member stories

January 20, 2025January 20, 2025

A Ray Scholar’s Flight Training Journey

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Greg Alberti, EAA 1225585, EAA Chapter 196 Ray Aviation Scholar As an 18-year-old, recently minted private pilot, I have been flying airplanes for over half of my life. The ... Read more

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Aviation History Made: First FAA-Approved Aerial Laser Show Illuminates Desert Sky

Air Show, Member Stories

By Story and photography courtesy of Christi Masi Aviation history was written in August 2024 when veteran air show performer Milne “CC” Pocock, EAA 1144988, and the Black Rock City ... Read more

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Simple Maintenance? Maybe Not

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the December 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Technicians were deep into their chores ... Read more

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

A Model Citizen

History, Member Stories, Ultralights

By Emme Hornung, EAA 1463093 This piece originally ran in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. When you think of Oshkosh, what specific airplanes come to mind? ... Read more

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

Alaska Once More

Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. A large driver for my focus ... Read more

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025

Ruffled Feathers: Taking Stock

Bits and Pieces, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

By John Wyman, EAA 452533; Chapter 266, Montreal Before I finished the preflight briefing with the crew today, I casually asked them if they had any resolutions going into the ... Read more

January 7, 2025January 8, 2025

A Mission With the “End in Mind” That Has a Plan B Built In: Part 1

Bits and Pieces, Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Sreekumar V Nair P. Eng., EAA Lifetime 1108291; EAA Chapter 1410, High River, Alberta What can I do to tickle the minds of future generations to focus on bettering ... Read more

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024

Turbulence Comes to the EAA Aviation Museum

EAA Museum, Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Dick Knapinski Pilots usually aren’t very fond of turbulence. This time, though, pilots will be eager to see it. The phenomenon this time is Turbulence, the Mike Patey-built and ... Read more

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024

Part 61 or Part 141?

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Steve Krog, EAA 173799 This piece originally ran in Steve’s Classic Instructor column in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Learning to fly under FAR Part ... Read more

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024

How to Say “Thanks” for the Gift of Flight

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Ella Lucas, EAA 1518806, EAA Chapter 96 A Ray Aviation Scholarship is the best Christmas gift ever. I recently received the Ray Aviation Scholarship from EAA. When I went ... Read more

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024

Ray Scholar Lola Waldrep Solos

Member Stories, Milestones, Youth & Young Eagles

By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866, EAA Chapter 677 President Lola Waldrep, EAA 1399617, soloed a Cessna 172N on November 24, 2024, at Lanett Regional Airport in Alabama. When she ... Read more

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

An Uphill (and Downhill) Struggle

Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. For a newly minted ... Read more

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

Lt. Tanner Matheny and Olivia: A Pilot and a Plane

Member Stories

Story and photography by Todd, EAA 1571783, and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571782 A young man’s dream began at age 14 after his first ride in a T-6 Texan. Under the ... Read more

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

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

December 5, 2024December 12, 2024

Plansbuilt or Kit?

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. If you were one of the ... Read more

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Sharing His Passion!

Member Stories, Youth & Young Eagles

By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866 On October 26, Hudson Williams, EAA 1618429, joined the ranks of EAA Chapter 677 youths that have flown Young Eagles, introducing six area young ... Read more

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

High River Build Group: Osprey Amphib

Bits and Pieces, Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Dennis Fox, EAA 1030810, EAA Chapter 1410 EAA Chapter 1410 in High River, Alberta, has been a hotbed of homebuilding for many years, and it continues today. Every chapter ... Read more

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

Mountain Destinations: Stave Lake, British Columbia

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By Mike Davenport, Vancouver, British Columbia A recent discussion about flying through British Columbia’s mountains from the Coastal Range to the Rockies brought to mind somewhere that is a little ... Read more

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

Ruffled Feathers: Avoid “Blushing,” but Don’t Be Shy

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By John Wyman, EAA 462533, Chapter 266, Montreal I think the thing that impresses me about EAA is that most everyone is a DIYer. There literally isn’t any subject in ... Read more

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

Rarified Air

Member Stories, Ultralights

By Nathan Finneman, EAA 1459460 This piece originally ran in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Setting records has always been an interest of mine, being good ... Read more

