Van’s RV-15

PHOTO BY ANDREW ZABACK

VAN’S AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCES HIGH-WING RV-15

BY CHRISTINA BASKEN

AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF

FOR THE FIRST time, Van’s Aircraft will be manufacturing a high-wing, total performance aircraft, the RV-15.

“We’re pretty excited that here at AirVenture, we’ve opened the curtain to the Van’s skunkworks, and let the community know that the RV-15 will be a high-wing, backcountry-capable, total-performance, all-metal airplane,” said Van’s Aircraft Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Hughes.

Greg said it is very important to Van’s to include the community in what the company is doing.

“There’s been a lot of talk over the last couple years from the community — ‘Here’s what we hope Van’s does; here’s what we think Van’s should do’ — and we wanted to be able to share with our community what we’re doing and the direction we’re going in.”

While there currently aren’t any more details available on the highly anticipated aircraft, Greg said the community is welcome to share their input with the team.

“While the design is fairly well along its way, there’s still a few decisions that we might be able to make, and just hearing people’s input is very valuable to us,” Greg said. “We still have design refinements that our engineering team is working on, and when you change one thing on an airplane, a lot of other things can change, so we don’t want to promise anything to the public. The Van’s engineering methodology is total performance, and takes the time that it takes to get it just right, so when people ask, ‘When is it going to be done?’ When it’s done.”

Greg said that he and the rest of the team are enthusiastic for the future of aviation with the RV-15.

“I’m excited about it; I certainly intend on building one myself,” Greg said.

You can visit Van’s Aircraft at its booth located in the Homebuilt Aircraft Display area.

Youth Volunteers Network While Having Fun

BY ABBY OLENICZAK

AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF

SOME WOULD SAY Sam Glenn, 17, has been volunteering his entire life. He grew up heavily exposed to airplanes and volunteering at AirVenture, where his family helped out at Aeromart. This year he is volunteering on the flightline.

Sam said he not only enjoys getting to know the volunteers, but also the pilots as he greets them upon landing. “It’s part of the Oshkosh experience,” Sam said, “and it’s fun honestly; the people are very friendly.”

A group of young volunteers who flew in from Sacramento, California, is also getting to learn about the Oshkosh experience. Mentors Nick Leonard and Stan Lawrence are part of an informal Young Eagles program associated with Vintage Chapter 25 and are here with the group. Dylan Fricke, Tenley Ong, Tyler Stump, Justin Kaysinger, Angelina Angrisani, and Liam Robinson all had the incredible opportunity to not only attend AirVenture, but also volunteer. All agreed that they were already having a blast before the air show even started.

PHOTOS BY BARBARA A. SCHMITZ

The group arrived Wednesday and has been cleaning and setting up forum buildings, preparing the chapter pavilion, and then checking back in at the volunteer center to see where help is needed next. The group is planning on taking in the air shows the rest of the week and appreciating the events. “We were excited when we were told that we would be volunteering,” said Angelina, 17. “It’s my first time attending the air show and a great opportunity to take advantage of.”

She said she enjoys meeting people with common interests, giving back, and being with her group of friends.

“There is a certain amount of pride being a part of something so huge,” said Liam, 16. “Seeing things, meeting really cool people with unique stories, and relaxing.”

Tyler, 16, said he enjoys volunteering and meeting experienced, knowledgeable people who are interested in talking with the youth.

Many of the young volunteers are with EAA’s new Collegiate Volunteer Program, such as Andrew Lipuma, 18, who attends Colorado State University, studying mechanical engineering. The new program allows college students to build connections within the aviation

Sam Glenn, 17, volunteers daily at the South 40 flightline. Andrew Lipuma

From left, Dylan Fricke, Tenley Ong, Tyler Stump, Justin Kaysinger, Angelina Angrisani, and Liam Robinson flew in from California and have been volunteering throughout the grounds.

community. This is Andrew’s first year volunteering and third year attending AirVenture. On Sunday, he worked in the kitchen, preparing sandwiches for the countless number of volunteers on the grounds. He plans on volunteering for camper registration and on the flightline during the week. “Everyone is very friendly, love the air show, and it’s good to get involved,” Andrew said. His advice to other teens is simple: “Get involved, network … and have fun.”

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Flightline. Operation Thirst. Maintenance. Setup and teardown. Camper registration. Do any of those sound interesting to you? Go to the Volunteer Center in Camp Scholler and ask how you can help. There is a large variety of volunteer opportunities for youth at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, and you won’t only help put on the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, but also have fun. AirVenture takes pride in its abundance of friendly and intentional volunteers who dedicate a portion of their week each year to volunteering. Youth are encouraged to take part in volunteering.