Youngsters will have an opportunity to soar with the eagles at the Moore County Airport Saturday.

The local chapter of the Experimental Airplane Assoc-iation (AA) will again conduct its popular Young Eagles Day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Co-sponsors with the EAA are the airport and the Junior Air Force ROTC at Pinecrest High School.

Free flights in planes piloted by EAA members will be offered to young people between the ages of 8 and 17.

Jim Murray, organizer of the event, says the only thing that will prevent the program is bad weather, something he is not expecting.

The event is promoted as "just plane fun," an opportunity for young people to learn about airplanes and being a pilot, to explore careers in aviation, science, the military, engineering, public service and other fields.

"Your first flight is always a memorable experience," Murray says. "No matter how old you are, you always remember that first time you flew."

Lunch, at $5 per person, will be served at the airport at midday. The menu will feature deep-fried turkey with all the fixings, cooked on site, five flavors of barbecue, choice of green salad, potato salad or cole slaw, plus dessert.

Young Eagles Day is open to young people, families and groups, and flights are free. However, permission by parent or guardian is required for children.

EAA Chapter No. 1220, based in Carthage, has an estimated 40 members, including private pilots, retired airline pilots, retired military pilots and others with a background in aviation.

Since the program was initiated in 1992, almost 40 EAA volunteer fliers have ferried more than 1.25 million Young Eagles on their first flights. They are registered in 90 countries.

Actor Harrison Ford, best known as Indiana Jones and Han Solo of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, is national chairman of the Young Eagles program.

Murray says he has already received calls from parents interested in the program. For more details and to make arrangements for groups, the public can call Murray at (910) 638-5774 or e-mail him at Pinehurst@live.com.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail florence@thepilot.com.