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

Becoming a New Amateur-Built Aircraft Owner

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I mentioned I would continue with ... Read more

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

Young Eagles Take Flight at Wings of Hope

Chapters, Member Stories, Youth & Young Eagles

By Carol Enright, Wings of Hope At a hangar at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) in Chesterfield, Missouri, EAA Chapter 1675 and aviation nonprofit Wings of Hope have forged ... Read more

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

The Making of a BIG Propeller for EAA’s Pheasant – Part 3

Member Stories, Volunteers

Story and photos by Paul Adams, EAA Chapter 675 President In Part 1 of this series, we made a 75-pound blank, and in Part 2 we made a propeller duplicating ... Read more

November 21, 2024November 21, 2024

Frustrations and Questionable Training

Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Steve Krog, EAA 173799 This piece originally ran in Steve’s Classic Instructor column in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. AirVenture is a time for me ... Read more

November 21, 2024November 21, 2024

The Making of a BIG Propeller for EAA’s Pheasant – Part 2

Chapters, Member Stories, Volunteers

Story and photos by Paul Adams, EAA Chapter 675 President In Part 1 of making this BIG propeller, I wrote about the purchase of 271 pounds of cherry wood and ... Read more

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024

The Making of a BIG Propeller for EAA’s Pheasant: Part 1

Chapters, Member Stories, Volunteers

By Story and photos by Paul Adams, EAA Chapter 675 President In the title you may notice two things. First, the word “BIG,” and second, “Part 1.” Well, these two ... Read more

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Washington Van’s Aircraft RV-7

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Michael “Z” Zyskowski, EAA 669825 This piece originally ran in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. When the August issue of EAA Sport Aviation landed on ... Read more

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024

Bad Choices

Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Every now and then ... Read more

November 13, 2024November 22, 2024

Flying Blind

Chapters, Learning to Fly, Member Stories, Youth & Young Eagles

By Ginger Jabour, EAA 1465016, EAA Chapter 288 Newsletter Editor “What is an airplane? I hear them and someone tried to explain it to me, but I don’t get it.” ... Read more

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight — Linda Thorn

AirVenture, Member Stories, Volunteers

This piece originally ran in the October 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Linda Thorn, EAA 842022, was honored at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 as the Dorothy Hilbert Volunteer ... Read more

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

Grumman F8F-2/G-58A Bearcat: An Air-to-Air Photo Mission

History, Member Stories, Warbirds

Story and photos by Todd, EAA 1571783, and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571782 Todd, EAA 1571783, and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571782, of WhitPics Media had the opportunity to attend the 2024 ... Read more

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024

Zenith: My Very Limited History With the Company

Bits and Pieces, Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Mike Davenport, Vancouver, British Columbia A recent flight in the Zenith company’s best-selling aircraft to date, the CH750 STOL, reminded me that I have had a small involvement with ... Read more

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024

The Dumbing Down of the Flight Deck

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By John Wyman, EAA 462533, Chapter 266, Montreal There is a dynamic to two people working in a cockpit. For a long time now, the modern airliner has only had ... Read more

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

An Evil Headwind

Member Stories, Ultralights

By Larry Fleming  This piece originally ran in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. The sun had risen on an early summer morning, as I prepared Nancy ... Read more

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

Maintenance for Reliability

Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I know there’ve been a few ... Read more

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

The Old Man and The Kid

Honoring The Past, Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Brian Hart, EAA 1457879 The Old Man was not always old; he had once been young and dreamed of flight. And when he was young, he had an Old ... Read more

October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

EAA’s Family Values

Chapters, Member Stories

If you ask anyone in the aviation world what aviation means to them, you’re likely to hear something along the lines of how important the aviation community is to them. ... Read more

October 17, 2024November 12, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Washington Murphy Rebel

History, Member Stories

By Tim Fiedler, EAA Lifetime 256056 This piece originally ran in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. This was started in 1992 by Jim LePard, an A&P/IA ... Read more

October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

Target Practice

Flying Tips, Member Stories

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. A long time ago, ... Read more

October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

EAA Chapter 838 Celebrates Major Milestones in Aviation Community

Chapters, Member Stories

EAA Chapter 838 in Racine, Wisconsin, is excited to announce several significant achievements and events marking a vibrant period for the chapter. The chapter has proudly welcomed its 500th member, ... Read more

