EAA Chapter 430Aiden Lara Comes Full Circle, From Young Eagle to Young Eagles Pilot
In the February 2026 newsletter, Aiden Lara wrote about how a childhood love of airplanes turned into a pilot certificate and a role helping lead our fly-outs.
His first real step came in the summer of 2013, when he was eight years old and took a Young Eagles flight with Joe Platt in a 1946 Aeronca Champ. Not long after, Emily Westcott flew him as a Young Eagle in her Cessna 172, “Sally.” Emily became a mentor and friend, and today the two fly together all the time, collecting stamps for the Fly Washington Passport Program. Aiden also credits Linda Priddle, whom he met through the Sequim RC Aeronauts, as a mentor and supporter.
Aiden earned his Private Pilot certificate in August 2024 and has built up around 250 hours. In the summer of 2025 he sat in the left seat as Pilot in Command, taking Young Eagles up for their first flights in that very same airplane. He has also organized group fly-outs, including a tour of the CubCrafters factory in Yakima and a fly-out to Roche Harbor, and helped coordinate the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire. His long-term goal is to become a commercial pilot and work in the airlines or corporate aviation.
Read the full story on our Scholarships page
From the February 2026 newsletter
Original story written by Aiden Lara.
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