EAA Young Eagles flights part of American Barnstormers Tour

EAA YOUNG EAGLES FLIGHTS PART OF 2010 AMERICAN BARNSTORMERS TOUR THROUGH MIDWEST

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (May 11, 2010) - Young people in seven Midwest cities will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in unique vintage aircraft this summer, as the American Barnstormers Tour will include flight opportunities for selected young people through the EAA Young Eagles program.

In each city, up to 15 young people per day will be selected by local EAA chapters to fly in these vintage aircraft, which were manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s during what is commonly known as the "Golden Age of Aviation." These young people will fly in conjunction with EAA Young Eagles, which has flown more than 1.5 million young people free of charge since 1992.

"Young Eagles is the largest aviation education program ever created, and it has introduced the world of flight to an entire generation of young aviation enthusiasts," said Steve Buss, EAA Young Eagles executive director. "Our connection with the American Barnstormers Tour this summer takes it a step further. Young people will discover the unique world of vintage aircraft, which possess an unmatched 'time-machine' magic of their own. We appreciate the EAA-member pilots on the American Barnstormers Tour for creating this opportunity."

Along with the flying experience during the Tour's "Parade of Flight," all participating Young Eagles will also receive a private tour of the Barnstormers flight line.

"As a group we feel a personal responsibility to foster a new generation of care-takers to carry on the history and accomplishment embodied within these remarkable planes," said Sarah Wilson, spokeswoman for the American Barnstormers Tour. "We are very proud to be partnering with EAA Young Eagles and with their help, we are planting the seeds for more young people to become interested in antique aircraft.  Who knows? This might just lead to a 21st Century Barnstorming revival."

The flights will take place at Mason City, Iowa (June 17-19); Tea, S.D. (Jun 20-22); Watertown, S.D. (June 23); Aberdeen, S.D. (June 24-26); Bismarck, N.D. (Jun 27-29); Jamestown, N.D. (June 30-July 2); and Alexandria, Minn. (July 3-5).

For more information on the American Barnstormers Tour, visit its website at www.americanbarnstormerstour.com/.

EAA's Young Eagles program was founded in 1992 and has provided more than 1.5 million free demonstration flights to young people around the world, through the efforts of 43,000 volunteer pilots and 50,000 ground volunteers. More information is available at www.youngeagles.org.

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world's most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA's 160,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with http://twitter.com/EAAupdate.