SATURDAY, JULY 27,
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG VANDER KOLK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBBIE CULVER
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LIKE MANY OF you reading these words, I have been to Oshkosh often. It’s my annual summer aviation addiction — I see it’s yours, too. For those of you new to the event, welcome to this year’s version of your annual family reunion. Many of us literally plan our summers around how to spend as much time at Oshkosh as we can. The commitment is worth it every year. Come for the airplanes; come back for the people. Good to see you, my friends!
From the evening parties in Camp Scholler, to the early morning departures, and the 7 a.m. yodeling, here we are — the world’s larg est, greatest aviation celebration! Out on the flight line, wandering through the exhibit buildings, sitting in a seminar, or checking out the museum, we immerse ourselves in the experience.
Weeks of planning and hoping for good weather came down to trying to beat a front sweeping into Texas from the northwest. An end run around some big cells, ducking under some layers, and I was past the worst of it. I was on my way to Oshkosh! Every crosscountry trip comes complete with surprises and rerouting, and this year was certainly no exception.
My first day’s destination was Clinton, Missouri (KGLY). Certainly within reach, it just took some (literally) on-the-fly creative planning to get there. The air-conditioned hotel room was a welcome relief from a day of bouncing along in the summer heat, and as I fell asleep, I was thinking of what led to this adventure.
We are a unique group, homebuilders. We put hands and hearts to our project,
PUBLISHER: Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO & Chairman of the Board
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MANAGING EDITOR: Hal Bryan
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EDITORIAL STAFF: Robbie Culver, Jim Roberts, Barb Schmitz
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spend endless hours planning, doing, building, and then flying our creations. We pour every ounce of physical energy, emotional investment, and financial commitment into these machines that become a part of us — they quite literally
have our DNA. Safety wire, indeed. Our hearts are full at each completed task, each checkbox on a list that never seems to end. Until, one day, it does end. We find ourselves at the end of one journey, with the next one beginning.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kaitlin Piette
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SENIOR SALES AND ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE: Sue Anderson
SONEX / PAGE 4
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY ROBBIE CULVER
AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
When I was young, I attended with my family, and somewhere in one ofplane began with words whispered by my brother Mike: “Someone built that airplane in their garage.” Those words germinated in my soul for years, until one day my wife suggested I follow through on the dream and actually build the airplane I dreamt of. Who am I to argue when my wife suggests such a
I visit Mike’s memorial brick at the Brown Arch every day I am here in Oshkosh. Maybe you have other bricks
From 2011 to 2015 Jon and I built a Sonex in our garage, in the suburbs of Chicagoland. I made the first flight in 2015 and flew it from Aurora, Illinois (KARR) to Oshkosh in 2016. A dream come true. Mike passed away January 20, atic cancer and wasn’t around to celebrate with me in homebuilt parking
SNOWBIRDS AIR SHOW CROWD LINE WILL BE IN EFFECT TODAY
AirVenture visitors, volunteers, and pilots should be aware that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds performances require a larger aerobatic box necessitating a move of the crowd line to the west during the afternoon air shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 26, 27, and 28.
CROWD LINE IN EFFECT AFTER:
> 1:15 p.m. on Friday, July 26
> 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 27
> Noon on Sunday, July 28
Every cross-country trip comes complete with surprises and rerouting, and this year was certainly no exception.
Fast-forward to 2024, and my wife and I have relocated to an airpark in Frankston, Texas (T25/TX1), where we built a hangar home. I decided to fly the Sonex back to Oshkosh this year. I am always up for a good aviation adventure, and this one didn’t disappoint.
The next morning I departed KGLY under sunny skies in much cooler temperatures. A few minutes into the first leg, I pulled back my canopy shade to get some free solar heating. I was actually cold!
My routine when planning a crosscountry leg is to ensure I never land with anything close to minimum fuel. My Sonex holds 16 gallons of 100LL and
OWNER AND CREW ACCESS TO AIRCRAFT REQUIRES A SECURITY ESCORT TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL TASKS:
> 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
> Noon to 2:45 p.m. on Sunday
ABSOLUTELY NO ACCESS:
> 4:30 p.m. to end of air show Friday and Saturday
> 2:45 p.m. to end of air show Sunday
toward your future
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4 / SONEX
burns right around 6 gallons an hour, so I try to be on the ground before I hit the two-hour mark. At 59 years old, my bladder also has a vote in this.
This paid o well as one of the day’s fuel stops had … no fuel — the pumps had no power. The locals in the hangar growled at me that it was NOTAM’d, but I politely disagree since I actually look for that. Regardless, I hopped back in and set up for a short flight to another local airport where I hoped there was fuel. There was no NOTAM, but also no one answered the phone. I got there to find the pumps working. Whew!
Growing up in Wisconsin, my family spent many weekends exploring the southwest corner of the state. My route of flight from Iowa into Illinois and then Wisconsin took me over familiar territory, including where my ancestors settled in the 1830s. I gave them a silent salute as I passed right over the family cemetery along Highway 14. That was an unexpected bonus.
What better way to arrive than being told there was a DC-3 on right downwind to base for 36L, keep it above them, cleared to land on the red square on 36R (the “skinny runway”).
By early afternoon, I had landed at Baraboo-Wisconsin Dells (KDLL) for my final fuel stop before the Fisk arrival. I was tired and hungry, and wondering how and where I could find lunch. As usual, the good fairies of aviation waved their magic wand. There, in a hangar adjacent to the FBO, was a guy serving good old-fashioned Wisconsin brats, complete with a dog named Jake who seemed eager to join me for lunch. Unfortunately for Jake, I was very hungry and did not share, although he did give it his doggy best.
I went back for a second one, and much to Jake’s dismay, I still did not share.
Departing DLL, I headed straight to Endeavor Bridge to start the arrival. I
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verified my altimeter setting, descended to 1,800 feet MSL, and slowed to 90 knots. The arrival corridor was not that busy, with only a few other aircraft visible or displayed via ADS-B. Making my way to Ripon, then up the tracks to Fisk, I was laser focused on staying on speed and at altitude, while scanning for tra c and keeping an eye on my outs if things went bad.
Approaching Fisk, I was asked to rock my wings (Yes!), and then given a right turn and reminder to keep the microwave tower o my right wing. Ahead of me, I saw it — the show grounds, shining in the sunshine like a midsummer dream. I switched to tower as instructed, listening and building my mental picture of the situation.
What better way to arrive than being told there was a DC-3 on right downwind to base for 36L, keep it above them, cleared to land on the red square on 36R (the “skinny runway”). It sounds crazy, but it worked perfectly — I stayed high, they descended, and I landed by the red square as instructed. (What? No dot?)
I apologize for being too literal, as ATC told me to keep my speed up and roll to the end, which I did. This resulted in me holding short of 9/27 and having to turn around again. Sorry folks, I did what you asked even if it’s not what you meant. “Progressive taxi, please.” As I taxied in to homebuilt parking and shut down, the wonderful volunteer gave me the parking spot I asked for. I reveled in the moment — I made it to AirVenture again, in an airplane I built, across the country I love. What incredible freedom we have!