October 15, 2024October 15, 2024

EAA Chapters at Flying Cloud Girls in Aviation Day

Celebrating Women, Member Stories

By Mark Kolesar, EAA 294238 On September 21, 2024, members of EAA Chapters 25, 54, and 1229 worked together to promote EAA programs such as Young Eagles, local chapter activities, ... Read more

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

A Big Trip for a Little Meerkat

Member Stories, Volunteers

By Karl Jensen, EAA 554322, EAA Chapter 322 Many EAA members here in South Africa help with flights for The Bataleurs, a group of volunteer pilots who fly for the ... Read more

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Hang Loose

History, Member Stories

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

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Stupid Pilot Decisions

Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Well. That’s a title that should ... Read more

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

The Power of 3 – Part Deux

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By Michael Baranowsky, EAA 1381366, Oshawa, Ontario, CYOO Builders like details. A lot of details. Reading an article about a triple redundant avionics panel without knowing the Mil-Spec of the ... Read more

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

Dinner at Mary’s

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By Mike Davenport, EAA 89102, Langley, British Columbia The Thursday night dinner special at Mary’s Bleue Moon Café was fish and chips. What better reason does one need to take ... Read more

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

I Remember When…

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Steve Krog, EAA 173799 This piece originally ran in Steve’s Classic Instructor column in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I remember when learning to fly ... Read more

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

A Different Sort of Restoration

History, Member Stories

By Kevin Renshaw, EAA 133861 On May 30, the Fort Worth Aviation Museum (FWAM) unveiled the static display restoration of YF-16 No. 2 (USAF tail number 72-01568) following a four-year ... Read more

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

A Dream Takes Flight in a Remote Indian Village

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Sabu Sivaraman, EAA Lifetime 709426 Though India has a very long aviation history and is now considered the fastest growing aviation market, experimental aviation or recreational aviation is almost ... Read more

September 19, 2024September 20, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Ontario Bowers Fly Baby Biplane

Flying Tips, Homebuilding, Member Stories

In a recent piece for EAA Sport Aviation, EAA member Scott Knowlton takes us through the rebuild of a derelict Fly Baby biplane.

Read more

September 19, 2024September 24, 2024

A New Set of Factors

Flying Tips

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. We don’t have to ... Read more

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024

Uncomfortable Is Good

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Matt Ringen, EAA 1304226 “Uncomfortable is good, stay there,” was the response I received from a flying mentor as he recognized I was at the very edge of my ... Read more

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024

Honesty at AirVenture

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Frank Hemko, EAA 569315 I’m 74 years old and have visited AirVenture six times since I retired. My 29-year career flying as captain on UPS B-727s, B-757s, and B-767s ... Read more

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight — Craig Olson

AirVenture, EAA Museum, Volunteers

This piece originally ran in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Craig Olson, EAA 116636, is the chairman of the Emergency Aircraft Repair team at AirVenture, a ... Read more

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024

A Pilot, a Passion, a Calling

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Sharon Puschmann, EAA 1382843 Pilots come in all shapes and sizes with different motivations, drives, and desires. Some are inspired by family members, military ambitions, or dreams of becoming ... Read more

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

Don’t Let the Old Man In

Member Stories, Ultralights

By George Karamitis, EAA 144192 This piece originally ran in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. The song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” by Toby Keith ... Read more

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

The Importance of Service Bulletins

Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. In May’s column I promised an ... Read more

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

It Takes a Village (Or Two EAA Chapters) to Raise a Pilot

Chapters, Member Stories

By Gary Ludeke, EAA 199851 This is a story about an 18-year-old young man, Jakin Messer, EAA 1293775, who is very passionate about having a career as an airline pilot. He ... Read more

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

From Wheels to Wings: A Young Eagle’s Story

Chapters, Member Stories, Youth & Young Eagles

By John Muhle, EAA 1360048, EAA Chapter 289 President It was Wings and Wheels in the summer of 2022, and a young man had made plans to attend the event ... Read more

September 3, 2024September 3, 2024

Fulfilling My Dream of Becoming a Pilot!

