MORAVIA - Hunter James loves airplanes. But Hunter had not flown in one until Sunday afternoon.

While waiting for his turn to go up in a 1947 Piper Cub, Hunter said he wasn't nervous.

“I always wanted to fly,” the seven-year-old said.

Hunter, from Locke, was one of an approximately half-dozen youths who got to take a short ride in a plane as part of the Owasco Airfield Days.

On its final day, the weekend event hosted a rally for the Young Eagles program, which encourages children to become interested in general aviation.

The participants received a short course on the mechanics of aircraft and the principles of flight.

Then, they were taken into the air with certified pilots and were even able to take control for a minute if they wanted.

“It's an introduction to flying to get these kids interested,” said Don Funke, the Young Eagles coordinator with the Ithaca Experimental Aviation Association, which sponsors the national program.

Since it started in 1992, the program has sent 1.4 million children into the skies, Funke said. And he has flown his share of young pilots-to-be, as well.

A licensed pilot, Funke participates in the program by volunteering his time and plane for rallies throughout the area.

“It's another way to open the door to kids who are interested,” he said.

Pilots and aviation enthusiasts of all ages gathered for five days at the Owasco Airfield on Long Hill Road, Moravia, for the Airfield Days. Besides the Young Eagles rally, there were fly-in opportunities for multiple types of aircraft, including fixed wing, rotor, lighter than air, ultralights, powered parachutes and paragliders.

There were landing competitions throughout, and visitors were able to view the aircraft up close.

The Airfield Days also served as a fundraiser for the Long Hill Fire Department and the Moravia Boy Scout Troop 55, and representatives from both helped out during Sunday's chicken barbecue.

Funke said organizers expected as many as 25 or 30 people to take part in the Young Eagles program. The threat of poor weather likely kept many of them at home, he said.

However, the skies cleared up long enough to give the children who came a taste of flight.

Funke said it is always a positive thing when youths participate in the Young Eagles program, no matter the number. Eventually, many of them will eventually fly as a hobby or even a profession.

“Flying is a fun thing to do,” Funke said. “A trip is not just about going somewhere. It's about the adventure of getting there.”

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.