THERE MAY BE no more iconic aircraft in America than a Goodyear blimp. A blimp is a unique advertising extravaganza and a mainstay of live aerial television coverage at every imaginable sporting event. The Goodyear blimp represents the brand, but also is every bit of Americana as can be found in aviation.
This year, two of the Goodyear NT (new technology) airships — Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two — are in attendance in a salute to the 100th anniversary of Goodyear’s airship operations. There are three Goodyear blimps in the United States; Wingfoot Three is in for maintenance. To honor the heritage of the program, Wingfoot One is flying a livery inspired by the original Pilgrim. In 1925, Pilgrim became the world’s first commercial nonrigid airship that used helium. So which is it? A blimp or an airship? Well, both.
Chief pilot and Operations Manager Michael “Doc” Dougherty said they are “always going to be the Goodyear blimp.” It’s an “easy generic term,” he said, “but ‘blimp’ is not exactly proper anymore. Technically the term airship applies to all of the ones Goodyear is currently flying.” In 2014 Goodyear introduced the NT model, designed by Zeppelin, marking a shift to semirigid airships, which have a partial internal frame. The older blimps were nonrigid, which means the shape was not maintained by an internal structure.
Flying an airship is di erent than flying an airplane. Doc described it as “one of the most challenging things I ever learned to fly.” Doc should know; he has 18 years and between 5,000 and 6,000 hours in blimps. He also has about 2,700 hours of airplane time, some as an E-145 captain.
Doc continued, “You have to stay every bit ahead of it. Wind has a huge e ect, and you always land directly into the wind.” An airship never lands on runways, and wind pushes the airship sideways if it is not aligned with the wind precisely. You “can literally feel the energy in the seat of your pants,” he said. “[It’s] one of the hardest things to teach. It takes that need to a whole other level.” He compared landing the airship to taking a sailboat up to dock with full sails.
As the operations manager, a lot of Doc’s work is coordination and logistics. He said the teams have to be mission-ready and sta ed properly every day. He handles a lot of the administrative side including human resources and also standardization and training.
The organization is an IS-BAO stage 3 certified operator, which means it self-imposes a safety culture in its organization that is second to none. Doc owns a lot of that. The safety program has standards across the organization, so the team sees the same thing in every location it visits. Doc also runs the training department and is a designated pilot examiner (DPE). Goodyear currently has 10 full-time pilots. Becoming a Goodyear blimp pilot requires a commercial pilot certificate followed by approximately 250 hours of training to earn an additional lighter-than-air airship rating. The checkrides lead to being fully certified as a commercial pilot in airships.
PUBLISHER: Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO & Chairman of the Board
VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLICATIONS, MEMBERSHIP
SERVICES, RETAIL, SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND EDITOR IN
CHIEF: Jim Busha
MANAGING EDITOR: Hal Bryan
SENIOR EDITOR: Sam Oleson
EDITORIAL STAFF: Robbie Culver, Emme Hornung, Jim Roberts, Barbara A. Schmitz
SENIOR COPY EDITOR: Colleen Walsh
COPY EDITOR: Kyiah Nelson
“It’s always fun to be at EAA and be part of the air show. It’s the best of the best, the biggest stage, and a great honor for us! It’s a great way to cap off the biggest parts of the 100th anniversary.”
— Michael “Doc” Dougherty
Doc said that bringing the airship to AirVenture is special because “the aviation community understands how unique it is. It’s always fun to be at EAA and be part of the air show. It’s the best of the best, the biggest stage, and a great honor for us! It’s a great way to cap o the biggest parts of the 100th anniversary.” Doc is scratchbuilding a Sonex, so he fits right in!
The latest Goodyear blimps are 246 feet long and 58 feet high, cruise up to 73 mph with a range of 486 nm,
GOODYEAR / PAGE 4
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kaitlin Piette
PUBLICATIONS INTERN: Angela Satterlee
PRINT PRODUCTION TEAM LEAD/GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Marie Rayome-Gill
SENIOR SALES AND ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE: Sue Anderson
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EAA ARCHIVES
and have a 24-hour endurance if required. The maximum service ceiling is 8,530 feet. Each airship is powered by three Lycoming IO-360 engines that produce 200 hp each. There are two crew members on board, and the new, modern cabins seat up to 12 passengers with a restroom on board. The fully IFR-certified cockpit has fly-by-wire controls.