Bits and Pieces, Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Tristan da Cunha Monday, July 17, 2023, is a day I vividly remember. The VFR flight conditions were textbook perfect. It was on this day that I flew my ... Read more

September 3, 2024September 3, 2024

Ruffled Feathers: Dad

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By John Wyman, EAA 462533, Chapter 266, Montreal My father, Bill Wyman, passed away a year ago this past August. He was 87. A year later, I am left with ... Read more

August 29, 2024August 29, 2024

EAA Air Academy 2024 From the Deuce Lucas Crew

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Ella Lucas, EAA 1518806, Chapter 76 This summer, Lucas Garcia and I were selected for the Cajun Aviation Camp Scholarship. Every year they choose one guy and one girl ... Read more

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Missouri Glasair Sportsman

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Keith Eisberg, EAA Lifetime 1136501 This piece originally ran in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. My SkyRocket, a kitbuilt Glasair Sportsman, is my first kitbuilt ... Read more

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

A Cloud of Confusion

Member Stories

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. It was years ago ... Read more

August 15, 2024August 15, 2024

Getting Help

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. “Now that you’re a pilot, you ... Read more

August 15, 2024August 15, 2024

The Debbie Franceus Memorial Aviation Foundation Presents 2024 Aviation Spirit Award

Member Stories

By Mike Franceus In front of a crowd of approximately 300 pilots, friends, and family members, The Debbie Franceus Memorial Aviation Foundation presented its 2024 Aviation Spirit Award to Larry ... Read more

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

Oil in Strange Places

Member Stories, Ultralights

By Kenneth Florence, EAA 1509968 This piece originally ran in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. In March 2024, I purchased a fine example of a Leonard ... Read more

EAA’s The Green Dot — U.S. Coast Guard Pilot Tom Cooper

This time on The Green Dot, hosts Tom and Chris are joined by Tom Cooper, a retired commanding officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, to discuss some of the life-saving ... Read more

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

441 Supports Airport Open House

Chapters, Member Stories

By Ron Wanttaja, EAA 275698, Chapter 441 Newsletter Editor Like all airports, Dick Scobee Field in Auburn, Washington, depends on the goodwill of the people living in this small town ... Read more

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

Father and Son Duo Celebrate 30 Years at AirVenture

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee Barry, EAA Lifetime 151119, and Erwin Jay, EAA 139663, were back for another year at AirVenture! 2024 officially marked the 30th anniversary of the duo attending Oshkosh ... Read more

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024

Canada Is Now Electrified

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Michael Martin, EAA 1047599 The concept of electric airplanes in Canada, particularly demonstrated by the Pipistrel Velis Electro at EAA AirVenture 2024, highlights an innovative shift in aviation. This ... Read more

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024

Fear Factor and Flying

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Steve Krog, EAA 173799 This piece originally ran in Steve’s Classic Instructor column in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I read a statement the other ... Read more

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

Stanhope Fly-In: Ontario Cottage Country

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By Ian Brown, EAA 657159, Bits and Pieces, member of EAA Canadian Council I was fortunate enough to catch a ride from Orillia-Rama Regional Airport (CNJ4) in an amphib when ... Read more

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

Campbell River, BC Fly-In

Bits and Pieces, Member Stories

By Mike Davenport, EAA 89102, Langley, BC A trip to the Campbell River, British Columbia, annual fly-in on Sunday, July 14, displayed many exceptional aircraft for visitor’s scrutiny. Greg Booker ... Read more

July 31, 2024August 6, 2024

Pets at AirVenture

AirVenture, Bits and Pieces

By Michael Martin, EAA 1047599, Toronto, ON EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is indeed a premier event for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. The 2023 edition set impressive records, and 2024 went ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Nonstop Across the Atlantic

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Andrea Venturini A nonstop Atlantic crossing, from Scotland to Canada, a trip that typically can only be done via airliner, was achieved on June 14, 2024, in a two-seat, ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

The Two Flags

AirVenture, History

By Jim Roberts When the 2024 Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight departed Wittman Regional Airport on Friday morning, July 26, a unique passenger was on board. Accompanying the 100 local Vietnam ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Able Flight Gains Nine New Light-Sport Pilots

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz Able Flight awarded its greatest number of flight training scholarships in a year to people with a disability in 2024, and nine of those 10 scholarship ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Making Dreams Come True One New Year’s Resolution at a Time

