EAA Chapter 631 hopes interest in aviation soars with free airplane rides

Want to give someone their first flight? There are opportunities this summer in northern Wisconsin.

Experimental Aircraft Chapter 631 serves a seven-county area including Bayfield, Washburn, Sawyer, Polk, Barron, Rusk and Chippewa counties. While many EAA chapters offer one or two free airplane rides to youths ages 8-17 each summer through the Young Eagles program, Chapter 631 offers free airplane rides throughout the warmer months.

The 2024 schedule of Young Eagles free airplane rides, provided by pilots of EAA Chapter 631, includes:

• Saturday, May 18: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Vetterkind Field, southeast of Chetek, northeast of New Auburn.

• Saturday, June 1: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chetek Municipal Airport

• Saturday, June 8: 2-5 p.m., Warbirds North Airport, west of Trego.

• Saturday, June 15: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Karis Field, north of Rice Lake on Highway M

• Saturday, June 22: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sawyer County Airport

• Saturday, June 29: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rusk County Airport

• Saturday, July 13: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Shell Lake Airport

• Saturday, Aug. 3: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cable-Union Airport

• Saturday, Aug. 17: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rice Lake Airport

• Saturday, Aug. 24: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cumberland Airport.

A parent or guardian must be present to sign permission forms. Pre-register online at youngeaglesday.org.