Oct. 21 YE Rally - Rotometrics, Meadows of Dan, VA

Aviation History Was Made in Meadows of Dan at the Rotometrics/Micrometrics Airport with the First Ever Young Eagles Rally on October 21, 2006
On the gloriously beautiful and crisp day of Saturday, October 21, the Rotometrics/Micrometrics’ Airport in Meadows of Dan (Patrick County) was abuzz with six volunteer pilots providing exciting free airplane rides to kids ages 8 – 17. At his private airport, Mr. Melvin Stanley hosted the Twin County Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1426 for a Young Eagles Rally.

The rally was part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.2 million young people who reside in more than 90 countries.

Over 130 flights were given to young people from the following areas: Meadows of Dan, Fancy Gap, Floyd, Bassett, Galax, Vesta, Woodlawn, Ararat, Hillsville, Pilot, Woolwine, Dugspur, Dumfries, Sutherlin, Stuart, Lawsonville, Claudeville, Martinsville, Riner, Laurel Fork, Fries, Virginia; Moore, South Carolina, Newaygo, Michigan, and North Carolina.

Melvin Stanley, Don Stanley, Tim Brown, Jody Early, Lewis Walker (all local) and Steven Welsh of Raleigh North Carolina, EAA Chapter 1114 were the six pilots donating their time, aircraft, and fuel for the event.

Before the flights, the kids attended a brief “ground school” session where pilots explained how airplanes work and how they ensure safety, which is the prime concern before every flight. Then they were sent to the dispatching area to be assigned to the pilots. After the flights, the flyers received a certificate making them an official “Young Eagle.” Their names will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” and can be viewed on the Internet at www.youngeagles.org. This logbook is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, WI.

Other activities at the Rally included computer flight simulators provided by Brian Thomas (EAA Member) and Robert Haskin of Aghanim Promotions of Galax and Charter EAA member Marcus Ogle. EAA Chapter 1426 provided wooden balsa airplanes. Meadows of Dan community volunteers provided the food concession. Ron Cochran of Omega Church and Office Supply created the t-shirts on site to represent the event. EAA Chapter 1426 members and family, Rotometrics employees, and other community volunteers provided the myriad of logistics that go into making an event like this possible.

Pictures of the rally may be viewed on the local website: www.youngeagles.chillsnet.org
EAA Chapter 1426 meets every second Thursday of the month at Twin County Airport at 7 p.m. The next meeting date, however, is Thursday, November 2 due to scheduling conflicts. All persons who are interested in aviation or who want to help promote aviation in the area are encouraged to attend. The local chapter’s web site is www.eaa1426.chillsnet.org

Pictures from the Rally

The first section of pictures shows views of leaving Twin County Airport to fly over to Rotometrics at Meadows of Dan.
leaving