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee Flying from his home in Aberdeen, Scotland, to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for the first time in his Bristell NG5 was the longest trip Bill Miazek, EAA 1601589, ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Ballet and Airplanes, Grace and Discipline

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver Ballet, airplanes, grace, discipline. For Mary Elizabeth Kurek, EAA 1333410 and current Ray Aviation scholar for EAA Chapter 461 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, these ideas fit well together. ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Alina Scott, 15, Returns to EAA AirVenture

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Abigail Oleniczak Alina Scott is a 15-year-old who is chasing her dreams with hopes to inspire other youths. After flying into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh solo in 2023, she returned ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

Teen Brothers Fly Into Oshkosh

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz The saying may be “A family that prays together stays together.” But for the Smith family, it’s a family that flies together. After getting stuck in ... Read more

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

WomenVenture

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz The secret to being successful is showing up 99 percent of the time, said Nicole Battjes, CEO of Rainbow Helicopters and keynote speaker at Wednesday’s WomenVenture’s ... Read more

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

The Sound of Freedom

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

By Jim Roberts It’s not every day you get to see and hear an aircraft engine that helped win World War II. Thanks to four dedicated volunteers, a 12-cylinder liquid-cooled ... Read more

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

Pretty (and Strong) in Pink

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee The pink airplane that can be spotted from around the grounds is the first of its kind, making its world debut at AirVenture 2024. With a fresh ... Read more

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

The First of Many AirVentures

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee Julio Julia, a Puerto Rican native, flew his 2021 SeaRey Elite (N287PY) across the country from Florida to Oshkosh, which is believed to be the longest seaplane ... Read more

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

What Makes a Family

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Emme Hornung When Len Perry decided to learn to fly at 35 years old, his wife, Helena, figured it was a midlife crisis. But it was never a phase ... Read more

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Young Oshkosh Camper Rides the Red Tram Despite Emergency Surgery

AirVenture, Member Stories

If anybody needs more excitement at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, ask one determined Illinois youngster who will be on the flightline this week. She not only survived a medical emergency ... Read more

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Tribute to a Hero

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz Hundreds gathered around Old Crow Tuesday to learn about the man who once flew the P-51 and pay tribute to one of America’s greatest heroes, even ... Read more

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Remembering Dick Rutan

AirVenture, Member Stories

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 25, 2024August 21, 2024

Rock Your Wings!

AirVenture, Member Stories

To a pilot, the words “rock your wings” are almost sacred. They mean we are approaching the small town of Fisk, Wisconsin, on the approach to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and ... Read more

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Aeronca Nation

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Jim Roberts From the day the Aeronautical Corporation of America set up shop in 1928 at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, until it closed the doors in 1951 in Middletown, ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

Cox Advocates for Disabilities While Encouraging Fearlessness, Adaptability

AirVenture, Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz To say Jessica Cox, of Tucson, Arizonia, has a can-do attitude is a massive understatement. She was born without arms and learned to do things with ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 25, 2024

From Adversity to Purpose

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

Last summer, Paul Barnett nearly lost his right leg. A little more than a year later, he’s helping folks climb up into the cockpit of the Corsair he flew in ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

2024 August Raspet Winner Awarded

AirVenture

By Angela Satterlee Mike Blyth — a test pilot, entrepreneur, and aircraft lover who founded Sling Aircraft — is the winner of the Dr. August Raspet Memorial Award this year. ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

Tiki Tower!

AirVenture, Volunteers

By Jim Roberts Jeff Coffey spent 30 years as an air traffic controller, including 15 years working SUN ’n FUN, and nine tours wearing the distinctive pink shirt of an ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

You’d Be ‘Plum Crazy’ Not to Fall in Love With Benzing’s P-51

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz Vicky Benzing wanted to fly a P-51 so bad that she took the training course to get qualified in the Mustang in hopes that someone would ... Read more

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

Kaleidoscope Airplane Aims to Make Flying Fun

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Barbara A. Schmitz Liam Hawkins, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was so afraid of flying that he had to take more than 1,000 commercial flights before he could get over ... Read more

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

From Massachusetts to Oshkosh

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee You could call it a gyro-dynamic experience, but for Sue Benua, EAA Lifetime 1262570, it was an unforgettable trip. Sue arrived Thursday in Oshkosh after a weather ... Read more

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

Flying in the Air Race Classic and Then to Oshkosh — What a Summer!

