Posted: 8/13/03

Airport open house Saturday offers kids free taste of flying

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Area youth are invited to take a brand new look at the community they call home.

Young Eagles flights, which give a free taste of flying to youth 8-18-years-old with parental permission, are a favorite component of the annual open house this Saturday at Forest Lake Airport and Daniel A. DePonti Field.

Local pilot and member of the Forest Lake Airport Commission Rick Ashbach said Young Eagle flights are enjoyable for the youth and the pilot alike.

ìIt is the most incredible experience you can imagine,î Ashbach said of the flights. ìYou just can never forget that first flight. We (the pilots) get a kick out of it as much as the children do. Thereís nothing like seeing a youth sitting next to you with a smile on their face.î

Young Eagle flights are a project of the Experimental Aircraft Association. The mission of the flights is to give youth a chance to experience the joys of flight and what it takes to fly.

A nationwide project, the EAAís goal is to give flights to 1 million youth before the centennial celebration of flight this December. With about 950,000 flights logged in, the group is well on their way to success.

Airport changes

Ashbach said it has been a busy couple of years at the Forest Lake Airport. The airport now has self service gasoline for pilots.

To keep things running well and maintained, the airport commission has sponsored two airport work days.

An automated weather system for pilots also is in the works.

The airport is proving to be a popular place to greet the air, as every hangar is full and the pilots are active in their love of flight. Overlay zoning is in place, which ensures buildings will not be located within a certain distance of the flight strip.

An airport master plan also has been complete.

With Columbus Townshipís Jim Schultz bringing flight lessons back to the airport, and other improvements Ashbach said the airport has a solid presence in the community.

Event details

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. In addition to Young Eagle flights, the open house will feature display of antique airplanes and other aircraft, viewing of a National Guard helicopter, and an opportunity to talk with local pilots.

The Forest Lake Lions Club will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers and roasted sweet corn and Peppermint Parlor and Eatery will have ice cream available.

The open house is a free event.

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