The marshaler came up and out came those magic words we all love to hear: “Welcome to Oshkosh!”
Meet us at our booth on Celebration Way or at cirrus.link/hiring
What Makes a Family
Celebrating
BY EMME HORNUNG AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
WHEN LEN PERRY decided to learn to fly at 35 years old, his wife, Helena, figured it was a midlife crisis. But it was never a phase for Len; his infatuation with things that fly started when he was a kid. Growing up in Cincinnati, he’d ride his bike down to the Ohio River, pay 10 cents for a ferry ride across, and make his way to the airport to watch takeo s and landings. And when he learned to fly, aviation became a way of life not just for him, but for his entire family.
Melissa Perry, EAA 1061919, Len’s daughter, recalls a childhood surrounded by airplanes and the aviation community at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. “I don’t remember anything before my dad got into aviation. Really, the first memories I have are being in an airplane with him,” she said. “I understand from other people that it’s not a normal childhood to do your homework in the back seat of a 172. But hey, it worked for me.”
Len and the family went on many adventures together (if you run into them in Camp Scholler, ask to hear a story!), spreading the aviation fever to his wife and kids. Helena herself even learned to fly, and Melissa started flight training before she learned how to drive. Now, the aviation fever has spread to the third generation with grandson Liam Farnsworth, who hopes to start flight training after he graduates from high school next year.
Aviation also added a new side of the family for the Perrys. “That’s the really neat thing about pilots is it’s just like an extended family. That’s how the flying community is,” Helena said. “We were coming up here to Oshkosh, and Melissa
“That’s the really neat thing about pilots is it’s just like an extended family. That’s how the flying community is.” — Helena Perry
tells me, ‘Mom, you’re going to go meet thousands of new friends.’”
Sadly, Len passed away four weeks ago today; it would have been his 79th birthday today.
“My dad, he never got to go to Oshkosh. We had this whole grand trip planned in 2020, and that darn COVID canceled our air show,” Melissa said. “It was such a love of his that he shared with our entire family, and we haven’t been the same since falling in love with aviation. I just wanted to bring my dad here so he can be a part of Oshkosh.”
The Perrys brought with them some of Len’s cremains so he could experience this aviation family reunion in spirit. “And with my mom’s favorite, the Snowbirds, being here on Saturday, I told her, ‘What a better way to celebrate his birthday than you watching the planes you love the most?’” Melissa said. “And as my mom said, we’ll be watching from the ground, and my dad is watching from above.”
Happy birthday, Len, and welcome to Oshkosh.
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MELISSA PERRY
NEW HEIGHTS.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
The First of Many AirVentures SeaRey to Oshkosh
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
Julio Julia, a Puerto Rican native, flew his 2021 SeaRey Elite (N287PY) across the country from Florida to Oshkosh, which is believed to be the longest seaplane flight to EAA this year. Julio said he loves the views of flying and takes long journeys often, exploring the world, and has done so every summer since purchasing his seaplane, including his first trip to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh!
Julio’s father was a commercial pilot for both helicopters and aircraft, and so Julio grew up loving aviation. “I was born into aviation. That’s all I knew all my life,” he explained. “I always wanted to become a pilot.”
Julio is a retired veteran of 22 years. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and served in Desert Storm. In an attempt to follow in his dad’s footsteps, Julio enlisted in the Army in hopes of becoming a pilot. His world was changed when the military o ered him a full scholarship for a master’s degree in healthcare administration. He accepted the o er, and his dreams of flying were temporarily halted.
Now Julio owns and operates hospitals in Puerto Rico, so he is constantly flying between there and Florida.
After retiring from the military Julio began flight training. In 2008 he earned his pilot certificate, in 2013 his helicopter rating, and most recently his seaplane rating in 2016.
With his certificate and ratings, Julio has been flying aircraft nonstop, including volunteering in Puerto Rico during hurricanes, bringing medical supplies and providing rescue services. He also takes a ritual two-week vacation to enjoy flying his seaplane.
The SeaRey was custom-made to resemble an Air Force F-35 in honor of Julio’s time in the military, and he keeps it in Orlando, the “American Seaplane City,” which makes for easier travel.
Julio is enjoying his time at AirVenture and plans to spend most of it at the Seaplane Base with his aircraft.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN PIETTE
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PRETTY (AND STRONG) IN PINK
Giving strength to women around the world
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
THE PINK AIRPLANE that can be spotted from around the grounds is the first of its kind, making its world debut at AirVenture 2024. With a fresh pink paint job only 1 week old, the L-39 Albatros is already attracting many viewers on the runway.
On Friday, Make-A-Wish sponsored a young 8-year-old boy to meet Heather Penney and for a cabin climb in the pink Albatros.
“The Pink Jet” is not just a pretty airplane; it is also a symbol for every woman struggling with breast cancer. Steve Oakley, EAA 1417153, is the founder of Aerial Angels out of Burbank, California, with his wife, Jamie Oakley, EAA 1417154. The nonprofit organization supports awareness for breast cancer and encourages early detection and screening for young women.
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | Forum Stage 11: DeltaHawk Engines AROUND
The inspiration for the organization sparked from a client Steve had while working as a trust attorney who was a breast cancer radiologist for 25 years. “One day she said, ‘I’ve checked and examined thousands and thousands of women. I found out today I have Stage 3 breast cancer,’” Steve expressed. “She went through a double mastectomy.”
Steve said it would be impossible for him and his wife to do this alone. They have been blessed with donations and are supported by countless volunteers who dedicate their time to the cause. The pink paint job was donated by Barbara Baldwin from Dean Baldwin Painting, and a line of women pilots were eager to help as well, including Heather Penney, Vicky Benzing, and Stephanie Goetz.
“A lot of people put in a lot of love, talent, skill, and time, and they’re bringing this to life,” Steve explained. “We’re just so proud of all the people who have helped and its
mission. If we can save one life, then it’s all worth it.”
Stephanie was in charge of flying the jet to Oshkosh for the grand debut and is inspired by the cause it is supporting. The Pink Jet is for breast cancer awareness, but it’s also a symbol to young women in aviation that you can be girly and still be strong.
As a pilot, Stephanie is proud to fly in the air shows and to “show this as really a beacon of hope and strength and inspiration for those who are struggling with breast cancer, those who have loved ones who have it, or those who know someone who does,” she explained.
“A lot of young girls (and boys) are drawn to this,” Stephanie said. “I see them running across the ramp over here (saying), ‘Pink, Mommy, I want to see that.’”
“We have two daughters ourselves, and we’ve always tried to empower them, let
them know that there’s no roadblock,” Steve said. “You can do anything you want. The only block is in (your mind), and you’re the only one who can remove that.”
To repurpose the airplane from a typical military jet, a weapon of war, to a weapon of peace was an obvious choice for Steve and Aerial Angels, making something for young girls to believe in. “Now it flies as a symbol of strength, hope, compassion, and resilience, which personifies people who are battling breast cancer,” he said.