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver Pilots are a particular bunch. We are our own worst critics, overanalyze every flight we make, and are constantly striving for perfection. I’m still waiting to make ... Read more

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

Two-Thirds Scale TTP38 Volar’s Lightning

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh is a showcase for aircraft that are not found anywhere else. This year, an example of that is Jim and Mitzi O’Hara’s TTP38 Volar’s ... Read more

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

First ‘One Week Wonder’ turns 10

AirVenture

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

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

EAA Member Helps Preserve History at National Air and Space Museum

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver Have you ever wondered what it is like to work with some of our nation’s most precious and unique aviation artifacts? Imagine what it is like to ... Read more

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

It Was All an Adventure!

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver Part of the allure of aviation is getting out of your comfort zone, embracing the adventure of every flight, and expanding your knowledge — the operative phrase ... Read more

July 21, 2024July 22, 2024

Linda Thorn — EAA’s 2024 Dorothy Hilbert Award Winner

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Angela Satterlee Linda Thorn is the winner of this year’s Dorothy Hilbert Award, which honors a female volunteer who exhibits the same passion, dedication, and devotion for volunteerism as ... Read more

July 21, 2024July 21, 2024

Distinct ‘Recall’ Stearman Comes to Oshkosh

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

Story and photography by Robbie Culver Flying to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a rite of passage for pilots. Months of planning, sacrifices for good weather, and no small amount of ... Read more

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — California Cessna 182

Member Stories

By Michael Haney, EAA Lifetime 1133354 This piece originally ran in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. The story begins June 2021 in Mojave, California. I bought ... Read more

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024

Low and Slow

Member Stories

By Robert N. Rossier, EAA 472091 This piece originally ran in Robert’s Stick and Rudder column in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Last fall, my wife ... Read more

July 11, 2024July 11, 2024

Should You Install a Parachute in Your Homebuilt?

Homebuilding, Learning to Fly

By: Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. It’s that perfect spring day when ... Read more

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

The Thinker

Member Stories, Ultralights

By George Karamitis, EAA 144192 This piece originally ran in the May 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Every once in a while, someone will ask me, “George, when are ... Read more

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Maintenance for Reliability

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the May 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. At the end of the Part 1 ... Read more

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024

Attitude Flying

Learning to Fly, Member Stories

By Steve Krog, EAA 173799 This piece originally ran in Steve’s Classic Instructor column in the May 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Last week we began working with ... Read more

February 3, 2022

Member Spotlight — Raymond Caswell

Member Stories

After a wonderful 87 years of flying, Raymond (Ray) Caswell, EAA 28431, reflects on some of his favorite memories at 99 years of age.

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July 27, 2021

Admissions Volunteers

AirVenture, Celebrating Women, Member Stories

Volunteers are what make everything EAA does possible. With more than 5,000 volunteers helping out at AirVenture this year, it would be impossible not to run into one of them. ... Read more

July 25, 2021

Long Cross-Country – Teenage pilot arrives in style

AirVenture, Member Stories, Youth & Young Eagles

Seventeen-year-old Brady Sherrow, EAA 1062054, flew into Oshkosh on his longest cross-country trip yet, just two weeks after earning his private pilot certificate!

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July 8, 2021

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Ohio EAA Biplane

Homebuilding, Member Stories

EAA member Jonathan Walters takes us through the lengthy build of his EAA Biplane.

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November 24, 2020

5 States and 510 Airports in 55 Days Over 3 Years

Member Stories, Why We Fly

How Michael Haubrich became the first pilot to complete the airport passport program in five Midwest states.

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November 11, 2020

Stay Close to Home Flyout

Member Stories

On July 18, 2020, I organized a small fly-out to explore to some of our local airports.

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October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

An Aviation Dreamland Nestled in the Ozarks

Member Stories

Meet Todd Banks. Located outside of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, near the Missouri border, exists the Banks Ranch; a private oasis and aviation dreamland built by Todd himself, with a little ... Read more