Preparing to depart Brunswick Executive Airport Saturday morning, Bowdoinham’s Bill Saindon, at right, checks gauges and systems before starting the engine of his home-built plane. Saindon flew his Vans RV-3B to the event, hosted by the local Chapter 87 of the Experimental Aircraft Association. In addition to a general meet-and-greet for local pilots, the fly-in was part of the EAA’s Young Eagles program to introduce kids to the wonders of aviation.

About 10 local pilots flew children in 20-minute sight-seeing “hops” over Phippsburg, Popham Beach, Fort Popham and Bath Iron Works before touching down again at BXM.

Wiscasset’s Richard DeVito, who arrived in his 1976 Cessna Skyhawk 172, regularly participates in the spring and fall fly-ins. “I’ve flown probably about 100 kids at the flyins,” he said. “It’s a great time.”

Saturday’s fly-in drew about 30 aircraft and lifted 26 youths on their first-time flights, according to Chapter 87 president Charles Gabelmann.

Chapter 87 holds its meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Meetings usually are held in Hangar Six, 2 Pegasus St., at BXM — except when the group gets together in a member’s barn to discuss or work on a plane project in progress, Gabelmann said. Anyone interested in flight or airplanes is welcome to attend — no pilot’s license is necessary, he added.

Check the group’s website, www.EAAchapter87.org, for more details.