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Townsend Young Eagle Students in the STOKE Aviation Program had a Free Flight
Author: Matt Nelson

Matt Nelson

Townsend Junior High and High School students who recently joined the newly formed STOKE (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, OUTDOORS, KNOWLEDGE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP) aviation group in Townsend were all given a ride in a Cessna 150 2-seat aircraft piloted by Brenna Youmans on Friday, May 8th. They flew out of Broadwater/Townsend Airport. Brenna is the Vice-President of the Helena Chapter 344 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and had flown down from Helena. The EAA sponsors free flights for registered students in their Young Eagle program.

The purpose of the Young Eagles Program is to introduce kids to aviation. Over the years, over 2 million participating kids around the country have been given free Young Eagles flights by volunteer EAA pilots. Often, these were the kids’ first flights. Many have gone on to receive their private pilot’s license. Some have even gone further to become commercial and/or military pilots.

The flights were over Canyon Ferry Lake, and each flight lasted about 15 minutes. With Brenna’s expert guidance, some of the kids were briefly able to hold onto the control stick of the plane, and the older kids were able to operate the rudder pedals. Of course, Brenna was in full control of the plane during the entirety of the flights.

After the flight, each student had the biggest grin upon exiting the aircraft, and each one said that he or she had a lot of fun and fully enjoyed the ride. One high school girl now wants to become a pilot.

Dwight Thompson, the airport manager, and the STOKE Chaperone Jackie Chavez were both present during the flights. Thanks also go to other Townsend STOKE adults who coordinated the event. These are Candice O’Hara, who is the Townsend STOKE President, and Tina Homann, the Vice-President. John Hawn, Amanda and James Domino all contribute to the STOKE operations.

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PhotoCredit: Matt Nelson
Image 1 Caption: Pilot Brenna Youmans from the Helena Chapter 344 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) flew Townsend STOKE Young Eagles in a 1967 Cessna 150H. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson