November 13, 2019October 17, 2025

The Baker T-Craft(s) — ‘T’ is for Tom(s)

Member Stories, Vintage

The tradition of naming sons after their fathers often causes confusion. In addition, it makes it difficult to tell the story of a given Taylorcraft when both Tom Jr. and ... Read more

November 13, 2019November 5, 2025

Sonerai Gets a New Skin

Homebuilding, Member Stories

I went for a speed flight a few weeks ago, just to see what sort of top speed I might get at full throttle.

November 5, 2019November 5, 2019

Full Circle — A Happy Reunion, 35 Years On

Member Stories, Why We Fly

How often is it at age 17 that you get your first ride in a historic 1942 Meyers OTW airplane? Then you end up owning that same airplane 35 years ... Read more

October 10, 2019October 17, 2025

Don’t Wait

Member Stories, Why We Fly

“I really enjoyed this trip,” I told my wife, Lois, as we flew the last leg home. Little did I know I’d never pilot my airplane again.

October 2, 2019November 4, 2025

The Wright Glider Stuff

Honoring The Past, Member Stories

The would-be pilot stood atop the sand dune hill at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, wondering if the craft he was about to fly would work as promised. The wind picked ... Read more

September 26, 2019November 5, 2025

Soul Sisters — Jill Manka and her Champ called Lucy

Member Stories, Vintage

The Champ was far from a flyer, and even though the skeletal remains were covered in a fine coating of dust, Jill Manka saw the potential beauty of what could ... Read more

September 18, 2019November 5, 2025

Better-Than-New Skywagon — Texas Cessna 180

From The Hangar Floor, Member Stories, Vintage

I purchased N9177C, my 1955 Cessna 180, in November 2012 in San Diego, California. It was a mostly original aircraft with logbooks showing about 5,700 hours’ total time. My father ... Read more

August 22, 2019October 28, 2025

Heather Penney Discusses 9/11 Experience, Beliefs in TEDx Talk

Member Stories, Why We Fly

EAA board member Heather Penney, EAA 1266991, told her story of being scrambled on September 11, 2001, to protect Washington, D.C., and more in this TEDx talk given in Chelsea ... Read more

August 15, 2019October 28, 2025

(Where the Fun Is) Creampuff: Debbie Cheney’s Cessna 140

Member Stories, Vintage

Well, you’re finally there. After wanting to fly all your life, and having to delay your dream for your career and family, you finally found yourself with enough time and ... Read more

August 15, 2019November 5, 2025

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring: Arkansas Piper J-3 Cub

Member Stories, Vintage

This story started in August 1938 on a 40-acre cotton field near the Hempstead County line in Southwest Arkansas.

August 14, 2019August 15, 2019

Visiting the Museum of Flight

Member Stories

EAA staffer Christina Basken recently visited one of the world’s largest aviation museums, and came back with a great story and a lot of photos.

August 14, 2019October 28, 2025

Our Hike Into the British Columbia Bush to the Canso Bomber Wreckage

EAA Canada, Member Stories

At 2300 on the night of February 10, 1945, a Royal Canadian Air Force Consolidated PBV-1A* Catalina serial No. 11007, also known as the Canso, took off from RCAF Tofino ... Read more

August 14, 2019October 17, 2025

A Non-Pilot Spouse’s Perspective on Oshkosh

AirVenture, Member Stories

It has been more than 15 years since my husband, Jack, started attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — the largest air show in the world!

August 8, 2019October 20, 2025

Bob Became a Private Pilot at 55 Years Old

Homebuilding, Member Stories

Bob and Jean Porter came into aviation a bit later in life. At 55, Bob decided to become a private pilot.

July 27, 2019October 20, 2025

An RV-7 Love Story ⁠⁠— Douglas Taylor’s N610TW

Member Stories

“It’s painted by John Stahr. I provided the canvas, the bodywork, and my life with my wife, Nan Wu, provided the inspiration,” Douglas Taylor said. “It’s based on our past ... Read more

July 27, 2019October 20, 2025

Championship Drone Racer — From Learning RC at Oshkosh to Professional Drone Racing

Member Stories, Youth Outreach

19-year-old Alex Vanover got his start in RC here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and is now winning world championships racing drones. “It’s a dream come true . ... Read more

July 26, 2019October 20, 2025

Back in the Family ⁠— A Glasair With History Returns to the Fold

Member Stories, Why We Fly

By Barbara A. Schmitz Austin Bowman, then 14, recalled being upset, even mad, when his parents sold the family’s Glasair in 2000 that his dad, Skip, had built soon after ... Read more

July 26, 2019October 17, 2025

Here for Them All ⁠— 50 Years of Volunteering in Oshkosh

Member Stories, Volunteers

By Barbara A. Schmitz Bob Herman has been attending the EAA fly-in convention for 51 years, and volunteering for 50 of those years. “But I didn’t realize I was volunteering ... Read more

July 25, 2019October 20, 2025

Bowers Fly Baby Makes First Oshkosh Trip Since 1970

AirVenture, Member Stories

Charlie and Steve Gay’s 1965 Bowers Fly Baby 608X has returned to Oshkosh for the first time since 1970. The Fly Baby is a single-seat, folding-wing monoplane, originally designed in ... Read more

July 25, 2019October 20, 2025

Whirling Around the World — Taking a Gyroplane on a Worldwide Journey

Member Stories, Why We Fly

In 2003, Norman Surplus, then 40, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The prognosis wasn’t good. “They gave me a 40 percent chance to live 18 months,” he recalled. As he ... Read more