We can either go north or south (from Glendale Municipal-KGEU). I've gone south on 99 percent of my Young Eagles flights. In the Cessna 172, about the right length of flight with throttle about 2300 is down to about Phoenix International Raceway (P.I.R.) / north edge of Estrella Mountains. Point out Loop 101, I-10, Goodyear Airport, City of Tolleson, fuel tank farms, south mountain, Estrella Mountain, Salt and Gila rivers, downtown and Palo Verde. From downwind (usually take off from Runway 1) the YE in the front seat is at the controls. Point out altitude to stay at (Class B bottom is at 3000) let them fly, turn etc., ask the YE's in back how the YE in front is doing.
During flight I ask them about altitude and airspeed. Pre-flight briefing, loading, etc. needs to be more extensive than normal. Ask them for help pointing out other airplanes they may see. I do a quick walk around most of the time and ask them - what is this (aileron, flaps, elevator,rudder) and what they do. It is a lot of fun to give many of them their first airplane rides ever.
In the RV, I keep the RPM lower (guessing around 1800) to keep the speed (Va) and fuel burn down. They don't really care about the speed or distance of the flight and slower is better to see and avoid when there are several other YE flights in the area. Usually about 30 minutes from group to group, flight time probably 20 minutes.
It is up to the pilot, but that is my typical flight. It is a good way to spend a Saturday morning.
Dave Biddle
Cessna 172 / RV-6A
Young eagle's getting ready to fly in Dave's Cessna 172
