OSHKOSH WI- "All early indications are this will be a well attended AirVenture", said Rod Hightower, EAA President/CEO, at a Monday media briefing. With mass fly ins of Pipers, Bonanza's, Cubs, RVs and early arrivals of Ultralights, aircraft parking and camping is beginning to fill early.
Hightower mentioned several first appearances for this year, Tora, Tora, Canadian SkyHawks Parachute Team, B-29 FiFi rides, a new grass landing strip, and events for "improving the family experience".
Ford Motor Company has come through with even more new attractions like the "Great Escape" Ferris wheel and the Fusion EcoBoost bungee launch. Ford hosts a great amount of entertainment including: Model T Experience, Da BLOOZE Bros, the Fly In Theater, The Steve Miller Concert and much more. Ford will donate a one-of-a-kind, Tuskegee Airmen-inspired 2013 "Red Tails Edition" Mustang for auction to support the EAA Young Eagles.
Hightower invited the press to Phillips 66 Plaza on Tuesday morning as EAA kicks off the Eagle Flights program, which is patterned after the successful EAA Young Eagles program, except it offers aircraft flights to adults who have a desire to become aviators.
A banner year for aviation anniversary celebrations at AirVenture includes, but not limited to the following:
75th Cub Anniversary- A mass gathering organized by Cubs 2 Oshkosh at Hartford Municipal Airport (HXF), just 60 miles southwest of Oshkosh, and 75 of them were scheduled to arrive in trail early Sunday morning in a group arrival, with more coming throughout the morning. About 125 turned out but others around the field could make it a record breaker.
30th Anniversary of Ultralight Aircraft Part 103- In 1982, the FAA published the Part 103 regulation, which defines a powered ultralight as having one seat, empty weigh of less than 254 pounds, maximum fuel capacity of 5 gallons, maximum speed of 55 knots, and maximum stall speed of 24 knots. Part 103's success led to the development of sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rules. EAA is holding special events in celebration "down on the farm" as the Ultralight area is called.
20th Anniversary of Young Eagles- As of May 2012, more than 250,000 flight hours have been logged by General Aviation Aircraft in the Young Eagles Program. Nearly 50,000 members have volunteered as a Young Eagle Pilot. The average number of YE flown per pilot is 36, although individual numbers range from one to more than 4,000. Young people from more than 90 different countries have become Young Eagles. The program continues to evolve as stats show 70% of Young Eagle flights occur at EAA chapter sponsored events.
40th Anniversary of Van's Aircraft- A new RV is flying at the rate of 1.5 per day thanks to Dick VanGrusven. The number of Van's flying today is inching close to 8,000. RV festivities and celebrations are scheduled throughout the AirVenture event. Dick will donate RV-1 to Rod Hightower and the EAA Museum and Team RV will debut during the Airshow.
20th Anniversary of Glacier Girl P-38 Discovery- The Lockheed P-38 Glacier Girl, the fearsome twin-boom fighter aircraft that has become one of the world's most well known warbirds since its rescue from the Greenland ice cap in 1992, will return to AirVenture on the 20th anniversary of its first public appearance.
5th Anniversary of WomenVenture- Bringing visibility to the roles women play within the aviation and aerospace industry has lead to many females taking steps to earning their pilot certificates according to Lisa Lines, EAAVP of business and donor relations. From a sea of pink, yellow, blue, green and now orange shirts, the annual photo opportunity at show center for women also features special events and speakers throughout the week.
80th Anniversary of Hawker Beechcraft - On July 25 will celebrate Hawker Beechcraft's proud 80-year history as an innovator and industry leader," said Keith Nadolski, HBC president of Sales for Beechcraft Americas. "Oshkosh is always an excellent venue for us to connect with our customers and the general aviation community, so there's no better time to celebrate Beechcraft's eight decades of pioneering quality, safety and performance in the industry." The Hawker Beechcraft T-6C demonstration team will perform a nine-minute aerial demonstration on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
40th Anniversary of Seaplane Pilots Association- Seaplane Pilot's Association rocks Oshkosh on its 40th Year Anniversary. Activities will include the SPA booth at the main show, the SPA booth at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base, and the Annual SPA Corn Roast among others. -B Meyer, FMI: AirVenture