Oct 3, 2007 --- If you happened to swing by the airport on that sunny Saturday, September 22 morning, you would have seen quite a crowd! The parking lot was overflowing, the community hangar was buzzing with activity, and the ramp was loaded with 19 excited Westfield Middle School students and their families anxiously awaiting the arrival of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagle pilots Cliff Allen, Noel Anderson and Robert Szego.

The Young Eagles is a national organization that gives youth, ages 7-17, the chance to experience flight. This is a no cost program where certified EAA pilots donate their time, the use of their planes and their aviation expertise so that these kids will get the chance to fly.

Airport owner Bob Bacon, flight instructors Mary Shea, Mike Byrnes, Paul Venskus and Vinnie Melling, along with airport regular Tim Fannin were on hand to take the crowd on tours of the airport, talk to them about different planes and let them have a chance on the flight simulator.

"The kids had a blast," said Peter Lurgio, assistant principal of Westfield Middle School South. "This was an amazing opportunity for them! I wouldn't be surprised if you saw some of them again at the airport."

"I don't know who has more fun, the kids or the pilots," noted Cliff Allen. "If you were in the plane and could see and hear the kids' reactions, you would better understand why we do this!"

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