OXFORD – For private pilot Dave Dibbell, one of life’s greatest joys is flying the private plane he keeps hangared at Norwich’s Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport. Another, is sparking a similar interest in flying in others, particularly kids.

“We like to encourage boys and girls who have an interest in aviation,” said Dibbell, who has coordinates the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter’s Young Eagles program. Through the program, he and other volunteer pilots provide free flights to children age 8 to 17 in conjunction with Airport Day at the Norwich airport.

This year’s event is scheduled for June 11, and Dibbell is already out spreading the word about the Young Eagles program. On Monday, he found a captive audience at the Oxford Middle School when he visited the Oxford After School Program.

Run by the Oxford Community Youth Center, the ASP provides a safe place for middle schoolers to go after the school day at no charge to parents. The program runs from 2:25 to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday; during which students get homework help, a healthy snack and enjoy a variety of afternoon activities.

According to ASP Director B.J. Ross, throughout the school year individuals like Dibbell are invited to give presentations or demonstrations on topics of interest to the students. In the first half of the school year, for example, a martial instructor visited the ASP twice to give demonstrations.