Youngsters can get an official license to fly a witch's broomstick at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire on Oct. 19. Courtesy photo/Aviation Museum of New Hampshire

LONDONDERRY — Long before the Wright Brothers took to the sky, the original aviators were witches with their broomsticks.

This Halloween, local youngsters can join in the airborne black magic by getting an official Broomstick Pilot License from the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire.

Broomstick Pilot Licenses will be issued on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aviation Museum, 27 Navigator Rd.

Kids ages 12 and under may obtain a license for free. Admission charges apply for visitors ages 13 and older.

“We’re delighted to give families a way to prepare for Halloween by being the regional bureau for official Broomstick Pilot Licenses,” said Jeffrey Rapsis, the museum’s executive director.

At the museum, applicants for Broomstick Pilot License must first go through a brief “ground school” prior to getting a license.

Applicants will meet the ghosts of past aviation pioneers, who will describe their achievements and explain basic principles of flight.

Spirits on hand will include the ghosts of legendary aviators Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Alan Shepard, who will describe their exploits and achievements.

Each ghost will reward young broomstick pilots with Halloween treats after listening to a brief talk.

Broomstick Pilot Licenses will be issued under the authority of Glenda the Witch, the Aviation Museum’s Official Broomstick Check Pilot, who will be on hand to greet applicants and supervise the licensing process.

Headshots will be taken of each applicant for their license, which will be awarded at the completion of ground school.

A typical visit to obtain a license will last 20 minutes, although visitors are welcome to stay at the museum longer.

Glenda the Witch recommends applicants come dressed in their Halloween costumes to improve chances of getting a license.

Each license, which will be valid on Oct. 31, entitles the bearer to operate any broomstick or broomstick-like device for aviation purposes only.

“Just like regular pilots, anyone wishing to fly a broomstick or broomstick-like device must obtain an official license,” said Rapsis. “We’re honored to act as the official bureau for Broomstick Pilot Licenses in New Hampshire.”