EAA History

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Captain EAAgle Mascot

Attic, EAA Museum

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. ... Read more

October 9, 2025October 17, 2025

John Moody’s Icarus II

Honoring The Past, Ultralights

By Rick Hayes, EAA Lifetime 262014 This piece originally ran in the August 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. John Moody is widely regarded as the “father of ... Read more

October 6, 2025October 17, 2025

Sharing the Life of Aviation Legend Steve Wittman at Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, Speaker Series

Jim Cunningham, a published aviation writer and biographer, will share the storied life of Steve Wittman — an Oshkosh native, prolific aircraft designer, and legendary air racer — as the ... Read more

July 26, 2025October 20, 2025

Here Since Day One

Honoring The Past, Member Stories

Before EAA became EAA in 1953, it was just founder Paul Poberezny and a small group of homebuilding enthusiasts that would informally get together, often at the local auto garage ... Read more

July 24, 2025October 20, 2025

The Maestro

AirVenture

By Jim Roberts While enjoying the aerial ballet and symphony of sound during the daily air show, have you ever wondered who the conductor is? That would be the air ... Read more

July 23, 2025October 20, 2025

Wittman Buster Replica Built With Original Wings on Display in Homebuilders

AirVenture

By Robbie Culver In the Homebuilders Hangar, a replica of C.J. “Steve” Wittman’s Buster is on display. This is no ordinary replica — it includes original parts and was meticulously ... Read more

July 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Airplanes and Articles

AirVenture

Barb Schmitz began covering AirVenture as an intern for the Fond du Lac Reporter while attending UW Oshkosh and later continued in her roles as a reporter and city editor for ... Read more

June 26, 2025October 31, 2025

My Life in EAA

Chapters, Member Stories

By Jim Hoak, EAA Lifetime 29646 At age 87, I am entering the sunset of my life, so I decided to tell my fellow EAA members what this fine organization ... Read more

December 12, 2024October 17, 2025

Velocity to Become New EAA Welcome Sign

EAA Museum, Member Stories

By Dick Knapinski Paul Barber, EAA 139692, got plenty of joy flying his Velocity that he built over a four-year period more than 20 years ago. Now that airplane will ... Read more

November 21, 2024October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — EAA 1969 Sport Aviation Convention Pennant

Attic, EAA Museum

This piece originally ran in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. “AirVenture” goes by many names: Some call it “the convention,” others simply “Oshkosh,” locals call it ... Read more

October 10, 2024October 28, 2025

Pioneer Airport at 40: The Stories That Can Be Told…

EAA Museum, Honoring The Past

By Dick Knapinski The vintage airplanes out behind the EAA Aviation Museum have always had their stories. Now that their home, Pioneer Airport, has turned 40 years old, that unique ... Read more

October 3, 2024October 17, 2025

Hang Loose

Honoring The Past, Ultralights

By David Smith, EAA 1298935, and Ronald Smith This piece originally ran in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Following much reporting on the Hang Loose hang ... Read more

July 25, 2024October 20, 2025

Remembering Dick Rutan

AirVenture, Honoring The Past

By Barbara A. Schmitz Warrior. Adventurer. Patriot. Those words on the memorial stone for Dick Rutan, who died in May, sum up Dick’s life. But his brother Burt and other friends ... Read more

July 22, 2024October 20, 2025

First ‘One Week Wonder’ turns 10

AirVenture, Homebuilding

By Barbara A. Schmitz EAA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its first One Week Wonder during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. In 2014, more than 2,500 people shared the building ... Read more

June 5, 2024November 4, 2025

EAA’s Unknown Alumnus

Homebuilding, Member Stories

The interesting and little-known story of the man who started construction on the first homebuilt Pitts Special.

May 2, 2024October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Waukau Avenue and Knapp Street Signs

Attic, EAA Museum

These stamped steel street signs are a familiar sight to those who have attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Marking the intersection of Waukau Avenue and Knapp Street, or the intersection next ... Read more

March 4, 2024November 4, 2025

That Fatal Night 60 Years Ago

EAA Canada, Honoring The Past

Remembering a Canadian aviation pioneer on the anniversary of his tragic death six decades ago.

October 5, 2023October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — 2005 EAA Youth Art Contest Submissions

Attic, EAA Museum

For the 2005 EAA Youth Art Contest, contestants were asked to design a paint scheme for one of EAA’s two Young Eagles aircraft, a GlaStar 3 (N231YE).

September 21, 2023October 31, 2025

Forty Years Later

AirVenture, Member Stories

A word or two from the man who produces everyone’s favorite AirVenture Oshkosh souvenir.

