Youth programs

Chapter 1268 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is the driving force behind the youth activities at Sonoma Skypark. Chartered in 1992, Chapter 1268 has more than 60 members, many of whom volunteer their time to participate in Young Eagles, weekly BBQs, and annual Family Fun Days, which raise funds to send kids to the Air Academy summer camp in Oshkosh, WI, and for our flight-training scholarship program.

youth

Young Eagles

Launched in 1992, the mission of the Young Eagles program is to introduce young people to the world of aviation. The EAA’s network of more than 50,000 volunteer pilots have given over 2 million kids, ages 8–17, their first free ride in a general aviation airplane.

EAA Chapter 1268 offers these free Young Eagles rides at Sonoma Skypark every month on the second Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., weather permitting.

Young Eagle candidates should be accompanied by a parent or adult who can authorize the ride. Call the Sonoma Skypark office at 707.996.2100 for more information, and visit the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles site to learn more about this wonderful program.

young eagle at the controls of a small aircraft

youth

Air Academy

Each year, EAA Chapter 1268 sponsors several scholarships to week-long Air Academy camps at the EAA lodge in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Experienced aviation instructors help campers delve into the world of aviation through classroom work, hands-on demonstrations, flight simulation, and other exciting activities.

Chapter 1268 gets a scholarship credit from EAA for each Young Eagles flight made by our volunteer pilots, with the rest of the funds coming from the proceeds of our Saturday BBQs and annual Family Fun Day.

Download the application; deadline for submission is January 31. For more information, please contact Darrel Jones, or visit the Air Academy site.

scholarship recipient holding up her log book after her solo

youth

Flight training scholarships

The cost of earning a private pilot certification currently runs about $15,000. EAA Chapter 1268, in conjunction with the Ray Scholarship Foundation, are pleased to offer a combined $10,000 in scholarships for youth private-pilot flight training.

Applications open November 1.