May 29, 2008 — Chapter 700 in Burlington, Iowa, plans to continue flying Young Eagles until pigs fly. And if their May 17 Young Eagles flight rally is any indication, that will surely be a long, long time.
The chapter has partnered with a local bank to help it promote some of its Young Eagles flights. And the bank’s mascot, “Pig E. Bank,” appeared on May 17, and even asked for a ride, said Rex Ott, chapter vice chairman.
Chapter pilots flew 85 Young Eagles, all who belonged to F&M Bank’s young savers group, in nine planes. This was the second year the bank helped promote Young Eagles flights, Ott said. The first year, they provided flights to 92 youths.
“We try to do innovative things to get new kids interested,” Ott said. “When we hold flight rallies open to the public, we tend to get some of the same kids over and over again. That’s why we like to work with different groups like churches, businesses or schools.”
Beside providing publicity, the bank also provided employees to help with registration and scheduled children to fly at a specific time, Ott said.
Oh, and about that flight for “Pig E.”? They tried to get him into Jim Knight’s RV-6A, but the mascot costume was too big for the canopy to close. “The mascot had to make engine noises and pretend to fly,” Ott said.
Chapter 700 usually does two to three Young Eagles rallies yearly.
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Mascot “Pig E. Bank” didn’t fit in Jim Knight’s RV-6A, but did pose for a photo.
Gary Housewright of Chapter 700 helps a Young Eagle into his Sonex.
Chapter 700’s Joe Nuebel is seen with and several new Young Eagles beside his Cessna 172.
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