Thomas Lynn | The Valdosta Daily TimesAbout 50 kids got the opportunity Saturday to soar through the air as part of Legacy Flight Academy's Eyes Above the Horizon event at Valdosta Regional Airport.

VALDOSTA — In the backseat of a small, single-engine airplane Saturday morning, 13-year-old Andrea Freeman flew for the first time.

With her friend, Linda McCuin, 13, they both flew in a Cessna Skyhawk 800 feet up in the air around the Valdosta Regional Airport for about seven minutes. 

Despite the dark clouds overhead, McCuin and Freeman were two of about 50 kids who got the opportunity to soar through the air as part of Legacy Flight Academy’s Eyes Above the Horizon event.

Eric Johnson, logistics chief for LFA, said flying gives the kids a different perspective of the world and opens their minds to more possibilities.

When the children get off the planes after flying, Johnson said he can see the impact of the experience written all over their faces.

“Their minds have just been blown,” Johnson said. “Seeing that reaction is what this is all about.”

He said the goal for the Eyes Above the Horizon event is to encourage kids to eventually get a pilot’s license and keep them interested in aviation.

LFA was established in 2012 as a nationwide nonprofit organization. It teamed up with other nonprofits in 2015 to establish more local events.

Aaron Jones, vice president of LFA, said the organization was created to bring more diversity to the field of aviation. 

The greatest factor preventing kids from joining aviation is the lack of access to aviation resources. The event gives children who would normally never fly in an airplane the opportunity to sit side-by-side with the pilot in a private aircraft.

“Within the aviation community, less than 5 percent are minorities,” Jones said. “The reason why was a lack of exposure. A lot of people I know who fly got started at a young age. This fills in that gap.”

Jones saw Legacy as a chance to not only introduce young people to the joys and excitement of flying but also a chance to mentor at-risk youth.

The free event and organization are all inclusive, he said. If a child wants to get up in the clouds, no matter their background, Legacy will help them achieve that dream.

“For me, it’s about being the change that you want to see in the world,” Jones said. “I saw this as an opportunity to really make a difference.”

LFA is always looking for donations to help spread aviation to young people. Anyone interested in contributing is encouraged to visit the organization’s website at legacyflightacademy.org.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256