70 Years of Dreamers and Doers

EAA celebrates its platinum anniversary

BY SAM OLESON AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF

SEVENTY YEARS AGO, on January 26, 1953, EAA was officially founded. That first meeting took place in a classroom at GranAire Inc. at Curtiss-Wright Airport (now Timmerman field) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with 36 pilots and aviation enthusiasts in attendance. Over the past seven decades, EAA headquarters has moved a few times and the annual members convention and fly-in has shifted around, but one thing has remained the same — the organization’s dedication to spreading The Spirit of Aviation. As we celebrate EAA’s platinum anniversary at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, each day we’ll share highlights from a different decade of our history.

THE 2010S-PRESENT

July 2012: EAA’s new Eagle Flights program makes its first flight during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Eagle Flights is a program to get adults involved in aviation through mentoring from EAA members and chapters.

August 2013: EAA founder Paul Poberezny goes west on August 22 at the age of 91, leaving behind an unmatched legacy in the homebuilt aircraft community.

July 2014: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for the first time.

November 2015: Jack J. Pelton is announced as EAA’s new CEO, having served as the volunteer chairman of the board since 2012.

July 2016: World-famous actor and former Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford flies the 2 millionth Young Eagle, Jodie Gawthrop, during AirVenture Oshkosh.

January 2017: The FAA announces the BasicMed program, a major reform in aviation medical certification and a 25-year goal of EAA’s advocacy efforts.