Photo via EAA Chapter 376 member Tim Sowell.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA) Chapter 376 is offering free flights for an aerial tour around the Fresno area to children ages 8-17 this Saturday morning at the Bill Tjerrild Aviation Center/EAA 376 at Sierra Sky Park.

This event, which takes place on the second Saturday of each month weather permitting, is part of the EAA’s Young Eagles program, which was launched in 1992.

Tim Cone is the president of the EAA Chapter 376 and has piloted Young Eagles Flights for nearly three decades.

Cone said the goal of the program is to take the youth flying, at no cost to them, to learn about aviation, experience their first flights, and to get them passionate about flying and interested in becoming pilots.

Cone said the flights usually last 20 to 30 minutes, with about 30 to 50 kids catching a flight at each event.

Over the years, he has personally flown over 300 children for the event. The program also does rally events for schools, community groups, police activity leagues, and local hospitals to provide flights to children with special needs.

He said that he has seen some young kids that he has flown eventually grow up to be pilots.

In his nearly four decades as a pilot, he says the time has never been better to be a pilot, and he, and the EAA, want to present flying as a career choice.

“When I was starting out, you were basically committing to eating dirt for a decade before it started paying better than your average job,” Cone said. “That’s not the case anymore. If you don’t have something that you’re passionate about try flying.”

Registration for this Saturday’s event will close once it is fully booked.

To register visit  https://youngeaglesday.org/?yedetail&event=84LJ11yF8