serial number, containing the details
of their flights. There are spaces in the
books to record subsequent educational
experiences, such as visiting an
aeronautical musem. Once completed,
they can submit their books to receive a
free computer based learn-to-fly course,
valued at $199.00. On successful
completion, they also receive a free
flight lesson from an instructor at the
airport of their choice.
The results have been amazing. The
Judds have kept meticulous records of
every one of the 1,013 children whom
they have flown, and have volumes of
heartfelt “thank you” letters and notes
from these kids and their parents to
show for it.
“I remember a lot of them… after
a while, it became addictive… if you
see those kids’ faces, when they get out
of the airplane… it’s astonishing… you
see the smiles on their faces, and you
hear the questions they ask…” Ray’s
voice trails off as his eyes become
misty.
Word quickly spread about the nice
people who gave free airplane rides
to local kids. Before they knew what
was happening, Ray and Lorraine were
winning awards and gaining national
recognition for their participation. “Not
because we were looking for awards…
we just couldn’t walk away.” Soon it
became necessary for them to involve
other local pilots, who also embraced
the Young Eagles program.
Ray and Lorraine have so many fond
memories of the kids they have flown.
One eight year old girl went home with
a cockpit diagram and laid it out on the
table so that she could show her Daddy
how to fly an airplane. “I didn’t know if
she was scared out of her mind, going
to be sick, or what,” Ray recalls. “She
just sat there without moving with
her eyes wide open. Finally, I got this
letter and story from her Mom.” The
mother explained that her daughter was
extremely focused when learning new
things.
One story in particular clutches
at the heart. They had invited two
young brothers who had expressed an
interest in aviation to become Young
Eagles. When they learned of this
opportunity, and that it was free, they
moved mountains in their family’s
busy schedule to take advantage of it.
On the scheduled day, the entire
family showed up. The two brothers,
Young Eagles Continued...
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Summer 2014
32
