By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Kids who are considering a future in flight – or who are just looking for an opportunity to take to the skies – will have a chance to do so at the Shelby County Airport on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The airport, which sits on the Calera-Alabaster line, is hosting its Young Eagles Day, which will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Throughout the morning, about 25 pilots with the Shelby County chapter of the EAA will take kids on free flights lasting about 20 minutes. Flights will depart at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon.

The Shelby County Airport has held several previous Young Eagles flight days, and has seen between 50 and 80 participants in each class. During the event, local pilots will have a variety of small one- and two-engine planes on hand to fly the kids.

The most recent Young Eagles Day came on Saturday, May 16, and drew more than 100 kids, Chris Roberts with the Shelby County EAA said during a Nov. 3 phone interview.

Flights are free on Young Eagles Day, but participants must fill out a registration form in advance and bring it to the airport on the day of the event. Registration forms are available at the Shelby County Airport terminal, or by emailing ShelbyEAA825@gmail.com.

Registration forms should be filled out, signed by parents and brought to the airport the day of the flight. Participants should arrive at the airport 45 minutes before their scheduled flight to allow time for check-in and briefing.

Roberts said the national EAA regularly sponsors Young Eagles Day programs at airports across the country in an effort to eventually combat a growing shortage of commercial pilots entering the workforce in the future.

“Even if it’s just one kid who grows up and decides to do something in aviation, it’s worth it,” Roberts said. “There are a lot of opportunities in flying.”