More than three hundred students turned out for the Marine Corps' free flights at the Delaware County Airport Wednesday. Only 50 were able to fly.
The program, which is offered in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Missouri, on average draws about 20 to 25 people, Capt. Brett Hart said.
"We consider 25 students a good day," Hart said. "This is the most response we've seen anywhere; it's overwhelming." The free program allowed students to ride in a Twin-Piper Navajo, which seats six people, and to fly the plane. The program started at 10 a.m. and was supposed to last until 3 p.m. Hart said they had to start scheduling appointments by 11 a.m.
Because the flights lasted 30 minutes, they weren't able to give everyone a chance to fly in the aircraft, even though they extended the program until 5:30 p.m. There was so much interest in the program that Hart plans to have one or two more in Muncie this semester, he said. Hart said that next time, though, appointments will be required. While most students who didn't arrive in time left, some waited in case someone else canceled his or her appointment.
Adam Kankins, a junior, arrived at 12:30 p.m. to find there were no more openings. He decided to stay and ended up making it onto the 4 p.m. flight. "I've never really flown before, and I thought it would be a good time for me to try something new," Kankins said. Hart said it was the first time in an airplane for many students.
"The best part of the day has been seeing people take their first ride," Hart said. Junior Stacie Burkhart said that even though she had never flown in such a small airplane, she wasn't scared at all. "It's something different with a splash of adrenaline," Burkhart said. While Kankins waited for his turn, he said he was slightly afraid.
"I'm not sure what to expect," he said. "I'm afraid someone's going to get sick, and hopefully it's not me." About one person got sick every flight, Hart said. After the flight, Kankins said he enjoyed flying and the view. Capt. Matt Beckett flew the students about 1000 feet over Delaware County, low enough that they could easily see the landscape. Many students welcomed the chance to actually take control of the plane.
"(Flying) was probably one of the most enjoyable things I ever did," senior Joy Grow said. "It was really pretty easy, but you were so far above the ground."
Though students were allowed to actually fly the plane, they were constantly watched by Beckett.
While most students took the opportunity to fly, the flights were part of the Marine Corps' officer recruitment program.
"I grew up wanting to fly, but I didn't have the money," Hart said. "The Marines gave me that chance."
The program was geared toward Ball State students because to be enrolled in the officer program, candidates must be full-time college students or college graduates, although anyone could take part in the flights.
Hart said that while 90 percent of the participants were students, there were a few community members, including a seven-year-old girl.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