And that IFR certification? “This [was] a really cool project — the old blimps were legal but not standard,” Doc said. “We need IFR because live TV doesn’t wait. Probably 10 percent of operations are IFR or MVFR, and this gives the pilots a safety net. They were not IFR certified, and Goodyear went back to Zeppelin to discuss it.”
IFR operations for airships are not typical in Europe. Goodyear pushed a bit, Doc said, and to help speed up the process and make things go smoothly, the program was a test plan for the FAA. The paperwork was on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency side. The actual flight test involved two German engineers, Doc, and one other Goodyear pilot over two weeks of flying.
The process included executing every different approach the airship is capable of, including VOR, ILS, GPS, RNAV, and LPV, down to 200 feet and a half mile. “The tricky part was they wanted a localizer approach separate from an ILS and a back course,” Doc said.
The team had to make sure the Garmin system in the cockpit was operating and functioning in the right way, and sometimes they had to travel 40 to 50 miles to get the approach required. Doc added that it “was a rare project where two di erent aviation authorities worked together to get an approval for a unique aircraft.”
The testing was done in 2019, but the approval process was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and took another year to complete. Now the airships are day/night VFR and IFR approved.
GOODYEAR SUPPORTS EAA YOUTH PROGRAMS AT AIRVENTURE 2025
BY EMME HORNUNG
This year, as Goodyear is celebrating 100 years of airship operations, we are so glad to have two of the birthday blimps here in Oshkosh to celebrate with thousands of their biggest fans from around the world. Since 1925, the blimps’ gentle flight juxtaposed with their bloated appearance has left generations of spectators filled with awe, cementing the blimps as icons of the sky and inspiring countless people to discover what else aviation can offer. And that’s exactly what Goodyear hopes to do more of at AirVenture this year.
Goodyear and EAA have worked together to bring AirVenture attendees a commemorative 100th anniversary T-shirt, available at EAA merchandise locations, and Goodyear has requested all proceeds from the shirt sales go to EAA’s youth programs that introduce young people to aviation and inspire them to become tomorrow’s pilots, engineers, mechanics, and more.
“As part of Goodyear’s community engagement mission, we aim to inspire students to explore, innovate, and reach their full potential and prepare for careers, so we are thrilled to support EAA’s youth programming in tandem with celebrating our blimps’ 100th anniversary,” said Joni Fitch, Goodyear’s director of community affairs and engagement.
EAA’s youth programs, such as Young Eagles and AeroEducate, rely on more than just membership dues to carry out their important mission. So, when you purchase one of these navy-blue T-shirts, know that you’re not only celebrating an important anniversary, but also helping pave the way for aviation’s next generation.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR MADISON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EAA ARCHIVES
PAGE 4/ GOODYEAR
An approach is shot from the final approach fix (FAF) doing 30 to 40 knots and involves a lot of coaching and interaction with controllers. “Wind has a big e ect,” Doc said. Sometimes they do the approaches to closed runways to “stay out of everyone’s way.” Alternatively, ATC can send them to the FAF, and they will stay inside the approach parameters. The airships can also use helicopter adjustments because they operate a lot like a helicopter; for example, they can hover taxi and can have crew meet them. Alternatively, they can shoot an approach to the runway threshold.
The airships will be participating in the daily air show on Tuesday, July 22, and in the night air shows on Wednesday, July 23, and Saturday, July 26.
This evening at the Fly-In Theater, come experience the world premiere of Icon in the Sky, Goodyear’s documentary celebrating 100 years of airships. The show will start at approximately 8:30 p.m., and you don’t want to be late; a special guest will be helping to introduce the documentary!
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SUPPORTEROF
2025 Dorothy Hilbert Award Winner — Carol Corona
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
THIS YEAR’S DOROTHY Hilbert Award goes to Carol Corona, EAA Lifetime 545619, who has been volunteering for more than 40 years. This award recognizes a female volunteer who embodies the same enthusiasm and heartfelt dedication to volunteerism that Dorothy Hilbert was known for. Carol’s e orts have impacted the community and showcase what EAA is all about.
