27th Annual Airport Awareness program sees many happy first-time flyers

Bernie Marvin

A family observes a plane participating in the recent Dean Memorial Airport Awareness Day program as it taxies into position prior to taking off with two first-time flyers aboard. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

North Haverhill, NH – The weather gods were in splendid moods last Saturday, September 12, 2026, as they allowed clear and crisp weather with light breezes to settle over the area, allowing the 27th Annual Airport Awareness Day to launch from 11 AM to 4 PM.

That's the time window needed to operate successfully, according to airport officials involved in this popular, long-time program. The day's activities have many moving parts, and they all have to click for the program to succeed. I have covered every one of the Airport Awareness Day’s events from the start. It has been a good experience.

This year everything came together perfectly, as kids and parents who attended the event were introduced to the magic of first-time flying. For that, youngsters receive a Young Eagles certificate that places them in the ranks of the official National Young Eagles program.

A dedicated group of flying enthusiasts coordinated the day's busy events and continues to volunteer their time to the pastime, whether they are part of the Civil Air Patrol or members of the Airport Zoning Commission.

They were there for initial briefings for the eight pilots who flew their aircraft to Dean Memorial Airport to participate in the program and give first rides to the waiting kids. It is always exciting to see anxious youngsters await their initial ride in an airplane, like so many others before them who have attended the Airport Awareness Day program over the past 27 years.

Airport Awareness Day official and long-time Airport Zoning Commission member Matt Bjelobrk told Bridge Weekly during the program Saturday that the Medical Rescue UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was on site throughout, along with displays from the Haverhill Fire Department, Police Department, and EMS units.

He said food was available, as it is every year, and the Civil Air Patrol Cadets were also there to

assist any units asking for help; they also worked on the parking situation for cars entering the airport venue from Airport Road.

The Young Eagles Program launched nationally in 1992 and has been part of the first Airport Awareness action since the program began in North Haverhill in 1999. Former US Air Force pilot, the late Joel Godston, instituted the Young Eagles program locally, mainly because of his friendship with Young Eagles Board Chairman at the time, test pilot Chuck Yeager.

Godston also helped establish a well-endowed scholarship program and provided a steady hand to help run the program until he and his wife, Anne Marie, relocated outside the area.

Today, Young Eagles has ensured that more than 2.5 million youngsters have taken a free plane trip introduced to them through the Young Eagles program. This has been an important option for youth aged 8 to 17 years. No doubt because of the Young Eagles program locally, many have explored aviation through both civilian and military programs.