The Monday afternoon air show opened with an unlikely formation, flown in honor of two members of EAA’s first family: Founder Paul Poberezny and his son Tom, former president of the organization. In the lead was EAA’s North American P-64, the only surviving example of the type, and the airplane that Paul flew for countless air show destinations at EAA events for years. Off the wing of the rare fighter was a Christen Eagle, representing the type that Tom flew as a member of the Eagles aerobatic team for more than 25 years.
The P-64 was flown by Rick Siegfried, EAA Lifetime 12484, a retired airline pilot and former president of EAA’s Warbirds of America, while celebrated air show performer Matt Chapman, EAA 226243, stayed tucked in tight on Rick’s wing in the Eagle. As we celebrate our 50th consecutive convention in Oshkosh, it’s our privilege to honor the leaders who got us here.