Carol has been volunteering at Flight Line Operations since she was 15, sparking a lifelong passion for aviation.
“I was fortunate to grow up in Oshkosh and even live close enough to the airport to see much of the air show from my backyard, as long as I was willing to stare into the sun,” she said. “I first attended AirVenture … when I was 4 years old. My dad got me a ride in a Piper Cub — I sat on his lap — and we were able to see our house from the air. I even saw my mom hanging up laundry in the backyard! I have been attending every year since — 1975-present.”
Carol’s dad worked in many areas on the grounds until he found his home at Flight Line Operations, and she came to love it as well.
“I started volunteering because my dad volunteered since EAA came to Oshkosh,” Carol explained. “By volunteering I was able to learn about airplanes and make friends who had similar interests.”
Shortly after she began volunteering, her sister and four of her cousins followed, forming what they call the “Cousin Crew.” They all worked under her dad, Jim
Casper, EAA Lifetime 56712, who ran the parking area in the North 40 until he took over as chairman of Flight Line Operations.
As the years passed, Carol began taking on more responsibilities. As she learned the inner workings of Flight Line Ops, she became a crew leader, then went on to be the chairman of GA Parking taking over for her dad. In 2017 she became the chairman of Flight Line Ops with her dad as a co-chair. “Being part of EAA is being part of a chosen family that also happens to include several of my actual family members,” she said.
“The friends I have met through EAA are lifelong friends — many of us grew up together, and I have watched some of the younger generation grow up each summer,” she said. “It is truly exciting to bring more people into this wonderful family.”
Winning such a prestigious award means a lot to Carol. “I am part of a volunteer group in which the less attention you get the better because if you are doing things right, no one should be hearing about you,” she explained. “My dad was also very humble and passed that along to me. So, I am incredibly surprised and honored to be part of the small group of women who have received this award.”
Growing up in Oshkosh meant being at the heart of EAA, something Carol never took for granted. Because of her passion and dedication, she is an honored member of the EAA community.
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
SUITE UPGRADE SOLUTIONS
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
The Burns Family
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
TAMI BURNS, EAA 799426, from Almond, Wisconsin, started volunteering at the North 40 camping registration station in 2009. She soon decided that it really wasn’t what she wanted to do, saying it felt too much like what she did for her real job. But the next year, she stumbled upon the aircraft greeters, began volunteering with them, and is now their lead co-chair.
“I just really fell in love with just being out in the field and being around the airplanes and meeting the pilots and making a whole new group of friends that you only see once a year.”
Tami attended AirVenture with her husband for many years prior to
that and always thought it would be really cool to volunteer somewhere on the grounds.
“I saw that there was an opportunity to be there, and it sounded like fun, and we had made some friends that actually come up every year and camp there in the North 40,” she said. “So I just thought it would be fun to actually be there on the grounds all the time and be a part of the event somehow.”
Tami had been trying to convince her family to volunteer with her, so when her son Nick got a little bit older and became available to help out, she recruited him. Nick started volunteering with Tami in 2018, and they have been doing it together ever since.
Nick has recently been growing the Burns family legacy at AirVenture by bringing his children to enjoy parts of the
show. At 2 years, 22 months, and 10 months, he’s introducing them to aviation at very young ages.
As an aircraft greeter himself, Nick said that he was always interested in the international pilots, “especially the ones from Europe that fly their small aircraft from Germany or England or even some from the Central American countries,” he said. The fact that they fly thousands and thousands of miles to come to AirVenture really stuck out to him.
Nick said that since there are so many di erent volunteer opportunities, you can find an area where you’d like to volunteer, so you should try to do it with those you love.
“With the variety of areas that you could work in … anybody can find something to do that they would enjoy doing,” Nick said.
Volunteering has become a family affair for the Burnses, and now a big group of them camp together in Camp Scholler, which Tami said has only enriched their experience as volunteers.
