Consider this a moment of testing their “wings.”

A quartet of local youths who recently earned their Eagle Scout ranks got a treat Sunday, May 7, getting helicopter rides to a ceremony honoring two of their own at the Sequim Valley Airport.

Friends and family last weekend honored Troop 90 Eagle Scouts Silas Baird and Grant Pierson, who achieved their Eagle rank earlier this year.

They were joined by fellow Scouts Thomas McCulloch and Hayden Crane, who earned their rank in 2016.

For the Scouts and families it was the culmination of hundreds of hours of activities and community service, dozens of merit badges and more for the youths, all of them high school seniors.

Pierson, who plans to attend the United States Military Academy after graduating in June, built a shed for the American Legion Post in Sequim for his culminating Eagle Scout project.

He said he’ll take plenty away from his experiences as a Scout, particularly, “being prepared, being ready and checking everything twice … valuing the outdoors, savoring shared experiences — especially troop activities — and giving back to others in general.

“I’m just really thankful,” he said.

Baird, who completed a painting project at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse for his Eagle Scout project, plans on attending Walla Walla Community College in the fall to study diesel technology.

He said he learned through Scouting skills such as leadership and communication, and in particular public speaking, an area he said with which he struggles.

When it comes to a career, however, Baird said he doesn’t plan on doing much talking.

“I love messing with cars,” he said. “I like to work with my hands. I’ve always been more of a hands-on type of guy.”

Crane (see story below) completed several projects at Sequim High School to earn his Eagle Scout rank in late 2016 and plans to attend Washington State University in the fall to study hardware engineering.

For his Eagle Scout project, McCulloch completed two signs at the far ends of town listing community groups in the fall of 2015 to earn his rank in June of last year.

He said he learned from Scouting the value of perseverance, particularly after being stuck at a “Life” ranking for a couple of years before finally advancing.

McCulloch said he plans on attending Washington State University to pursue a medical degree, with the idea of someday becoming a pediatrician.

On Sunday, Troop 90 Scoutmaster Rene Nadon led the festivities as local pilot Bryon Gunnerson gave helicopter rides. The Eagle Scouts also led a flag retirement ceremony, disposing of a weathered, well-worn flag owned by a Pearl Harbor survivor.

“This was neat; it’s an experience not a lot of people get to experience themselves,” McCulloch said.