Local Youth Take Flight at Third Annual Wally Hale Aviation Day at Imperial County Airport
Imperial County residents gathered at the Imperial County Airport over the weekend for the third annual Wally Hale Aviation Day, an event aimed at introducing local youth to aviation while honoring the legacy of longtime pilot and flight instructor Wally Hale.
According to Imperial County officials, nearly 90 young participants took part in the event, which was held in partnership with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program, members of the local aviation community, and area sponsors. The event concluded earlier than planned following a mechanical incident involving a participating aircraft.
The annual aviation day is held in memory of Wally Hale, who was known for his dedication to mentoring young people interested in flying. His son, Ben Hale, said his father valued the event because “it gave him the opportunity to share his love of flying with the community, especially with kids.”
Peggy Price, Chairwoman of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors for District 3, described the event as “a beautiful experience and a great opportunity for so many children.” She said there were 80 pre-registered participants and an additional 10 walk-ins, all of whom were able to experience flight through the support of volunteer pilots, including some who traveled from outside the region.
The event was cut short after a single-engine aircraft experienced a landing gear issue when its front gear did not deploy. Lt. Col. Mark Nicholson of the Civil Air Patrol said mechanical issues of this nature are known to occur and are part of standard aviation risk management training.
Nicholson explained that standard procedures include flying overhead to verify instrument readings and attempting to manually deploy the landing gear in a designated practice area. He praised the response to the situation, stating that “the Imperial County Airport did a great job handling the situation.” He added that fire and rescue crews were on standby and prepared, noting the incident demonstrated the airport’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies.
County officials and event organizers emphasized that the situation was handled safely and professionally. They also thanked law enforcement, first responders, and emergency personnel for their coordinated response.
Despite the early conclusion, organizers said the event’s overall impact remained positive. David Oshack, a 17-year-old high school senior and EAA Young Eagles volunteer, said the event played a significant role in his own aviation journey. “Events like this open up so many opportunities in the world of aviation,” Oshack said.
Oshack shared that he previously met a pilot at an Aviation Day event who later connected him with a scholarship. He said he has since begun flight training and expects to earn his pilot’s license within the next few months. He credited the event, coordinated by Robbie Phillips, with helping introduce young people to aviation opportunities.
The Civil Air Patrol Squadron 499 also participated by providing aerospace education. Nicholson said the program offers aviation, aerospace education, and leadership training for youth ages 12 to 21. Squadron 499 meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Imperial County Airport terminal, with new sessions beginning January 22.
County officials said events like Wally Hale Aviation Day continue to highlight local efforts to inspire and educate the next generation of aviators in Imperial County.
