The last time a Young Eagles event was held in Halifax County 168 children got free 20-minute plane rides.

On April 24, Ralph Johnson, manager of the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport wants to see that number shattered.

This year’s Young Eagles event, which is sponsored through the Experimental Aircraft Association, begins at 10 a.m. at the airport and children 8 through 17 will get to go on a 20-minute flight, get their photo taken with the pilot and a certificate documenting the event. There will also be food at the event.

Johnson believes the event is a good way to help spark interest in aviation or just get a chance to ride in a private airplane. “Not everyone has the opportunity to fly. Not everyone can hop in a plane and fly somewhere.”

All that’s needed is a desire to ride in a plane and permission from a parent or guardian and a group of volunteer pilots will take the children up in a two, four or six seat private plane.

Local airplanes will be on display and the local Civil Air Patrol will be there talking about the program.

Johnson supports the Civil Air Patrol. “You can get in Civil Air Patrol and you can get to fly and it doesn’t cost them anything.”

The Young Eagles started in 1995 and its goal was to take 1 million children on flights by the Wright Brothers anniversary. More than 1.5 million children have now flown, according to the Young Eagles website. “Now we’re working on the second million,” Johnson said.

For more information contact the airport at 252-583-3492.