Children take flight

Nine-year-old Marcus Boyd, of Sedalia, had never been in a plane until Saturday.

"I got to drive it," Marcus said after hopping out of the Cessna 182, four-seater plane.

Marcus was one of many children who got to experience flying for the first time at the third annual Sedalia Memorial Airport Fly-In through the Young Eagles Program.

Michael McGaha, of Sedalia, took children, or young eagles on short flights throughout the day.

"We want to introduce young people to flight," McGaha said.

The Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program is for children ages 8 to 17. The program lets children learn a few basics about planes and flying and gives them a chance to fly for free. After the flight, children receive a certificate.

Marcus's sister, Monique Boyd, 11, took her first flight Saturday.

"I thought it would be really cool," Monique said before her flight.

Monique jumped out of the plane and ran to tell mom about her flight when she landed.

"It was awesome," Monique said.

The third annual event brought out more than a dozen pilots.

Pilots were served a  pancake breakfast and chatted about their experiences flying.

Jim Hamilton, 67, of Cole Camp, flew his amateur-built 1989 Challenger to Sedalia.

Hamilton has been flying since 1974 and built the plane himself in about nine months.

"Getting up there in the cool air, the quiet and the scenery, it just relaxes you," Hamilton said.

The plane travels about 70 mph depending on the weather.

Pilot Don Daly, of Lee’s Summit, arrived in Sedalia a little after 8 a.m.

Daly flew with the military and then got his private license in 1981.

“There is nothing in the world like being able to open the hangar door and decide which direction you want to go,” Daly said.

Dave Wiedeman, president of the airport board, said the fly-in drew a good crowd.

“We are trying to get exposure and show how the airport benefits this city,” Wiedeman said.

Mayor Bob Wasson stopped by the fly-in and said the airport is a good resource for Sedalia.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for those in the industry to fly in here,” Wasson said.

Pilots who flew in Saturday received a free breakfast, and visitors could purchase the breakfast for $6 for adults and $4 for kids under 12.

Marcus and Monique’s mom, Tammy Boyd, said the flight was a unique experience.

“They’ll remember it forever,” Boyd said.

chudson@sedaliademocrat.com