Volunteering for a cause is always important, but doing it with family makes it that much more special.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NICK AND TAMI BURNS
UAS4STEM 2025 Nationals
Teams compete at AirVenture
BY UAS4STEM
ARE YOU INTERESTED in drones? Do you like to see what kind of challenges drones can overcome? Do you enjoy seeing young aviation enthusiasts work together as cohesive teams to complete di cult and engaging challenges? Do you like to
UAS4STEM is an educational science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STE(A)M) drone engineering challenge that pushes youths to design, build, and carry out missions with an uncrewed aircraft system.
have fun and fly drones with your best buddies? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be interested in checking out the UAS4STEM Nationals flight operations in Camp Scholler today, Monday, July 21, and Tuesday, July 22.
UAS4STEM is an educational science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics-STE(A)M-drone engineering challenge that pushes youths to design, build, and carry out missions with an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). Originally a Naval Air Systems Command Program sponsored by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in 2012, UAS4STEM was turned over o cially to the AMA in 2013 and has continued to evolve over the years.
Teams of four to 10 students ages 11-18 complete an in-depth online
Pilot Proficiency Center
Training for Every Pilot
EAA® and Redbird have joined forces this year at the Pilot Proficiency Center to provide training options that fit every experience level and schedule. We’ve built a training catalog that includes:
• Full-day VFR and IFR refreshers for active pilots looking to sharpen their skills.*
• Open Sim Training sessions for pilots who want to get a taste of open sim training while still getting the whole Oshkosh experience.*
• A first-of-its-kind Rusty Pilots + Redbird Sim course powered by AOPA to help get you back in the cockpit.*
• Dedicated sim sessions and presentations will show you how to get into backcountry flying.*
• A Right Seat Ready course for spouses that includes hands-on Redbird sim training.*
Registration required
Free, one-day course focused on VFR flying and top factors related to accidents. Training consists of three hours of ground instruction and three hours of simulator work with a flight instructor.
Mustbeactiveandcurrentprivate pilotorhigher.
Get some free flight training with an expert flight instructor in one of our Redbird sims. Designed for certificated pilots, current or not, each session will last approximately 45 minutes and can be tailored to your needs. You can choose to focus on VFR flying, IFR flying, or crosswind landings.
Teams of 4-10 students must work together to successfully compete in UAS4STEM.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYCE HUTCHENS
PAGE 12 / UAS4STEM
ground school, learn how to build a drone, program the drone to complete that year’s challenging missions, present their progress and achievements to industry experts, and compete for the chance to show off their skills at the national UAS4STEM competition here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Every team must also have at least one adult mentor, although teams are allowed one additional optional mentor. Each competitor and two mentors per team receive an annual AMA membership upon registering.
Teams can compete in either the beginner or advanced division. The beginner division was created to reduce the barrier of entry. The UAS4STEM sta increases the di culty of the competition yearly to challenge experienced competitors. Because of this, the beginner division focuses on teaching new drone pilots the fundamentals of drone operation rather than adding complicated tasks. The advanced division
FORUM SCHEDULE
SUPERIOR ENGINE FORUMSCleared for a Safe Flight
Superior Air Parts AirVenture 2025 Forum Presentation Schedule
MONDAY
10:00am Basic Engine Inspections & Trend Monitoring That Owners Can Perform
TUESDAY
10:00am Engine Leaning Made Simple
8:00am Setting Piston Ring Gap & Cylinder Life
Hosted by Bill Ross, A&P I/A 2023 GAA National Aviation Technician of the Year Award Winner! A&Ps, please join us at 8:00am on Tuesday, July 22nd for TECH TUESDAY Each seminar qualifies for 1 hour of IA Renewal Credit & FAA WINGS Credit
WEDNESDAY
10:00am Communicating Effectively with your Aircraft Mechanic
10:00am Engine at or Beyond TBO, What should you do?
SATURDAY
10:00am Basic Engine Inspections & Trend Monitoring That Owners Can Perform
EAA places an immense amount of trust into the youth UAS4STEM competitors, and the teams consistently show their appreciation by behaving with the utmost respect for the airspace and all AirVenture goers.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYCE HUTCHENS
UNMATCHED EFFICIENCY
14 / UAS4STEM
transforms the flying and programming competition into an engineering challenge.
