Rio Creek Airport

                                                                                      2006 Young Eagles Day

Presented by

June 24 was declared Young Eagles day at Rio Creek Airport.  In continuing with the goal and mission of the RCAF, the members of the foundation sought to encourage interest in aviation.  The EAA's Young Eagle program offers free rides to kids 8-17.

Because this was our first year organizing a Young Eagles Rally at RCA, we weren't totally sure what to expect and we planned on running from 9 a.m. until noon.  With 2 Ercoupes, a Cherokee, and a Cessna 172 ready to give rides, we figured that we could consider it a successful day if we had 20-30 kids attend.  What we got was beyond what we could have hoped for and a wonderfully successful day at RCA.

Our first participants began showing up at 8:30 a.m. and early signs were indicating that we were going to have more participants than we had previously thought.

We were pleasantly surprised by the large early turnout and our volunteers kept everything moving smoothly.  Todd Lohenry and Hans Shin handled the paperwork while Don Walter, Earl Martin and Don Jahnke helped anybody with questions and Duane Fameree occupied his usual spot of directing airplane traffic on the ground..

Shaun Clausen (Cessna 172), Gerald Wautier (Cessna 172), Jay Baeten (Cessna 170), Frank Fameree (Piper Cherokee), Brian Dauck (Ercoupe) and Justin Dauck (Ercoupe) were piloting the birds that took to the sky with excited Eagles inside.  Jay and Gerald had stopped by that morning and being experienced Young Eagles Flight Leaders, they agreed to stay and give some rides.

The kids were treated to a great view of the area and many rode in a General Aviation aircraft for the first time.  It was also interesting to see the tractor parade make it way down the trail adjacent to the runway.

Everyone involved from the Rio Creek Aviation Foundation was happy to participate in the event.  Working with the EAA and their Young Eagles program helped reach out to kids in the area and hopefully cause some to actively participate in aviation in the future.

By the time we were done flying at 2:30 p.m., we had flown 79 kids and helped put a smile on their face.  Judging by the fact that number alone was almost double the population of Rio Creek, we considered the day a success and are planning on doing it again next year.

The Rio Creek Aviation Foundation was formed in 2004 with the purpose of fostering a love of flying for young and old alike in Northeast Wisconsin. Based at the Rio Creek International Airport, the heart of aviation in Kewaunee County, the foundation promotes aviation through educational programs, fly-ins, Young Eagles days and other aviation-oriented activities. For further information email us.