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ESCANABA --

Many kids have flown in planes, but how common is it to have your own personal pilot? Trevor LaChance had one.

The pilots from Iron Mountain and Escanaba volunteered their time and their planes.

“He took us places that we really hadn't seen before, with a different view," explains LaChance.

The day of aviation fun was made possible by the Experimental Aircraft Association. The Young Eagles program costs nothing to participate in. It familiarizes them with flying in an aircraft, which could include slight turbulence.

“The pilot told me that because there were clouds,” says participant Dylan Bernson, “there'd be a lot of bumps. And there was a really big one, and it scared me."

Donald Poe is the Deputy Group Commander for the Civil Air Patrol. He says Boy Scouts and 4-H members have also gotten the chance to fly. It's an adventure that he likes seeing kids enjoy.

“You know, I’ve been in aviation since I was knee-high to a toadstool, and I’ve always enjoyed it,” says Poe. “I've built model airplanes and flown in aircraft, and this is really interesting. It’s a great career field, too."

There are about six Young Eagles Flights held in Delta County each year. This program is held not only around the U.P., but around the nation. To find out how you can participate, contact a Fixed Base Operator at the closest airport near to you.