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HEBER CITY — Dozens of first-time fliers took to the skies above Heber City Saturday as part of the Young Eagles introductory flight program.
The program is designed to get kids, ages 8-17, interested in aviation, either as a career or as a hobby. About 45 of them gathered at the Heber City Municipal Airport to fly in a plane for free.
“It was amazing,” said Cedar Hills resident Kyle Hamilton. “The pilot was really nice, and he let me pilot it around for, like, three or four minutes — and it was an amazing experience.”
Pilots donate their time, planes and fuel to fly the kids around.
“I couldn’t believe these people were willing to donate their time and fuel — (it costs) $275 to fill up a Cessna,” said Carolyn Hamilton, Kyle’s mother. “I know it’s their hobby, but I really feel like they’re giving back.”
And who knows? Maybe Saturday's program will lead a child’s career to take off — literally.
“It’s just the feeling of … almost freedom,” Kyle said. “Because when you’re up there, there’s nothing else around.”
Even seasoned pilots couldn't quite put the feeling of flight into words.
“I’ve been doing it for 45 years now, and it still excites me,” said George Brennan, Young Eagles coordinator. “Just, you can take off and land where you want, and the freedom of it.”
It's that freedom that makes the Young Eagles program such a success.
This was the second year the program has operated out of Heber City. Organizers are already looking to do another program next year.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond