Special to the WJH The Waycross–Ware County Airport will come alive Saturday, April 25, as “Thrill of the First Flight,” a Georgia-based nonprofit aviation initiative, holds a full day of free discovery flights and hands on aviation experiences for youth ages 8 to 19.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3098 Keen Drive. Registration is free and available in advance at FirstFlightGA.org.
It features free orientation flights, flight simulators, static aircraft displays, meet and greets with pilots, and career insights from aviation professionals.
Local police, fire, and EMS personnel will also be on hand to support the event and interact with families.
The program, founded by John Ratcliff and Dr. Tom Williams, was created to introduce young people to aviation by giving many of them their very first airplane ride. Events across Southeast Georgia have drawn hundreds of participants, with volunteer pilots donating their time, aircraft, and fuel to make the experience possible.
“Thrill of the First Flight” has expanded steadily in recent years, hosting programs in Savannah and Statesboro, and offering scholarships such as the Cousin Itt Award, which provides 16 hours of flight training to selected youth.
