Truckee resident Tom Meadows has flown more than 1,000 Young Eagles, placing him in the top 1 percent of all Experimental Aircraft Association pilots who have flown 100 or more kids.

Meadows, a semi-retired flight instructor, regularly has the kids sit in the left seat as pilot, while he explains what’s happening as they actually fly the plane.

Not only has he flown local youths, but he and wife, Lynn, also a pilot, have flown their Cessna 172 to South Dakota, Iowa, Washington, Florida and Ohio to give kids free flights..

Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program started in 1993 to introduce youths 8-17 to aviation. Since then almost 2 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a free flight from EAA’s network of more 46,000 volunteer pilots.

“One of the best parts of being an EAA member is introducing young people to aviation, and the best part of that is taking them flying. The younger kids are amazed that the cars look like toys, and the older ones are excited to see their house from the air.” Meadows said in a press release.

Pilots are not compensated for their time or aircraft costs.

The local Truckee Chapter has flown over 3,000 Young Eagles in the past 21 years.