LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Chapter 124 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, or EAA, based at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport are teaming up to provide free flights to young people at Lampson Field airport in Lakeport on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Any interested individuals between the ages of 8 to 17 are invited to participate in this EAA Young Eagles rally.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce and EAA Chapter 124 organized the event as part of an effort to make members of the Lake County community aware of the outstanding career opportunities for young people in aviation.

In addition, participants will learn about opportunities for Lake County high schools to obtain a high quality aviation curriculum developed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association at no cost.

Unlike many fields where jobs are disappearing, career prospects in aviation are bright. Boeing’s CEO, Dennis Muilinberg, noted at the Paris Air Show in July, 2019 that there will be a need for 800,000 new pilots in the next 20 years, and that there will be a severe pilot shortage.

Each of the major US airlines has already begun investing capital to deal with this shortage.

“It’s important that students and parents in Lake County become aware of the career opportunities in aviation, including jobs as aviation mechanics, avionics technicians, corporate, airline and military pilots and aerial photographers,” said Lake County Chamber of Commerce CEO Melissa Fulton.

The Young Eagles rally begins at 9 a.m. Each participant should register in advance for a time slot at http://bit.ly/33tbGBv .

At the beginning of the rally, pilot John Swanstrom, a member of EAA Chapter 124, will present his visually dynamic seminar about the basic principles of flight and aviation.

The ground school also includes Career Opportunities in Aviation, an overview for students and parents presented by Clear Lake Flying Club director of education Herb Lingl.

Then participants will be assigned to an aircraft and take their free aircraft flight.

Afterwards, participants will receive a certificate and a starter logbook to record their flight time.

The Clearlake Modelers will also have on display a number of model aircraft. Members of the model aviation flying club will be available to answer questions about their aircraft and how to  become involved in flying model aircraft. Building and flying model aircraft is a great way for young people to learn more about aviation.

“Ín addition to getting young people excited about flying and about the career opportunities in aviation, we hope the event will help us identify individuals who might be interested in teaching the AOPA curriculum,” said Lingl.

The members of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce are working with Lake County schools to encourage them to submit applications to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to teach the curriculum in the coming 2020/2021 school year.

To learn more about the AOPA High School Curriculum please visit https://youcanfly.aopa.org/high-school/high-school-curriculum.

To learn more about the EAA Young Eagles program, please visit https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights.