HARTSVILLE -- South Carolina Experimental Aircraft Association pilots provided free plane rides for children at the Hartsville Regional Airport Saturday.
Pilots from EAA Chapter 1058, out of Hartsville and throughout South Carolina, gave children 8-17-years-old an aerial tour that showed them many of Hartsville's landmarks from the air as part of their events celebrating aviation around the world.
Eleven pilots flew from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and pointed out things like the Robinson Nuclear Plant, Hartsville Middle School and Wal-Mart -- scenes from their everyday lives from a different point of view.
Ann Davis, an aviation instructor, volunteered her time to provide a ground safety course.
Mike Knight, a pilot from Cheraw, gave a brief presentation on basic aircraft parts and operation.
"We have pilots that have volunteered their time from Manning all the way to Aiken," Jeanne Rudick Young Eagles coordinator for EAA Chapter 1058 said.
Young Eagles is a youth program sponsored by EAA. Since 1992 EAA pilots have flown more than 1.5 million children.
Joe Ziegler brought his children, Chance and McKenzie, to see the planes after he heard an announcement for the event on the radio Saturday morning.
"I used to fly when I was a kid and my dad passed away so unfortunately my kids have not flown so I thought I'd come out and give it a shot," he said. "I know my kids will remember it for a long time."
"The event is for the kids," Hartsville pilot of 10 years, Lee Gardner, said.
Gardner flew Chance and McKenzie above Hartsville and worked as their tour guide through radio headsets as they passed over the city.
"I can remember the first time my dad took us up in a small airplane. I can remember it like it was yesterday," he said.
The event is held annually around the world on the second Saturday of June. It features arts and crafts and food for children and their families.
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