This piece originally ran in the September 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.
This mascot costume is that of Captain EAAgle, the EAA Aviation Foundation’s mascot during the 1980s. Commonly “on duty” at the museum or on the air show grounds, the captain would greet youths, pose for photos, and hand out coloring books illustrating his adventures in the sky. He even had his own merchandise such as T-shirts, pins, and hats that could be purchased from the gift shop, as he proved to be popular among young and old EAA members alike. As the EAA Aviation Foundation mascot, Captain EAAgle rubbed elbows or feathers with notable EAA supporters such as Sen. Barry Goldwater and Steve Wittman at the EAA Aviation Center’s grand opening. Like EAA’s current superhero ambassador, Aviore, Captain EAAgle’s mission was clear: inspiring and educating young people about the world of aviation.