Area youth ages 8 to 17 have a chance to take to the skies on Sunday, June 28.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 386 will host a young eagles flight rally at the Austin Airport.

The rally is 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 1.3 million young people in more than 90 countries.

“Free airplane rides are just part of the Flight Rally,” said Mike Bibus, spokesman for the event. “We hope to build one-to-one relationships between pilots and young people, giving a new generation a chance to learn more about the possibilities that exist in the world of aviation.”

Pilots at the event will also explain more about their airplanes, allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and how pilots ensure safety is the prime concern before every flight.

Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate, making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on permanent display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. The Logbook is also accessible on the Internet at www.youngeagles.org.

Other activities scheduled for the Flight Rally, include aircraft displays, a P-51 Mustang fighter from World War II and a Cessna T-41 trainer from the 60s. Rides will be given in the T-41 Cessna.

Along with flight rallies, EAA members also fly Young Eagles on an individual basis. Each pilot volunteers their time and aircraft so the flights can be provided free of charge for those interested.

Those who wish to attend the flight rally June 28 are asked to come to the Austin Airport beginning at 11 a.m. to register. Flights begin at 11:15 a.m., with registration closing at 2 p.m.

Additional information about EAA and the EAA Young Eagles program is available on the Internet. Access to EAA’s home page is available at www.eaa.org. The Young Eagles Web site is www.youngeagles.org.