July 27, 2023October 31, 2025

Generous Gift Memorializes AirVenture’s History

AirVenture, Volunteers

Grayling Peterson started creating scrapbooks highlighting the yearly EAA convention and fly-in the same year EAA debuted its daily newspaper on the grounds.

April 20, 2023October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Corben/Poberezny Baby Ace Vertical Stabilizer

Attic, EAA Museum

This piece originally ran in the March 2023 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Paul Poberezny and the Corben Baby Ace brought EAA to national attention through a series of ... Read more

February 22, 2023October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Poberezny Beer Bottles

Attic, EAA Museum

These Paul Poberezny-themed beers were commissioned by Clarence Weisbrod, EAA 277058, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, between 2001 and 2010. Clarence was a longtime friend of Paul’s since the two served ... Read more

February 6, 2023October 28, 2025

Remember Weenie Jackets?

EAA Canada, Member Stories

For those of you old enough to still remember the 1970s and 1980s, here’s a touch of nostalgia for you.

January 26, 2023October 31, 2025

EAA’s The Green Dot — EAA’s 70th Anniversary

Podcast

This time on The Green Dot, hosts Hal and Tom are joined by EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board Jack J. Pelton to reflect on EAA’s humble beginnings as ... Read more

October 19, 2022October 28, 2025

Before Oshkosh, Before AirVenture

Honoring The Past, Member Stories

EAA member John Meyers looks back on a grand adventure from his teenage years when he attended the annual EAA fly-in convention in Rockford, Illinois.

October 6, 2022October 28, 2025

How Did They Do That? Behind the Scenes of the 50-Ship Flyover

Homebuilding, Why We Fly

If you were at AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 during the opening air show, you might not have believed your eyes when you looked up and saw no less than 50 Van’s ... Read more

September 20, 2022October 29, 2025

40 Years and Counting

Ultralights

This year marks the 40th anniversary of FAR Part 103, the FAA regulation that formally established ultralight vehicles in the United States. Only two pages long, Part 103 enabled a ... Read more

August 17, 2022October 28, 2025

Remembering How Tom Helped Keep the Spirit of Flight Alive

Member Stories, Why We Fly

Philip Handleman, EAA Lifetime 227599, joins the many who have taken the time to share a heartfelt tribute after the recent loss of former longtime EAA President Tom Poberezny.

July 26, 2022October 28, 2025

Air Boss!

AirVenture

It takes a dedicated crew to safely pull off a production this size, and each has their own motivation for being here. Wayne sums it up best with the adage, ... Read more

September 28, 2021October 17, 2025

Honoring EAA’s Founder

AirVenture, Member Stories

EAA volunteer Robert Wubben recently created a photo mosaic honoring late EAA founder Paul Poberezny.

July 29, 2021October 28, 2025

Poberezny Legacy Tour

AirVenture, Honoring The Past

You can learn interesting stories about Paul and Audrey Poberezny, as well as see the 9-acre grounds that they once called home as part of the Poberezny Legacy Tour.

July 27, 2021October 29, 2025

Honoring Paul and Continuing Education

Chapters, Honoring The Past

EAA Chapter 36 Vice President Gary Keller gifted EAA with two handcrafted wooden stools to carry out the legacy and teachings of Paul Poberezny.

July 24, 2021October 17, 2025

Schaick, Scholler, and Mulva – The Names Behind the Signs

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

Like any other medium-sized city, the names of roads and other areas in and around the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds are identified by signs.

May 18, 2021October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Tom Poberezny’s Hard Hat

Attic, EAA Museum

On August 2, 1988, at the height of that year’s EAA fly-in and convention in Oshkosh, EAA broke ground on a major addition to our museum, the Eagle Hangar.

March 11, 2021October 28, 2025

Tribute to the Grandest Aviatrix: NC8407

Honoring The Past, Member Stories

An aircraft was just turning final and my brother stopped the car for a clear view. It looked very sturdy, like our Eads Bridge in St. Louis. We recognized it ... Read more

October 8, 2020October 29, 2025

Chapter 344 Mountain Dodgers Celebrate 50 years With Accomplished President

Chapters

EAA Chapter 344 is celebrating its 50th anniversary with its accomplished, longtime president.

June 4, 2020November 5, 2025

Give Flight Milestone

Chapters, Homebuilding, Youth Outreach

Congratulations to EAA Chapter 27 on the completion of their RV-12 build project (part of EAA’s Give Flight program) and first flight.