Learn more about MOSAIC’s proposed rulemaking and EAA’s efforts to advocate for changes to make flying and aircraft ownership more attainable and affordable for you!
SATURDAY, JULY 27
ASK THE EXPERT
8 a.m.–12 p.m. | EAA Member Center
LEARNING TO FLY RECREATIONALLY: SPORT PILOT/LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT 2.0
8:30–9:45 a.m. | WomenVenture Center
MOSAIC AND WHAT IT MEANS TO FLIGHT SCHOOLS AND INDEPENDENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | EAA Learn to Fly Center
MOSAIC FOR PRIVATE AND SPORT PILOTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN PIETTE
Jeppesen’s new Private Pilot training materials for 2024 are here! Get ready for the skies with industry updates and enhanced learning tools. Discounts available until Aug. 2, 2024.
Stop by the Boeing Pavilion (Booth #747) or visit services.boeing.com for promotions.
German Pilot and Author Revisits AirVenture
BY BARBARA A. SCHMITZ AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
KATHRIN KAISER ISN’T sure why she loves flying. But growing up in East Germany with its barbed wire and secret police, she felt like she was a prisoner at times since she wasn’t allowed to travel until the Berlin Wall came down in late 1989.
“Now that the border is open and I can travel, I feel sometimes that the world is not large enough for me,” said Kathrin, who flew from Germany to AirVenture in 2024 for the second time in her Grumman AA-5 Traveler.
Kathrin first became interested in aviation after taking a sightseeing flight. “I decided to become a pilot during this flight, and the next step was to sell my horse as I needed money for the license and training. Luckily, I work for the government as a civil servant so the bank would give me a loan.”
BOOK SIGNING TODAY
Kathrin Kaiser will be signing her book, Halfway Around the World in 40 Days, at the EAA Wearhouse on Saturday at 1 p.m. You can also get the book at her airplane parked in Row 152 of the North 40.
Since earning her pilot license four years ago, she’s flown to 42 countries over four continents and has logged 1,200 flight hours.
“My first trip was to North Cape (in northern Norway). And when I got back, I decided I wanted to do long journeys.”
She spent 20 hours preparing for her first flight to the United States. She earned additional licenses and took survival training, in case she had to ditch in the
In her book, Halfway Around the World in 40 Days, Kathrin Kaiser wrote about the “love letters” left in her tent at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022. So on her second trip to Oshkosh, one of her fans made her a real mailbox that she put by her airplane. KAISER
water. She saved money, a little each month, and she had di culty finding insurance as her airplane was old, a single-engine, and she was still fresh in aviation and a woman, she said.
Her first trip included some surprises. The biggest one occurred flying over the Atlantic, she said, since she had to fly at only 200-300 feet altitude at times and could see whales.
She also ran into some dangers. Once, she saw a mirage over an ice cap and became disoriented. Between Greenland and Canada, she was surrounded by rocky ice clouds, making travel treacherous.
The single mother of two boys, ages 10 and 16, decided to write a book, Halfway Around the World in 40 Days, about her travels. She worked on it at night once the kids were asleep and had it self-published in both German and English in 2023.
“In the book, I don’t talk about the technical flying stu ,” Kathrin said. “I talk about emotions, weather, spots where I landed, and the people I met. I write about my fears, my happiness, and some very personal stu .”
Her 2024 trip to America was much easier as she had already done the planning and preparation. To save money, she flew from friend to friend so she didn’t have to pay for accommodations. She departed Germany on June 21, and 39 hours later, was in North America. She entered America
in New Hampshire, flew the Hudson, and circled Lady Liberty in New York. She even stopped at Grumman Fleet Support in Texas and “learned a lot” about how to maintain her airplane.
Her next plan is to fly around the world. “I can’t do that at the moment because of the political situation in the world,” Kathrin said.
And she’ll need to get her engine overhauled as well before she makes that flight, she added.
So why does she fly? In her book, she explained: “Flying is a skill, but the decisions made during such a journey transform a person. This expedition made me feel more alive than ever before ….”
“Now that the border is open and I can travel, I feel sometimes that the world is not large enough for me.” — Kathrin Kaiser
Kathrin Kaiser puts stickers of all the countries she’s visited on her Grumman AA-5 Traveler since she started flying.
Flying from Germany to the United States is a long trip by yourself, so Kathrin Kaiser brought along a stuffed tiger that she admits to talking to on some of the longer legs of her travels.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
MEDIC!
First aid services on the grounds
ONE
GREAT LOCATION to shop your favorite stores AND MORE GREAT STORES!
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JIM ROBERTS
AT ANY GATHERING as large as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, you’re bound to have the usual run of bumps, scrapes, cuts, and occasionally more life-threatening episodes. To find out how EAA handles these events, I spoke with some of the professionals who volunteer to help keep us all upright.
Connie Campbell, who has been an RN (registered nurse) for over 30 years, is the chairman of EAA Medical, and she captains a crew of nearly 150 volunteers who sta two first aid clinics: one just northeast of the control tower, and another in Camp Scholler near Red One Market Central. The sta includes nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and physicians, using response equipment including local ambulances, ATVs, and Gators.
3001 S. Washburn St • Oshkosh, WI 54904 (920) 231-4561 • www.TheShopsatOshkosh.com
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Monday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm Sunday: 10am - 6pm
Holiday and store hours may vary, please visit our website.
If you report to a first aid clinic, you’ll first be seen on the front porch, and if you’re lucky, the problem will be treated on the spot. Connie calls this the “Band-Aids and blisters” scenario, where over 3,000 people find relief each year. More serious cases are ushered inside, where small private exam stations are set up. Around 500 people make it to this stage annually.
More serious cases may include chest pains, strokes, kidney stones, and appendicitis. These folks are triaged in the clinic and then transported to a local hospital. And, she cautioned, “If you have chest pain or if someone passes out, call 911 …. Serious accidents or broken bones, call 911.” If you need help getting to the clinic and it’s not a lifethreatening situation, contact EAA Security, and they’ll arrange a ride.
Like all EAA groups, the medical sta includes folks from all walks of life. You may be examined by a
physician who was a flight surgeon for NASA astronauts, or a doctor who is a member of the Las Vegas police SWAT team. There’s a mother and daughter team here who personify the EAA family: RN Doris Brockman is in her 23rd year as a medical volunteer. Her daughter Esther, also an RN, is here for the first time and said, “It’s like a dream come true. I’ve wanted to serve as a nurse here for the longest time.”
Carole Holtmeier is celebrating her 50th year volunteering with the team. She’s an administrative specialist who makes sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s crossed. Carole said she got her love for aviation “as a hostess for TWA, flying on the DC-3, Martin 404, and Lockheed Constellation.” A sprightly 95-year-old, her last aerial adventure was parasailing in Jamaica in 2018.
