NORTH ANDOVER — More than 20 children — some barely tall enough to see over the control panel — got their first taste of flying at Lawrence Municipal Airport on Saturday.
Children throughout Massachusetts were able to take a free half-hour lesson, taught and supervised by local volunteer pilots, through the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program. The local chapter has been hosting the program for more than five years to spread the fun of flight to a new generation of potential pilots.
"It's just fun flying with kids," said Tom Walsh of Newburyport, the Young Eagles program coordinator. "I try to let them fly as much as possible because, believe it or not, they're excellent pilots."
Marcus Conner, 10, of North Andover was one of the many students who kissed the sky for the first time Saturday morning.
"It was extremely fun, He taught me some of the instruments," Marcus said.
Other student pilots ran the gamut from ecstatic to cautiously excited at taking their first flying lesson.
Saul and Samantha Delacruz of Lawrence were two such students from both sides of the spectrum.
"I'm going to drive the plane," said Saul, 10, while waiting for his assigned pilot.
Citing his past experience with planes as both a passenger and as a pilot in video games, Saul said he wanted to try piloting for himself.
"I can't wait to get behind the wheel of a plane," he said.
His sister, Samantha, 12, was also excited about her chance to fly, but expected the experience to be a nerve-wracking one.
"I'm afraid of heights," she said.
The volunteer pilots shared the kids' enthusiasm.
"It gets kids interested in aviation and science," said Neil Harmon, a volunteer pilot for the program for the past three years. "It shows them it's not just for a classroom."
Dick Sundell, another volunteer pilot, said the program has been a continued success in drawing new student pilots into the cockpit.
"It gives the young folks some exposure to general aviation and flying," he said. "It whets their appetite a bit."
The local 106 chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts a Young Eagles introductory flight in the spring and the fall open to children from the ages of 8 to 17.