January 29, 2020October 20, 2025

Burt Rutan Visits AirVenture 2019

AirVenture, Homebuilding, Honoring The Past

Legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan was on the grounds at #OSH19 talking about his experiences and aircraft designs.

January 9, 2020October 17, 2025

Original Builder Inscriptions Found on EAA Travel Air

EAA Museum, Honoring The Past, Vintage

The mechanics working on the restoration of EAA’s classic Travel Air found something truly incredible when they uncovered its wings: inscriptions on the original ailerons that date back to the ... Read more

September 26, 2019November 3, 2025

Julie Clark and Matt Chapman — A Farewell to Air Show Performing

Aerobatics, AirVenture

After 40-year careers in the air show business, Julie Clark and Matt Chapman are hanging up their air show uniforms at the conclusion of their 2019 seasons.

September 5, 2019October 29, 2025

EAA’s Attic — Air Adventure Museum Sign

Attic, EAA Museum

Learn more about the EAA Air Adventure Museum sign in this installment of EAA’s Attic.

July 24, 2019October 28, 2025

Poberezny Salute

AirVenture, Honoring The Past

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 ... Read more

July 21, 2019October 20, 2025

First Airplane to Land at Oshkosh in 1970 Is Back in 2019

AirVenture, EAA Museum, Honoring The Past

John Dyke, EAA Lifetime 3566, generously donated a one-of-a-kind Dyke Delta JD-2 N555A to EAA that will be on the convention grounds in front of the Brown Arch during AirVenture ... Read more

July 21, 2019October 20, 2025

A Spotter’s Guide to the EAA Aviation Museum Aircraft Around the Grounds

AirVenture, EAA Museum

Every year, more than 10,000 aircraft fly to Wisconsin for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Of those, nearly 3,000 are showplanes — vintage aircraft, warbirds, homebuilts, aerobatic airplanes, etc. — that are ... Read more

July 21, 2019October 17, 2025

The First Oshkosh — No, it wasn’t in 1970

AirVenture, Honoring The Past

Anyone attending AirVenture this year can look around the grounds and see we’re celebrating something special — EAA’s 50th convention in Oshkosh. Except we’re not. If you read the fine ... Read more

July 20, 2019October 20, 2025

Baby Ace Comes Back

AirVenture, Homebuilding

Back in May of 1955, a Corben Baby Ace graced the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine with a simple headline: “Build this plane for under $800 including engine!” The magazine ... Read more

June 11, 2019November 3, 2025

Member Stories — Campbell Harrod

AirVenture, Member Stories

As EAA AirVenture celebrates 50 consecutive years in Oshkosh, Campbell Harrod, EAA 125214, shared some of his favorite moments from the convention.

May 22, 2019October 28, 2025

Stories of Oshkosh — Ruth Gallatin-Bock

AirVenture, Member Stories

Ruth Gallatin-Bock, EAA 340695, recalls her memories of growing up at EAA fly-ins with her father Harold Gallatin, EAA 20, who was one of the original five to help Paul ... Read more

April 24, 2019October 28, 2025

Stories of Oshkosh — Tom Steber

AirVenture, Member Stories

Tom Steber, EAA 144044, has been attending EAA Oshkosh for 50 consecutive years. To Tom, the best way to describe AirVenture is, “Everywhere you look, there’s another only-in-Oshkosh moment.”

March 26, 2019October 28, 2025

Guess the First Year!

AirVenture, Honoring The Past

How well do you know Oshkosh? Pick the year this aircraft FIRST attended Oshkosh convention!

February 13, 2019October 28, 2025

Stories of Oshkosh — Michael Urban

AirVenture, Member Stories

Michael Urban, EAA 116285, has attended every EAA Oshkosh since 1974, this is his story.

February 1, 2019October 28, 2025

Chapter 1 Celebrates 65 Years

Chapters

Photos from Flabob, as our first chapter commemorates a milestone.

January 23, 2019October 28, 2025

Stories of Oshkosh — Jerry Burke

AirVenture, Member Stories

Jerry Burke, EAA 365400, has been attending AirVenture since 1970 and this is his story.

January 10, 2019October 28, 2025

Stories of Oshkosh — Joe Norris

AirVenture, Member Stories

A family friend, Jim Miles, introduced me to EAA at the 1970 convention in Oshkosh. Jim asked if I wanted to go to the convention with him in his Piper ... Read more

November 8, 2018October 28, 2025

EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience Wraps Its Sophomore Tour

Why We Fly

For the second year, the EAA Spirit of Aviation mobile experience, presented by NATCA, has toured the United States spreading EAA’s passion for aviation to new audiences.