Dr. Joe Simpson is in his ninth year as a medical volunteer. Of working at EAA Medical, he said, “It’s been a wonderful experience. The medical sta are great people, and they’re all very dedicated to their job. And the people we take care of are quite grateful for the services we provide.”
Dr. Joe noted, “We’re the first line of triage for a lot of people, and everybody wants to be at the show, and everybody wants to stay at the show, but once in a while someone will have a fairly serious medical condition. We have our ‘high-suspicion antenna’ out for things like that, and when a life-threatening case arises, we’ll stabilize them and get them to a local medical facility and probably save their lives.”
There’s no better outcome than that.
AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
Carole Holtmeier is celebrating her 50th anniversary as an EAA Medical volunteer.
L-R: Connie Campbell, with volunteers Esther and Doris Brockman, Elis Long, Carole Holtmeier, and local EMTs.
RN Esther Brockman, with mom Doris Brockman, also an RN.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
THE SOUND OF FREEDOM
An operating Allison engine display in Warbirds
BY JIM ROBERTS
IT’S NOT EVERY day you get to see and hear an aircraft engine that helped win World War II. Thanks to four dedicated volunteers, a 12-cylinder liquid-cooled Allison V-1710 engine is singing out loud near EAA Warbirds in Review.
During WWII, over 69,000 of the 1,500-hp engines powered aircraft as diverse as the Bell P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed P-38 Lightning, North American P-51 Mustang, and North American F-82 Twin Mustang. Except for engines still in service, few examples remain of a stand-alone powerplant.
The story begins in 2022, when EAA Aircraft Maintenance Manager John Hopkins found himself with a recently overhauled V-1710 that had been removed from a replica Spitfire on display in EAA’s Eagle Hangar. Enter four volunteers: Paul Adams, Bruce Grumstrup, Charlie Tejchma, and Bob Viltz. The four were veterans of EAA’s B-25 Berlin Express restoration, and John asked them to create an operating Allison engine display. Though the powerplant only had a few hours since overhaul, crafting the stand to hold coolant, oil, gas, plumbing, and the wiring to make it run was a daunting task.
To make it a reality, Bruce Grumstrup said the team worked nearly 500 hours over two years. Charlie Tejchma recalled, “Plumbing the thing was a challenge. You
didn’t have a drawing of what’s this tube do? … What’s that thing do? So we had to do a fair amount of research.”
Paul Adams described crafting the 24 exhaust stacks (two per cylinder) that give the Allison it’s throaty roar: “We could have bought the pipes for $640 apiece, but that wasn’t in the budget. So my son, who’s an EAA member, made a drawing for the gaskets, and we know a person who made the flanges and donated them, and we found a guy in Oshkosh who donated the steel tubes. So I made a jig and Bruce welded them, and we made the pipes for zero dollars.”
When the engine ran for the first time, Bruce said, “It was really exciting.” Charlie recalled, “We were worried about the torque, so we had it strapped down
between two airplane tugs. We weren’t sure if it was gonna flop around, but it went fine. Now we just run it with outriggers on the stand, and people stand around watching it make its music.”
Paul Adams added, “In case you’re wondering, we’re gonna keep doing this. There’s a Pratt & Whitney R-4360 that’s our next project.”
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
Gordon Davis Awarded the 2024 Phillips 66 Aviation EAA Young Eagles Leadership Award
Recognized at AirVenture for inspiring future generations, flying more than 860 Young Eagles
BY PHILLIPS 66 AVIATION
PHILLIPS 66 AVIATION — a leading diversified and integrated downstream energy provider and a major contract jet and avgas fuel supplier to private, commercial, and military aviation — proudly announced Gordon Davis as the winner of the 2024 Phillips 66 Aviation EAA Young Eagles Leadership Award. Gordon, a dedicated member of EAA Chapter 1522 in Cynthiana, Kentucky, was one of the many outstanding volunteers recognized over the years for their significant contributions to the Young Eagles program.
“The award means a lot to me, and I am honored to be able to make lifetime relationships with youth,” said Gordon. “At a young age, I would have loved for someone to have guided me in flight. At our little airport in Cynthiana, Kentucky, kids and the Young Eagles
Young
program are the heart of the airport. I have so many fine people who support me in mentoring these passionate young individuals, allowing us to give them as many flights as they want, so they can pursue their license and achieve their goals.”
From a young age, Gordon gazed up at the sky with dreams of soaring among the clouds. His journey into the world of aviation took an unconventional path. Initially, he carved out a successful career in IT within the federal government. However, his interest in aviation remained strong. At the age of 40, he pursued his lifelong dream and worked toward earning his pilot certificate. Today, Gordon resides in Lexington, Kentucky. His dedication to aviation led him to Cynthiana, where
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Find a Young Eagles flight in your local area at YoungEagles.org. After your flight take part in the Young Eagles Flight Plan free of charge!
the Next Generation Inspire
1. Young Eagles Flight (FREE)
2. EAA Student Membership ($48 value – FREE)
3. EAA AeroEducate – Age-based STEM activities
4. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course ($299 value – FREE)
Flying Young Eagles® is more than just providing free flights for youths; it’s about sharing your passion for flight and igniting dreams. Stop by the EAA Blue Barn and learn about becoming a volunteer Young Eagles pilot!
Next steps also available at EAA.org/YEPilots
5. Free Flight Lesson and Reimbursement for the FAA Knowledge Exam ($335 value – FREE) YoungEagles.org EAA Young Eagles Presenting
YE LEADERSHIP / PAGE 19
(L) Sean D. Tucker, Young Eagles Co-Chairmen; Gordon Davis, Young Eagles Leadership Award Winner; Sunny Lopez, Manager, Phillips 66 Aviation; Jimmy Graham, Young Eagles Co-Chairmen (R). PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PHILLIPS 66 AVIATION
he found an airport that was more than just a place to park an airplane — it was a community.
“The field of aviation is fortunate to have so many passionate individuals who set aside time to support youth through the Young Eagles program,” said Sunny Lopez, manager, Phillips 66 Aviation. “This year, we proudly recognized Gordon Davis with the Phillips 66 Aviation EAA Young Eagles Leadership Award for his outstanding dedication. Davis has not only facilitated countless one-off flight opportunities for families but has also nurtured meaningful relationships and guided young minds toward safe and inspiring experiences in aviation.”
The Young Eagles program aims to inspire youths ages 8-17 by o ering free flights in general aviation airplanes. These flights are made possible by the generosity of EAA member volunteers like Gordon. Since joining the program in 2010, Gordon has flown 860 Young Eagles, sharing his passion for aviation and nurturing the dreams of future pilots.
“Some of these kids in the Young Eagles program have been with us since they were 10 years old, and now they are 16,” said Gordon. “Watching them grow and seeing them reach the pedals after so many flights with us is incredibly rewarding. Several of the boys and girls
in the program have even received EAA scholarships. A hobby I [couldn’t] give up; leaving the Young Eagles program would be like ripping out my heart.”
