Don’t let fear take flight

MT PLEASANT — LilyAnn anxiously clung to her mother’s side as the realization of a new experience awaited her.

The caring volunteers for the event gave LilyAnn’s mother the option to fly with nervous girl, and she agreed.

LilyAnn and Arnie become fast friends. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

55-year-old Arnie Sperfslage came up to meet his newest co-pilot for the Young Eagles program brought to the Mt. Pleasant Airport by the Kiwanis.

U.S. Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) created the Young Eagles program to give children like LilyAnn an opportunity to get connected with experienced pilots like Arnie to take rides in small engine planes.

Arnie took care to educate his nervous little flier before boarding the plane and offered to let her decided if she would like a shorter flight.

He explained that the plane can fly at approximately 120 mph with four people and luggage in stow.

The speed did not appear to help quell LilyAnn’s fears.

Arnie and LilyAnn discuss the functions of the flaps on the airplane’s wings. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

She walked around the plan with Arnie as he explained the different moving parts on the outside of the plane and their purposes.

“Do you know what these do?” Arnie asked the timid LilyAnn as they examined a wing.

“It is how you turn, right?” LilyAnn answered uncertainly.

Arnie’s face lit up as he assured her that she was correct.

He then took her to examine the tail’s moving parts that move the plane up and down.

“How long have you been flying?” LilyAnn asked suspiciously.

“56 years,” Arnie said. “I have been flying since I was 26 years old.”

This appeared to give LilyAnn a bit of relief.

She let out a large breath and made sure her mother was still really going up with her.

With a smile, a hug, and agreement from mom, LilyAnn prepared herself to do a scary, but exciting thing.

“Are you still anxious?” Arnie asked.

“Not anxious,” LilyAnn said. “I’m so excited!”

Leaving her fears on the ground, LilyAnn and her mother carefully climbed into the small plane and sat side by side in the back seat.

Fears were set aside as LilyAnn and her mother geared up to take flight. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

A large smile stretched across LilyAnn’s face as she donned her aviation headset and eagerly looked out the window.

“We take off into the wind,” Arnie explained as he taxied down the runway.

Before take off, Arnie explained how he would check the motor and both sets of spark plugs.

“Buckled in ready to go?” he asked.

“Yeah!” LilyAnn said into her headset.

“Woohoo! We’re up in the air,” she quickly exclaimed once the plane left the ground.

“Do you still want just a short ride?” he asked the previously nervous flier.

“It is so beautiful up here,” LilyAnn beamed. “I want to take the long ride!”

That is exactly what they did.

From 500 feet in the sky Mt. Pleasant Walmart was easily visible, but the fear that once threatened to keep LilyAnn grounded had shrunk so small they no longer appeared to exist.

After an eagles-view tour of Mt. Pleasant, that included a view of the home Arnie grew up in, he skillfully guided the plane back to the airport.

Arnie’s childhood home was easily seen from the sky. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

A timid little girl did not gingerly step off of that plane, but instead, a brilliantly brave young lady excitedly jumped from the craft eager to tell everyone of her adventure.

The Young Eagles program has been operational for thirty years and has given well over 2 million children the chance to fly in 90 countries, and have no intention of letting up now.

To find the next Young Eagles event near you visit their website at www.eaa.org/eaa/events

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com