a visit, and Stadler showed them the Young Eagles home-built GlaStar plane. He then took Hridhya and Harishanker Ananth Ganesh up in the air, one at a time, for their first-ever flight.
“As a pilot, you can only once in your lifetime, have a first flight. But as a Young Eagle pilot, you get to vicariously experience that same first flight through the eyes of kids," said Stadler.
It's a feeling he's experienced many times.
In his 25 years as a volunteer, Stadler has logged over 10,000 Young Eagles flights, the most by any pilot.
Once in the air, Stadler lets the passenger become the pilot.
“I got to fly a little, and it was very fun. It wasn’t that hard, but he taught me how to level it up, and he taught me when to go down and when to go up," said 11-year-old Hridhya Ananth Ganesh.
It's more than a joyride. Young Eagles gain flight experience that can be parlayed into something bigger.
“These are real log books, and if they ever decide to get a license, they’ve got two-tenths of an hour of flight instruction," said Stadler.
As a volunteer for 25 years, Stadler gives credit to the ground crew and support staff for his achievement.
“Fred was a great pilot. He answered most of my questions. I didn’t know what those meters were, so he answered what they were," said 13-year-old Harishanker Ananth Ganesh.
Since the program started, over 50,000 pilots have taken part. They hope to inspire the next generation of pilots, partly by showing them magnificent views from above.
“I saw so many beautiful farms that I didn’t know about. I would like to visit them," said Hridhya.
Young Eagles are eligible for one free flight every year.
“We want them to understand that aviation isn’t something that just happens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin but happens all over and there are opportunities for young people all over the country, said Stadler.
With 900 chapters worldwide, the Ganesh family may catch their next flight closer to home.
“It was fun, so I would definitely do that again,” said Hridhya.
Which is exactly what Stadler and the other Young Eagles volunteers want to hear.