Beyond his involvement with the Young Eagles program, Gordon has contributed to several other youth programs for EAA Chapter 1522, including an RV-12 teen build project, hands-on Young Eagles workshops, and the Ray Aviation Scholarship program. He also served as an EAA technical counselor for five years and successfully completed the build of a beautiful RV-7.
For 29 years, Phillips 66 Aviation has sponsored EAA Young Eagles and supported outstanding volunteers. Phillips 66 continues to provide a $1-per-gallon avgas rebate to all Young Eagles volunteer pilots, helping the Young Eagles program with even more flights.
To learn more about how Phillips 66 supports the Young Eagles program, visit Phillips66Aviation.com and follow Phillips 66 Aviation on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information about the EAA Young Eagles program, visit EAA.org/YoungEagles.
“I have so many fine people who support me in mentoring these passionate young individuals, allowing us to give them as many flights as they want, so they can pursue their license and achieve their goals.”
— Gordon Davis
Gordon Davis in action as Young Eagles program volunteer. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GORDON DAVIS
WOMENVENTURE
Nicole Battjes shares helicopter startup success story
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY BARBARA A. SCHMITZ AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
THE SECRET TO being successful is showing up 99 percent of the time, said Nicole Battjes, CEO of Rainbow Helicopters and keynote speaker at Wednesday’s WomenVenture’s luncheon.
Nicole founded the Honolulu-based air tour operation in 2011, and admitted she initially had no work-life balance. She worked seven days a week for at least five years, and today her company is the largest air tour operator on the island of Oahu. It has a fleet of eight helicopters and a team of 50, and does more than 7,000 tours and charters a year.
Learn more about the Discover tab and other features in the Boeing Pavilion, Booth 747. OSHKOSH
Once Nicole decided to start a helicopter company, she said her life went on super drive. She took a job answering phones at a small helicopter company and used every opportunity to learn how to run the small company. Then one day, she got an email that she had received a $17,000 scholarship for flight lessons. She was shocked as she had applied for 17 other scholarships but had never been selected.
She moved to Hawaii, finished her commercial pilot certificate, and got hired as a temp pilot. A month later, Nicole was named their primary full-time pilot.
“I rented a small o ce, designed a new logo, and every day I was between flights, [I] would go sit in my little closet and try to figure out how I was going to launch this tour company.”
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She figured it out. For two years, she answered her own phone, drove the shuttles, flew the tours, and managed the billing. “At night, I’d go downtown with flyers selling tours on the street,” Nicole said. “Failure was not an option.”
She was rejected by 22 banks when she tried to get her first business loan. But armed with a binder of three years of financial statements that showed she had never missed a payment, she got a loan from the 23rd bank.
“That binder told a story of hard work, late nights, and a lot of tears to get to that place,” Nicole said. “At the end of the day you need to create your own reality, and to move impossible barriers that no one but you can see the solution for.”
Nicole Battjes, CEO of Rainbow Helicopter, was the keynote speaker for WomenVenture.
AFTC AirVenture 2024 Highlights
AS PART OF EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, Air Force Materiel Command is showcasing its critical role in ensuring the Air Force’s dominance and the strength of the nation. The Air Force Test Center is key in executing the AFMC mission.
Before the warfighter touches it, the Air Force Test Center has been all over it.
The Test Center likes to get its hands dirty, putting air
and weapon systems through their paces. Every earthly environment, combat, and operational scenario is simulated with relentless accuracy. AFTC has a vibrant
today and in the future is summed up in the motto: “Ad Inexplorata … Toward the Unexplored.”
The Air Force Test Center is headquartered at Edwards AFB, California, which also plays host to the 412th Test Wing, responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting on all flight and ground testing of aircraft, weapons systems, software and components, and modeling and simulation for the Air Force. From historic Rogers Dry Lake to multiple supersonic corridors, Edwards’ remote desert environment gives more than 300 days of perfect flying
weather each year. The base is also home to Ridley Mission Control, which can obtain and translate telemetry data from the Nevada Test and Training Range to as far as the Pacific Test Range, allowing for real-world testing up to hypersonic speeds or beyond five times the speed of sound. Edwards is also home to the globally recognized Air Force Test Pilot School and manages nearby Air Force Plant 42, a robust complex responsible for manufacturing the world’s most advanced aircraft. Nearly every single airplane developed by the USAF has conducted developmental testing at Edwards.
Eglin AFB is home to the largest Air Force base on earth, where the 96th Test Wing leads developmental tests and evaluation for all Air Force weapons across 700 miles of specialized ranges over land and sea in the Florida panhandle. The installation is also the centerpiece of the Air Force’s AI and machine learning development activity.
Available for purchase at select Red One Market locations and select AirVenture food vendors until Sunday, July 28.*
*While supplies last.
On the ground in Tennessee, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex operates more than 68 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges, and other specialized facilities to support the National Defense Strategy. The installation also supports air operations through a detachment at Holloman AFB in New Mexico, utilizing the vast White Sands Missile Range.
During AirVenture 2024, all three locations have converged in a historic first to provide a glimpse of the unique test mission. The only way to remain ahead is to ensure our next generation has the talent and inspiration to create.
“We hope you have [had] a chance to visit the AF Test Center displays that highlight some of the activities across our three major test sites. As we celebrate the spirit of aviation, we are reminded that every flight tells a story of innovation, passion, and relentless pursuit of dreams,” said Air Force Test Center Commander Maj. Gen. Evan Dertien.
Aerospace vs. Aviation: Debatable?
BY PAUL MALOY, EAA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
AVIATION AND AEROSPACE. Aerospace vs. aviation. What’s the difference? The terminology debate rages on.
Often the terms get used interchangeably while there are yet distinctions between the two common industry sector labels.
According to the Oxford Languages dictionary, the noun “aerospace” is “the branch of technology and industry concerned with both aviation and space flight.” In other words, a combination of all things involving human-made flight in the air and all things humans put into space.
So, strictly speaking, “aviation” is a subset of aerospace and defined as “the flying or operating of aircraft,” where “aircraft” is any human-made object that flies in Earth’s atmosphere.
So, what does that make of the Ingenuity Mars helicopter? Is it a spacecraft or an aircraft? Oh, the conundrum!
More to the point, though, for most people there is something of a disconnect when someone uses the term aerospace to include aviation, no matter how technically true it is. And it seems dominantly true that using the term “aviation” immediately excludes everything other than airplanes, which is actually NOT true.
Aviation accurately applies to every kind of aircraft from hot-air balloons to dirigibles, from a Pietenpol Air Camper to the SR-71, from a handthrown glider or sailplane (another confusion in its own right) to the Airbus 380, from a 2-inch RC quadcopter to the Russian-built Mil V-12 (look it up), from a quarter-scale B-17 to the B-52 Stratofortress! Get
the picture? ANYTHING human-made with the ability to fly through the air is actually an AIR-CRAFT.
