Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash.com
The love of flight is one that can be nurtured with experience in the air but flights can be costly and hard to come by for many.
This is a prime reason that pilot members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) provide free flights to kids at their Young Eagles Rallies in Mason, Oceana, and Grand Traverse Counties every year. Young Eagles Rallies happen annually all over the country to nurture the love of flight and, to date, over 2 million kids have received free flights through the Young Eagles Program.
The Experimental Aircraft Association 772/Mason County Pilot’s Association host their annual Young Eagles Rally each July at the Mason County Airport- 5530 W. US 10 in Ludington. At the event, kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a free airplane ride with a local pilot. Pilots involved in the event donate their time and use of their aircraft.
Families are encouraged to arrive early as the event fills up quickly. All kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to fly. The 2021 Ludington Eagles Rally provided free plane rides to 130 kids.
In 2022, 151 children received free plane rides at the event.
Stay tuned for information on the 2023 Young Eagles Rally in Ludington!
The Oceana County Young Eagles Rally for 2022, also hosted by EAA 772, is held each September from 9am-2pm at the Oceana County Airport- 1805 W. Baseline Road in Shelby.
Stay tuned for information on the 2023 Young Eagles Rally in Shelby!
EAA 234 hosts multiple opportunities throughout North-West Michigan each year. Their 2021 events provided over 100 kids with free flights.
The Young Eagles Program through EAA 234 also has a Young Eagles Club that holds monthly meetings and introduces young people ages 12-16 to aviation and STEM related activities. These activities lead to the ability to understand the principles of flight, navigation, airplane and airport terminology, airspace, and air traffic control.
The EAA group here also offers the Young Eagles Private Pilot Education Mentoring Program, through which kids receive a free coupon to Sporty’s Online Private Pilot Ground School. This course can qualify those interested for the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam. This program hosts twice monthly mentoring sessions to help with the material that is presented in the online ground school.
Mason County Aviation offers charter flights as well as airplane rides along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Call (231) 843-6873 or visit the Mason County Airport in Ludington for more info.
This would be a great way to check out the view from above Big Sable Point, Hamlin Lake, Nordhouse Dunes and many other beautiful areas in West Michigan!
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Get some fresh air and exercise during those cold winter months when you hit the Pentwater Pathway for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville’s Riverside Park.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Find artifacts, photographs, and lots of information and stories about the rich history of Pentwater at this historic museum!
Dune Rides in your ATV or ORV are popular at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, but many rules and regulations apply.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
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