Photo courtesy of Palmetto Sport Aviation These Boy Scouts of local Troop 75 had a free airplane ride at a recent young eagles event with pilot Harold Moxley. Soaring above Columbia, youngsters will get a bird's eye view of their city Saturday, June 13, while they experience the exhilaration of flight in celebration of International Young Eagles Day. The hours are 9 am to 2 pm.

Around the world youth will take to the air with experienced pilots at the controls willing to share their passions for aviation via free flights to youth, ages six to 18. In Columbia the volunteer pilots are members of Palmetto Sport Aviation, Chapter 242 Experimental Aviation Association. Their headquarters are at Owens Downtown Airport.

Although every second Saturday, every month, is Young Eagles Day here in Columbia, on International Young Eagles Day, the local chapter competes with other chapters around the world for the highest tally of young eagles going up for their first flights in a recreational plane.

Two years ago the Columbia chapter was tops in the world. In only one day, they introduced more than 200 youths to flight.

The Young Eagles experience begins with introductions to the pilot and the plane, called a "walkaround," and to the flying route to be followed. The short flight pattern usually goes out over I- 20 where young passengers can see how small cars look from the air. Cutting through the air, the planes fly to the Alpine Road area making a complete circle around the city before heading back to Owens Field.

When they land the young passengers receive a certificate signed by their pilot as well as movie star/pilot Harrison Ford, chairman of the international program.

Since the free, volunteer program was established in 1992, approximately one and a half million youth have been introduced to the thrill of recreational flying.

For more information visit www.eaa242.org select "young eagles".