Uhm, what about Frisbees? Sure. Or the space shuttle (which was really just a 165,000-pound glider)? Yep. Golf balls? Okay, while the dimples DO actually have aerodynamic value, maybe not. SpaceX Starship? Partly. It still has to navigate through the atmosphere.
Here’s the bottom line: Industry professionals DO often use the phrase “aerospace and aviation” as a combined descriptor to clearly indicate all that these broad industries encompass.
So, here’s a cheer to anything and everything that humans have designed to fly through the air, AND to that which leaves the atmosphere of our big blue marble, even if it is only temporarily!
Pilot Proficiency Center
An Experiment in Optimal Learning
Pilot Proficiency Center (PPC)
Join us in improving the ability of flight instructors and aviation educators to deliver training more effectively. Engage in hands-on activities, flight simulation and connect with passionate pilots and instructors in a dynamic atmosphere that fosters discussion and a flow of ideas.
Today’s
Workshops
Saturday, July 27 @ 0800 - 1200 & 1300 - 1700
Open Simulator Sessions
The flight simulation devices and crosswind trainer are available for 60-min proficiency orientation session(s). No pre-registration is required.
Many thanks to our Sponsors for making programming at the Pilot Proficiency Center possible for AirVenture 2024!
Sponsored by:
PRIMARY LOGO
Supported by:
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Scholler Shorts
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY KAITLIN PIETTE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
MIKE GAUTHIER, WHO lives just north of Green Bay, has been attending the fly-in convention for 41 years. He has been flying for 30 years and currently owns a Cessna 172. While attending AirVenture, the “Keepers of the Berm” is a group Mike and a couple dozen other people are informally known as, because they camp right by the highway and enjoy watching people come and go by the berm. The group started out small and has continued to grow for 20 years. When Mike’s daughter started attending 16 years ago, it became one of his favorite AirVenture memories. This year he looks forward to seeing everyone again and adding to his aviation goodie pile!
Brittany, Amelia, and Matt Schlichting, along with their dog Addison, are from Traer, Iowa, and have attended AirVenture since 2019 (2021 for Addison). Matt is learning to fly and just finished ground school and is about to get his medical. For now, everyone attends for fun, but Matt hopes to someday volunteer at AirVenture. Back in 2021, they all took a ride in the Ford TriMotor and really loved the experience! Amelia loves watching the air shows and seeing her favorite type of airplanes, the jets. This year, she hopes to go to the Seaplane Base and take a boat tour.
Brittany, Amelia, and Matt Schlichting
Mike Gauthier
AROUND THE GROUNDS
What About These Other Airplanes?
A spotter’s guide to the EAA Aviation Museum aircraft around the grounds
EVERY YEAR, MORE than 10,000 aircraft fly to Wisconsin for AirVenture. Of those, nearly 3,000 are showplanes — vintage aircraft, warbirds, homebuilts, aerobatic airplanes, etc. — that are displayed around the grounds. But some visitors may notice other airplanes parked here and there that didn’t fly in at all, because they’re part of the EAA Aviation Museum collection. Because our museum exhibits rotate, many of these aircraft are only viewable by the public during AirVenture, spending the rest of the year in long-term storage on the convention grounds. Here’s a guide to some of these airplanes that you’ll see as you wander the neighborhoods of AirVenture.
1944 Culver PQ-14B Cadet
We hear all about drones these days, but they’re nothing new. The PQ-14B was an optionally piloted target drone that could be flown remotely from the ground or from another airplane, following as many as 5 miles behind. Our example was used in testing midair wingtip coupling, an alternative means of towing aircraft by joining them to the wingtips of a larger aircraft.
Enjoy FREE admission to museums worldwide
Visit nearly 400 museums for FREE with the ASTC Travel Passport Program!
Don’t miss out on one of EAA’s most valuable, yet under-utilized member benefits.
Visit EAA.org/Passport for a full list of participating museums.
H H H H PLATINUM LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
H H H H GOLD LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
DeltaHawk Engines H Epic Aircraft H Honda Aircraft Company H Honeywell Aerospace Technologies H Lightspeed Aviation
Lycoming H Mars Wrigley H PenFed H Phillips 66 H Redbird Flight
H H H H SILVER LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
Airbus H Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) H Aircraft Specialties Services H Cirrus Aircraft H Dynon
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University H Icom America H John Deere H Piper Aircraft, Inc. H Pratt & Whitney, an RTX Business H Wipaire
H H H H BRONZE LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
AeroShell H Air Wisconsin Airlines H ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics) H Aspen Avionics H Blackhawk Aerospace H Bose Aviation
Cleveland Wheels & Brakes by KAMAN H Co-Pilot Goose H Continental Aerospace Technologies H Covington Aircraft H Crewchief Systems
Delta Air Lines H Electroair Acquisition Corporation H GE Aerospace H Green Bay Austin Straubel Int. Airport
Gulf Coast Avionics / Pacific Coast Avionics H Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation H Hangar 22 Coffee H Hartzell Engine Tech H Hartzell Propeller
Horizon Hobby H Jani-King H JP Instruments H Lincoln Electric H magniX H McFarlane Aviation Products H NATCA H Pepsi
Piedmont Airlines H Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd H Poly Fiber, Inc H PowerLift Hydraulic Doors H Red Box Tools and Foam / Priceless Tugs
Rotax iService and Training Centres H Siemens Digital Industry Software H SiriusXM Aviation H Skyryse H Southwest Airlines H Superflite
Superior Air Parts, Inc. H SureFly Electronic Ignition H Tecnam H Tempest Aero Group H True Blue Power H uAvionix H United Airlines Van’s Aircraft H WACO Aircraft Corporation / Junkers Aircraft H Williams International Wing Aviation
Women in Aviation International (WAI) H Zenith Aircraft
H H H H COPPER LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
American Airlines H B & C Specialty Products Inc. H CAE H DATC H Flight Outfitters H Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company H Oshkosh AeroTech
SOFTIE PARACHUTES by Para-Phernalia, Inc. H Starr Aviation H U.S. Air Force H UND Aerospace H VOLARE HANGARS AT PEGASUS
H H H H PATRON LEVEL SUPPORTERS H H H H
4imprint H Arena Americas H David Clark Company H Endeavor Air H EnerSys® H FliteTest H General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) GES H Honda Power Equipment H JSfirm.com H MATCO ALS H Ninety-Nines, Inc (The) H Pilotsmith H Scheme Designers, Inc H Target Oshkosh
Walkabout Hats H WILCO H Wisconsin Imaging, LLC H X-Plane
KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.
9:00AM - 9:45AM
Weather and Risk: What Accidents Teach Us About Ourselves
LT Justin Moore, U.S. Coast Guard
10:00AM - 10:45AM
Opposing Bases Air Tra c Talk: LIVE!
