Mt Zion Aviation Club takes to the skies

Pictured, left to right, Butch Belleville, Elizabeth Cowger, Autumn Whitsel, Matthew Moody, Carrera Sidlo and John Durbin.

On Monday March 21, the Mt. Zion Aviation Club had the opportunity to participate in the EAA Chapter 274 Young Eagles program. This is the largest youth aviation initiative and was designed to introduce kids to aviation. The volunteer pilots of Decatur EAA have hosted over 5,000 kids in Young Eagle flights in Decatur. With the help of Butch Belleville and John Durbin the kids were shown how to preflight the aircraft, and then taken on a 20 minute airplane ride around Decatur.

However, the fun does not end there. Each participant is given a logbook to record their flight.

For those who wish to learn more, a free access code is printed on the back of the logbook giving them the opportunity for free and unlimited access to Sporty’s Complete Pilot Training Course online.

The Mt. Zion Aviation Club meets every other Thursday at 2:30pm at the Mt. Zion High School, and is open to junior high and high school student with an interest in all things aviation. The next meetings will be April 7 and April 24.

The next Young Eagle flight will be June 4 during the Airport Fun Day at the Decatur Airport.

For more information please contact Jenn Camden at 217-433-0956.