Young Eagles Program

Young Eagles was launched in 1992 by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and is dedicated to giving youth ages 8 through 17 their first free ride in an airplane. It’s the only program of its kind, with its sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. The Young Eagles program has flown over 2 million kids. If you have a child that is interested in aviation and a free airplane ride near the Raleigh/Durham Triangle region of North Carolina, fill out a YE Interest Response and we'll put you on the list and let you know when we have an upcoming Young Eagles rally. Also feel free to contact the Young Eagles Coordinator directly.

Young Eagles Rallies - in the NC Triangle Region

EAA Chapter 1114 has been flying kids for over 25 years and was honored by the national EAA leadership as one of the top 25 Chapters for Young Eagles flights. With over 17,000 kids flown, Chapter 1114 is ranked the number two chapter in the world!

Rick Mestler is the Young Eagles Coordinator for EAA Chapter 1114. Please contact him for rally and volunteer information as well as any questions about the Young Eagles program at YoungEagles@eaa1114.org.

All rallies are held in airports around the Raleigh, NC area. Pre-rally registration is highly recommended, but not required. As rally dates approach, a registration link will show up at the bottom of this page where you can click the link to register. There is no limit to the number of rallies in which a youth may participate. Please NOTE: A parent or legal guardian MUST accompany their child to the rally and sign a flight waiver form giving permission for the flight. 

Rallies are influenced by  weather, pilot/aircraft availability and public health issues. Every effort is made to make a timely decision to change a rally date and notify all registered families and volunteers. 

For Parents, if you have a child that is interested in aviation and wants a free airplane ride, fill out a YE Interest Response and you will be put in our Young Eagles database and will be contacted when rallies and events are planned. Many of your questions can be answered by reading through this link, Information for Parents. 

For You who would like to Volunteer and get involved with this very worthwhile activity, Thank You. It takes a number of Pilots and Ground Support volunteers to safely staff a rally. For local and specific volunteer information and needs, please contact the Young Eagles Coordinator at YoungEagles@eaa1114.org.

For Pilots who want to be a Young Eagles pilot in a rally or to provide separate Young Eagles Flights, you must meet EAA requirements. EAA YE Pilot Requirements. Contact the Young Eagles Coordinator for specific information and instructions for Young Eagles involvement.

Chapter 1114 YE Rallies for 2024

The 2024 Young Eagles rallies are currently being scheduled. As these rallies are entered into the EAA scheduling system, sign-up information will appear at the bottom of this page:

• April 27, 2024 - Raleigh Executive Jetport (TTA), Sanford, NC
  
• June 1, 2024 - Triangle North (LHZ), 440 Airport Road, Louisburg, NC
• November 2nd or 9th, 2024 - Henderson – Oxford (HNZ), 6514 Airport Rd, Oxford, NC
• Planning for October or November - Harnett Regional (HRJ), 615 Airport Road, Erwin, NC
  

Please check the  EAA Chapter’s website, www.eaa1114.org for additional rally announcements.

Parents who have submitted an Interest Response form will receive an email with information and sign-up instructions.

The safety and health of all participants is my paramount concern. We will not hold a rally until all criteria for a safe and healthy environment can be met.  

Other Local EAA Chapters may have Young Eagles rallies scheduled.

Information of other NC rallies can be found at www.YEDay.org  along with rally registration information. 

You can click here to view the Current National List of Planned Young Eagles events to see if there are any upcoming events near you.

Please contact me with any questions, 

Rick Mestler
EAA 1114 Young Eagles Coordinator, Apex, NC
YoungEagles@eaa1114.org