AG and RH, Opposing Bases Podcast and Colleen Sterling
39 Lounge Meet and Greets
11:00AM-11:45AM Opposing Bases
12:00PM - 12:45PM
Staying Alive in Your Airplane
Jason Miller, Learn The Finer Points
1:00PM - 1:45PM
Leveraging Old Technology to Create New Ideas, the History of eVTOL
Zach Reeder, Joby Aviation
2:00PM - 2:45PM
Is the Approach Active? Flying Approaches with Garmin 430/530/650/750 & G1000 Units
Hank Gibson, The Aviator’s Academy
3:00PM - 3:45PM Avoid the Flow of Fixed Wing Tra c Phil Jennings, Retired US Army UH-60/ Blackhawk Instructor and Current Fixed Wing Pilot
AROUND THE GROUNDS
A Spotter’s Guide to Allied Aircraft of 1944
EIGHTY YEARS AGO, the world was five years deep in the greatest conflict in human history. While millions had died and many millions more had their lives completely upended, the end was finally on the horizon — at least in hindsight. By 1944, it was starting to become apparent that the Allies were gaining the upper hand in World War II. In the Pacific theater, the Americans had much of the southwestern Pacific under its control, capturing island after island and pushing the Japanese back. On the European theater’s eastern front, the Soviet Union was steadily overpowering the German Wehrmacht. And on the western front, the United States and Britain were constantly pounding Germany with strategic bombing raids and, along with Canada and several other Allied countries, launched the largest amphibious assault in history on June 6, 1944, during D-Day, the Normandy landings.
As we look back on the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the many crucial events of 1944 this summer during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, you can expect to see a wide variety of aircraft that played roles during the “turning of the tide.” The following is a list of some of the aircraft that were in the service of the Allies during that pivotal year, and that may be in Oshkosh this year. Note: Not all of these aircraft will attend Oshkosh this year, nor at the time of this writing do we know definitively which ones will be attending, so keep your eyes open as you wander the grounds.
B-29 Superfortress: Boeing’s other heavy bomber of World War II, the B-29 played a critical role in the Pacific theater in the later years of the war, being deployed for nighttime incendiary bombing and as the aircraft to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Hawker Hurricane: Although overshadowed by the Spitfire during the Battle of Britain, the Hawker Hurricane played an enormous part in resisting the Luftwa e and served in a number of di erent capacities during the war in Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
L-6: Developed from the Interstate Cadet, the L-6 was originally designated the O-63. The airplane never went overseas, though it was used as a utility transport, liaison, and training aircraft while stateside.
BT-13 Valiant: Introduced in 1940, the Vulteedesigned BT-13 was a basic trainer for the USAAF, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, and it served to prepare pilots for advanced training in higherperformance types.
P-47 Thunderbolt: Nicknamed the “Jug,” the Republic P-47 was introduced early in the war and soon became one of the primary American air superiority fighters. It also excelled as a fighter/bomber in the ground-attack role in the European and Pacific theaters.
SBD Dauntless: Although the Douglas-produced Dauntless is most famous for its role in the Battle of Midway in 1942, it continued to serve as a crucial dive bomber for the U.S. Navy into 1944, with its final major engagement coming during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
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REGISTER TO WIN a Cleveland Wheels & Brakes prize pack Stop by Cleveland’s KidVenture display and REGISTER TO WIN a Cleveland Wheels & Brakes prize pack when you connect with us on Facebook!
One prize given away daily!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEONARDO CORREA LUNA
We offer hot coffee, doughnuts, fresh fruit, salads, sandwiches and much more. Red One Market has everything you need to make your stay more enjoyable.
Meet Your Favorite Authors!
COME AND MEET the authors of your favorite aviation books! From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., renowned aviation writers and notable personalities from the world of flight will be available in the EAA Wearhouse, located between the EAA Member Center and the FAA Aviation Safety Center.
9 a.m. — Capt. Laura Savino, Jet Boss: A Female Pilot on taking Risks and Flying High
9-11 a.m. — Jerry Burke, On the Grounds and Up!
10 a.m. — Retired Brig. Gen. John “Dragon” Teichert, BOOM!: Leadership that Breaks Barriers, Challenges Convention, and Ignites Innovation
11 a.m. — Erin Miller, Final Flight, Final Fight and What Grandma Did Noon — Katherine Sharp Landdeck, The Women With Silver Wings
1 p.m. — Kathrin Kaiser, Halfway Around the World in 40 Days
2 p.m. — John Lanza, Shot Down Over Italy and From One War to Another 3 p.m. — Robert Fulton, Up in the Air: A Pilot’s Journey
4 p.m. — Mark Phillips, The Last of the Wild Horses
5 p.m. — Michelle “Mace” Curran, Upside Down Dreams and What’s Your Call Sign?
2024 YOUNG EAGLES ® RAFFLE
2024 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium
$100 per ticket | Only 1,500 tickets available
Proceeds support the youth education activities of EAA®, including EAA’s Young Eagles program, which has provided more than 2.3 million youths with a free first flight since 1992.
*Tickets can be purchased: (a) at the EAA Aviation Museum™ between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily (excluding holidays or when the Museum is closed) throughout the Raffle Period; (b) throughout Wisconsin at certain events during the Raffle Period; and (c) on the EAA® AirVenture® Oshkosh™ grounds during normal operating hours starting on Monday, July 22, 2024 with all sales concluding on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT. The drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the AirVenture Welcome Center, EAA® AirVenture® Oshkosh™, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902.
BLUE BARN
WE LOVE OUR EXHIBITORS!
EAA is thankful for our long-term exhibitors and welcomes our new ones for 2022! EAA is thankful for our long-term exhibitors and welcomes our new ones for 2024!
50 YEARS
Aviation Jewelry.com H SUN ‘n FUN, Inc.
40
YEARS
Aircraft Tool Supply
Concorde Battery Corporation
CubCrafters Group H Floats & Fuel Cells, Inc
Para-Phernalia, Inc. H UMA Inc
University of North Dakota Aviation
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation
Whelen Aerospace Technologies, LLC
30
YEARS
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aviat Aircraft Inc H Boeing Company (The)
CAV Systems H David Clark Company Inc.
Elizabeth The Gold Lady
FlightSafety International
FRASCA H G & N Aircraft Inc
Jeppesen, A Boeing Company
Lincoln Electric H NASA
Oregon Aero Inc H Parker Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Superior Air Parts, Inc.
Wisconsin Aviation, Inc.
Women in Aviation International
Yaesu USA
20 YEARS
Advocate Consulting Legal Group, PLLC
African Elephant Hair Bracelets by Safari Jewelry
American Legend Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company, LLC H Horizon Hobby, LLC
MGL Avionics H Miller Clock Service, Inc.
North American Aerospace Defense Command
Plane Plastic Vantage Assoc H Powrachute LLC
SMR Technologies | Ice Shield Deicing Systems
Stewart Systems H ZClear Anti Fog Inc.
10
YEARS
Air Race Classic, Inc H Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc.
Bristell Aircraft LLC H Dakota Cub Aircraft
David UHL Studios, Inc. H Flight Outfitters
Flying Legend USA Inc H Midwest Parajet LLC
National WASP WWII Museum
Original Safety Siphon (The)
Parkland College - Institute of Aviation
Phoenix East Aviation, LLC H PilotSafety.org
Porter County Regional Airport H Prusa Research, a.s.
