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Why We Fly

Home » Why We Fly

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 7, 2019October 28, 2025

Finding Myself Through Learning to Fly

Learn to Fly, Milestones, Why We Fly

If you had told me 365 days ago that I would be a pilot by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, I’d have thought you were crazy.

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August 7, 2019October 28, 2025

Metamorphosis: Transforming From Student to Pilot

Learn to Fly, Why We Fly

Following my colleague’s flight training journey help me relive my own learning to fly memories.

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July 27, 2019November 3, 2025

A Deserving Salute

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Why We Fly
The warbirds around the grounds aren’t alone in having served their country. While airplanes usually take center stage at AirVenture, EAA makes it a priority to take a moment to ... 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 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
July 22, 2019October 28, 2025

A Super Group — The New Holstein Super Cub Fly-In

Chapters, Why We Fly
Pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike gathered in New Holstein on Sunday, July 21, to share their passion for flight. The New Holstein Super Cub Fly-In started in 2002 and was ... Read more
June 13, 2019October 16, 2025

Dedicated to Perfection

Honoring The Past, Why We Fly

It was an emotional reunion as a group of Stinsons gathered to honor an old friend.

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June 12, 2019November 5, 2025

Where the Fun Is — The Harter Family’s Aeronca 11AC

Vintage, Why We Fly

The Harter family of Greenfield, Indiana, has developed and nurtured a special affinity for one particular 1946 Aeronca 11AC Chief since 1996. It all started with a Piper Cub.

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June 6, 2019November 6, 2025

Relay Gives Pilots a Reason to Fly

Why We Fly

A bunch of pilots plus one well-traveled stuffed bear shows that GA is alive and well in Virginia.

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May 30, 2019November 7, 2025

Farewell Funk

Member Stories, Why We Fly

It’s never easy to say goodbye to an airplane.

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May 23, 2019October 20, 2025

The Story That Speedy Told Me

Member Stories, Why We Fly

Dale Mitchell, EAA 766538, shares a special story of how one airplane can make a large impact on many people.

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May 16, 2019November 6, 2025

International Learn to Fly Day!

Learn to Fly, Why We Fly
International Learn to Fly Day is this Saturday! Are you thinking about taking the first steps to earning your pilot certificate? We can help! EAA has developed pathways to flight ... Read more
May 16, 2019November 6, 2025

Landing the Space Shuttle — An Incredible Flying Machine and the Thrill of a Lifetime

Member Stories, Why We Fly
This was my first landing at the controls of Atlantis, and it was the culmination of a 10-day mission to the Russian Mir to deliver supplies and a fresh crew ... Read more
May 2, 2019November 6, 2025

The Cross-Country of a Lifetime

EAA Museum, Member Stories, Why We Fly

Arnold Ebneter planned for decades to make an epic solo cross-country flight, and eventually he was able to take that great adventure that so many who pursue aviation dream of.

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