Published in Midwest Flyer – August/September 2017 issue
OSHKOSH, WIS. – EAA’s 2 millionth Young Eagle, Jodie Gawthrop of Westchester, Illinois (EAA 1108302), completed her first solo on March 9, 2017, less than a year after her flight with former Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford (2004-2009).
After participating in the Civil Air Patrol’s orientation program in 2013, Gawthrop fell in love with aviation and has made it her mission to take to the sky; she’s even considering pursuing a military career. She credited EAA; her CFI Dave Hooper, EAA 439937; and the general aviation community at large for inspiring her to learn to fly.
Former Young Eagles Co-Chairman Jeff Skiles flew the 1,999,998th Young Eagle, Braeden Edbert, 10, of LaValle, Wisconsin, and current Chairman Sean D. Tucker flew the 1,999,999th Young Eagle, Owen Wrolstad, 13, of Oshkosh. Fred Stadler, the EAA member who has given the most Young Eagles flights at 6,500, gave the 2,000,001 flight to Annalee Wrolstad, 11, also of Oshkosh.