PSA Airlines H Rachel’s Jewelry, LLC
runway THREE-SIX H Silverlight Aviation
SoCo Swings H SoundEx Products / Plane Patterns
State
H Tanis Aircraft The
WELCOME NEW EXHIBITORS
1st Pick Antiques & Vintage LLC H 360 Avionics H A Spice Above H A-10 Aviation Products H Academy of Aviation H Adept Propulsion Technologies, Inc. H Advanced Powerplant Solutions (APS) H Aerotranscendent Inc. H Aeroverse Media, LLC H Affection Above Aviation H Aileronics Inc H Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) H Airbility Inc. H Aircraft Components INC. H All American Gutter Protection H American Airlines, Inc. H Art-Craft Optical H Atlanta Air Recovery and Exchange H AV8 Realty H AV8R GEAR H Aviation Depot H Aviation International UK H Aviator Cookie Company H Barking Pixel H Bessie Coleman Foundation H Bluff City Aircraft H Brainomat LLC Brewer Brothers H Brown & Miller Racing Solutions H Buiqui Aerospace and Eagle Aircrat Flight Academy H Callsign Aviation H Capitol Technology University H CCFM AVIATION SRL H Cicare USA H Colorado Division of Aeronautics / Colorado Pilots Association H Co-Pilot Goose | AeroSys Technologies Inc. H CU Student Choice H DRMIDWEST LLC H EarthRoamer H Eastern Iowa Airport Aviation Workforce Development Campus H eDispatched H Elivate Aircraft H Elmarx Aviation Inc. H Enhanced Aero LLC. H ESC Photography LLC H Executive Aircraft / ARGON Aircraft H Fit 4 Flight Coaching H Flightclub.life H Fly-Inn, LLC H FP-PROPELLER srl H Gary’s Garage H Hangar H High Country Products, Inc H Icon Wallets H Jimmy’s World LLC H JME Technologies, Inc. H Kestrel Aerospace H KOMBI BRAZIL INC H Leading Edge PPG H LGM USA H Mac’s Custom Tiedowns H MasterPilot H MCE Aero H Midwest Eco Pavers LLC H Midwest Pepper Heads LLC H Nicholas Air H Nifty-Lift H NMDOT Aviation Division H NovoFlight Technologies H NUNCATS CIC H Oakley / Rayban H Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals H Orlican Americas - Eagle M8 H Pegasus H Pelegrin LLC H Phoenix Replica Aircraft H Pik West Insurance Agency, LLC H Pilot Mental Health Campaign (PMHC) H Pioneer Control
Featuring a Continental C-85 engine, McCauley propeller, BendixKing communications transceiver and transponder, SureFly electronic ignition with a push-button starter system, an alternator and voltage regulator, and a useful load of 410 pounds.
Drawing will take place August 15, 2024 at the EAA Aviation Center – Oshkosh, WI. For complete rules, visit EAA.org/Sweepstakes
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAYDEN SMITH
e EAA Memorial Wall gives families a quiet place to remember and honor those who have gone before us.
EAA.ORG/TRIBUTE
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
> General Aviation
> Non-Owned
> Flying Clubs
> Aerobatics
> Warbirds
> General Aviation
> Non-Owned
> Vintage
> Powered Parachutes
> Flying Clubs
> Aerobatics
> Weight-Shift Trikes
> Warbirds
> Flight Instructors
> Vintage
> Powered Parachutes
> Weight-Shift Trikes
> Flight Instructors
> Aircraft Projects Learn
> Aircraft Projects
Learn more at EAA.org/Insurance
ACROSS:
2. Home base for the younger set.
6. Old airplanes, classic hangars, and a grass strip. (Two words)
7. Your visit isn’t complete if you don’t see what we have on display here.
9. Retired astronaut and test pilot Joe.
10. Art Scholl’s dog and the thing that makes us bank.
11. Burt’s first.
DOWN:
1. Officially, the UH-1 Iroquois.
3. EAA Aviation Museum’s home for warbirds. (Two words)
4. The one that started it all. (Two words)
5. Our dear departed friend Frank, who blessed us all on Christmas Eve.
ACROSS: 8.
FRIDAY 7/26 ANSWERS
Get Hands-On
Homebuilding gets to the heart of EAA®, and you can learn virtually every skill and gain the confidence you need to build an airplane while at EAA® AirVenture ® Oshkosh™ . Presented by Aircraft Spruce & Speciality and patterned after the highly successful EAA SportAir Workshops, these mini workshops let you experience a taste of aircraft building.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Workshops is sponsored by:
Presenting Sponsor Supporting Sponsors
Learn from Experts
At the AirVenture Forums Plaza, the very best from the aviation world come together for one week to share their knowledge with you. Hundreds of innovators, authors, experts, and legends are on hand in the most comprehensive collection of aviation knowledge available anywhere, all at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Forums Plaza is supported by:
TRY YOUR HAND at these trivia questions and find out. The answers, along with a new question, will be in tomorrow’s paper.
The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command operates a number of different centers throughout the country, including the Air Force Test Center based at Edwards Air Force Base. In the early 1980s, the black project F-117 stealth fighter was one of the aircraft that underwent extensive testing, much of it at Groom Lake. While the F-117 entered service in 1983, it wasn’t publicly acknowledged until 1988. How many years after its official public acknowledgement did the F-117 first attend EAA Oshkosh?
FRIDAY 7/26 ANSWER: William Howard Taft
Look for these songs on your favorite streaming service and build a personal soundtrack for your trip to the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.
Haze
TAKE FLIGHT
aboard one of EAA’s unique Flight Experiences
B-25 Berlin Express
$475 per EAA member
$495 per nonmember
B-25 Operations are located at the southeast corner of Warbird Alley
Bell 47 Helicopter
$65 per person
Helicopter Operations are located at Pioneer Airport behind the EAA Aviation Museum®
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
YOUR JOURNEY. YOUR OSHKOSH.
FROM FIRST ARRIVAL to final takeo and everything in between, we want to see AirVenture through your eyes. Check out today’s featured social shots of the day! Share your highlights on social media using #OSH24 to possibly be featured in a future issue of AirVenture Today!
@audreyriesbeck Got away for a couple days to go to Oshkosh
always a good time at osh
@jacobi_da_lion
Hanging out with the legends @pattyaerobatics @robholland5150 #iac #eaa #aopa #osh24
@kallihastings osh ‘24…
another amazing eaa oshkosh air venture in the books! it was SO much fun hanging out with some of my besties, and SO cool to see a fellow TikTok aviator @flywithkay and my AMAZING @intlwomenairlinepilots mentor @laurenfly2.0 for the first time! not the mention meeting @aholmes825 for the first time too!! thank you so much @eaa for making this year so memorable with the amazing airshows and vendors! looking forward to eaa oshkosh air venture ‘25!
@hannahchusnick
