Goodyear Blimp

PHOTO BY DENNIS BIELA

TOP STORY

GOODYEAR BLIMP RETURNS FOR APPEARANCE AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2021

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & Rubber Co.’s newest airship, Wingfoot Three, will continue a long tradition of Oshkosh Goodyear appearances with a visit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, scheduled for July 26-August 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Goodyear’s Wingfoot Three is scheduled to arrive in Oshkosh on Monday, July 26, and will be on display and be flying at various times during the event until Saturday, July 31. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, Wingfoot Three pilots will also participate at a variety of events, as AirVenture is one of the few air shows on the Goodyear blimp schedule this year.

“Through the years, there’s a special excitement when attendees arrive at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and one of the first sights they see is the iconic Goodyear blimp parked on the grounds or in the air overhead,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of programs, chapters, education, and museum, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Goodyear has been an important AirVenture exhibitor for many years, and it’s always great to see that Oshkosh has made the ‘blimp-worthy’ list of America’s major events.”

Wingfoot Three is the newest addition to the Goodyear blimp fleet, as it was first flown in June 2018. It marked the completion of the full fleet to the New Technology (NT) platform. The blimp was manufactured by Germany’s ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik and assembled by a team of Zeppelin and Goodyear engineers. It represented the first major structural change of a Goodyear blimp in nearly 70 years.

The Wingfoot Three appearance continues a 50-year tradition of Goodyear airship appearances at EAA’s fly-in convention. The first Goodyear blimp appearance at the EAA fly-in was in 1971, when the airship America came to Oshkosh. Several generations of Goodyear blimps have flown to and over EAA fly-ins since then.

Goodyear Aviation will also continue its participation as an EAA AirVenture exhibitor in 2021 in the Main Aircraft Display area, Exhibit 489.

Goodyear’s aerial coverage of marquee events in 2021 has already included the numerous NASCAR, PGA, and NBA events. The Goodyear blimp has been honored with induction as an honorary member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the first nonplayer or coach to be inducted. More information is available at GoodyearBlimp.com.

THE OFFICIAL DAILY NEWSPAPER OF EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH

PUBLISHER: Jack J. Pelton VP, PUBLICATIONS, MARKETING, & MEMBERSHIP: Jim Busha MANAGING EDITOR: Hal Bryan EDITORIAL STAFF: Christina Basken, Kayla Floyd, Erin Henze, Frederick A. Johnsen, Sam Oleson, Barb Schmitz SENIOR COPY EDITOR: Colleen Walsh COPY EDITOR: Jennifer Knaack GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Cordell Walker, Julee Schampers PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrew Zaback ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sue Anderson AirVenture Today is published during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, July 25-August 1, 2021. It is distributed free on the convention grounds as well as other locations in Oshkosh and surrounding communities. Stories and photos are Copyrighted 2021 by AirVenture Today and EAA. Reproduction by any means is prohibited without written consent.

OSHKOSH MOMENTS

Meet the Winners of the Pilot Your Own Adventure Writing Contest

WHEN THE CALL for stories about pilots’ favorite aviation adventures went out in April 2021, we didn’t expect to get so many entries. Out of the 267 stories sent in, five winners were chosen. Their stories cover a variety of adventures all around the world, but all captured The Spirit of Aviation.

Fifth prize winner is Erica Zangwill, EAA 1394520, of North Carolina. Erica’s story takes readers with her and her husband, Brandon, as they fly around the country — literally! “I feel excited and very, very lucky to have this opportunity,” Erica said. “I’m also excited to attend my very first AirVenture — we’ve literally been counting the days!”

Fourth prize winner is Tucker Axum of California with a story of friendship. Tucker began flying in 1999, and he spends his days working as both as a special agent for the U.S. government and as an author. With a life filled with adventure, Tucker hopes to inspire people with his story. “I wrote [my] story to inspire people to be adventurous and to show the importance of friendship,” Tucker said.

Third prize winner is Michael Gerhardt, EAA 498733, of Alabama for his story about a father-son adventure. Originally from South Africa, Michael has been flying since 1978, looking for adrenaline rushes the entire time. His favorite part of flying adventures like this one is the natural beauty he gets to see. “This country is gorgeous,” Michael said. “There’s aspects of it that one … tends to forget in the concrete jungles in our cities.”

Second prize winner is Sheera Kaizerman of Massachusetts and her whirlwind of a story. Earning her pilot certificate not long after the story took place, Sheera loved being able to retell her exciting journey. “I always meant to write more about it and never did, so this was a really great outlet,” Sheera said.

First prize winner is Peter Shannon, EAA 1248421, of California for his step into the past. Peter has been flying since 1994, but this journey taught him something new about flying. “It was kind of like opening a new window with flying,” Peter said. “There’s so many windows into the history of this country and the ways to see it, and it’s really unique when you’re in a GA aircraft.”

PHOTO BY BAILEY FARRELL, PHOTOS COURTESY OF CONTESTANTS

1st Prize Peter Shannon

2nd Prize Sheera Kaizerman

3rd Prize Michael Gerhardt

4th Prize Tucker Axum

5th Prize Erica Zangwill