July 24, 2018October 28, 2025

Acro Sport Celebrates 45 Years

Aerobatics, Honoring The Past

EAA founder Paul Poberezny’s design is remembered.

July 16, 2018November 3, 2025

The Story Behind the Colored Runway Dots at KOSH

AirVenture

Landing on the dots at Oshkosh is a rite of passage for many EAA members. It is the ultimate, thrilling signal that you have arrived at the World’s Greatest Aviation ... Read more

April 13, 2018November 3, 2025

Antique VW Beetles Still Get Around at AirVenture

AirVenture

A historic group of Volkswagen Beetles continues to ferry people around the grounds at EAA AirVenture Oskhosh.

March 21, 2018November 5, 2025

EAA’s AirCam Build

Homebuilding, Youth Outreach

EAA’s AirCam, built by volunteers in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Young Eagles program, is nearing completion! Flight testing will begin in spring, and once complete the aircraft ... Read more

January 11, 2018October 29, 2025

Replicating the Original Breezy

Member Stories, Ultralights

Rob Unger, EAA 585561, bought this airplane a few years ago to honor his late father Carl, EAA 25215, co-creator of the Breezy.

January 4, 2018November 4, 2025

From a Baby Ace to a Tri-Motor

Honoring The Past, Volunteers

A member recalls how his personal aviation journey intertwined with EAA and a few of its airplanes.

September 27, 2017November 5, 2025

The Inaugural Oshkosh TIG Welding Class

Homebuilding

By Gert van der Sanden, EAA 444493 I have badgered EAA about the fact that the only TIG welding SportAir Workshops were always in Atlanta, a bit far away for me. ... Read more

August 24, 2017October 28, 2025

Frank Christensen – Celebrating 40 Years of the Eagle at AirVenture 2017

Aerobatics, AirVenture, Honoring The Past

EAA spent a few minutes with Frank at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, where we celebrated 40 years of the Eagle.

July 11, 2017October 17, 2025

Mechanix Illustrated Baby Ace Replica

Homebuilding, Honoring The Past

By Christopher E. Lehner, EAA 1175034 What a happy day it was when Bob Mohr of EAA Chapter 640 in Wausau, Wisconsin, said I would be the new owner of ... Read more

June 29, 2017November 5, 2025

When Aviation Runs In Your Family You Do Things Differently

Homebuilding, Member Stories

We Built a Thorp T-18 in Our Wisconsin Basement. But How Did We Get It Out? Reposted with permission from AvGeekery.com By Bill Walton Aviation has been a large part ... Read more

June 8, 2017October 16, 2025

Paul Poberezny Flying at EAA’s Convention

AirVenture

A throwback to Paul Poberezny at EAA’s fly-in!

May 24, 2017November 6, 2025

The First 11

Member Stories, Youth Outreach

Karl Garman, EAA Lifetime 397981, was one of the first Young Eagles to receive a flight when the program kicked off in 1992.

May 11, 2017November 6, 2025

A Look Back – EAA’s Young Eagles Launch Press Conference

Youth Outreach

On May 13, 1992, EAA launched the Young Eagles program with a goal of flying 1 million Young Eagles by 2003. As of this day in 2017, 25 years later, ... Read more

March 2, 2017October 28, 2025

From the Hangar Floor: Replicating Steve Wittman’s Buster

Chapters, Homebuilding, Honoring The Past

Being located in Oshkosh, EAA Chapter 252 has always had a strong connection to aviation great Steve Wittman. It is only fitting, then, for Chapter 252 to have the opportunity ... Read more

January 26, 2017October 28, 2025

EAA Celebrates 64 Years!

Honoring The Past

On January 26, 1953, EAA began with a with a simple meeting in Paul and Audrey Poberezny’s home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since then, EAA has been headquartered in first Milwaukee ... Read more

November 17, 2016November 6, 2025

Harrison Ford Kicks Off 25th Anniversary of Young Eagles

Youth Outreach

Grass-roots initiative introduces millions of kids to the possibilities of flight September 15, 2016 – What started in 1992 as a program to introduce kids to flight has evolved into ... Read more

November 17, 2016October 28, 2025

37 Years of Aviation Fun for Ultralight Chapter 1

Chapters, Ultralights

November 10, 2016 – EAA’s Ultralight Chapter 1 (Microlite Flyers), has been engaging its community in southeastern Wisconsin in recreational aviation for almost 40 years. This year’s Chilly Chili Fly-In ... Read more