Once a team is registered, the first step is to read through the provided rulebook. The rulebook will provide any competitor with all the tools they need to get started on their dronebuilding journey. The team will need to read through the specifications to ensure that their drone is competitionready. Students and mentors will also receive login information for the UAS4STEM ground school course, which is a required element of the competition. Anyone participating in the competition must take this course to ensure they are prepared and knowledgeable about flying UAS. Ground school introduces participants to the fundamentals of flight and sUAS (small UAS), aviation safety, ethical airmanship, the national airspace system,
UAS4STEM / PAGE 18
UAS4STEM is an incredible STE(A)M program that encourages youth pilots to explore new challenges and experiences.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYCE HUTCHENS
Innovative Firsts and Aviation’s Future
For 120 years, our engines have helped shape this industry, with landmark innovations that put pilots first. The first Jet-A engine for GA, FADEC, fuel injection, turbocharging—advancements in performance and quality. Together with you, we celebrate aviation’s pioneers, and our shared journey toward the future of flight.
Continental ®: Powering Legacies Forward.
AIRVENTURE SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Booth 229-234
MONDAY, JULY 21ST
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lean of Peak Explained: Fuel, Fire, and the Facts
Achieving TBO with Confidence: Built to go the Distance
Jet-A Piston Engines: Ownership, Maintenance, and Operation
TUESDAY, JULY 22ND
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lean of Peak Explained: Fuel, Fire, and the Facts
Engine 101: The Fundamentals Every Pilot Should Know
Tempest presents Spark Plug Design and Maintenance: Cleaning the Right Way
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lean of Peak Explained: Fuel, Fire, and the Facts
Achieving TBO with Confidence: Built to go the Distance
Hartzell presents Continental® Starter and Electrical Systems
THURSDAY, JULY 24TH
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lean of Peak Explained: Fuel, Fire, and the Facts
Achieving TBO with Confidence: Built to go the Distance
Jet-A Piston Engines: Ownership, Maintenance, and Operation
Lean of Peak Explained: Fuel, Fire, and the Facts
Achieving TBO with Confidence: Built to go the Distance
PAGE 16 / UAS4STEM
radio communication, and many more important things to know while operating drones and UAS.
After assembling a team, completing ground school, and building and programing a drone, teams can show o all they’ve accomplished to featured guest judges at the UAS4STEM virtual preliminary competition in April. Teams are tasked with presenting a flight readiness review (FRR), which includes introducing themselves, establishing their roles within their team, giving a system overview and safety of their drone, and finally explaining their premission briefing, developmental test results, and evidence of mission accomplishments. Each team must also film a video demonstrating the spirit of the UAS4STEM competition. The specific requirements for the team video depend on whether the team is in the beginner or advanced division, and the details are available in the rulebook. Following the FRR, teams complete a mission using
mission planning software to show o their drone programming knowledge. This year, 19 teams competed in the 2025 UAS4STEM preliminaries.
Here are the teams that participated within the beginner division: the 55 Hot Wings (Sterling, Virginia), the Bumblebees (Hawthorn Woods, Illinois), Chisholm Longhorns (Enid, Oklahoma), the Corntographers Bravo (Yorktown Heights, New York), the Flying Nuggets (Decatur, Georgia), Greenland Central (Greenland, New Hampshire), Neuqua Valley (Naperville, Illinois), Redstone Bravo (Huntsville, Alabama), Scio Flyers (Dexter, Michigan), Skyward Eagles (Apex, North Carolina), St. Mary’s CAP (Hollywood, Maryland), and the Teton Valley Crusaders (Tetonia, Idaho).
These are the teams that participated within the advanced division: the 55
Knights (Sterling, Virginia), the Aerodactyls (Deerfield, Illinois), the Corntographers Alpha (Yorktown Heights, New York), the Hardin Valley AeroHawks (Lenoir City, Tennessee), McIntosh Aeronautics (Peachtree City, Georgia), Redstone Alpha (Huntsville, Alabama), and Some Assembly Required (Mount Airy, Maryland).
The top teams in each division are invited to compete at the in-person nationals at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. EAA puts so much trust into these young students to operate within a highly saturated airspace. Clearance is granted to these students under the expectation that they will abide by parameters such as altitude caps and geofences. Regardless of these strict parameters, EAA puts an immense amount of trust into the UAS4STEM competitors since Wittman Regional becomes the
busiest airport in the world during the week of AirVenture. It is the highest compliment to AMA and participants that EAA grants this competition such clearance.
The following teams were invited to compete at the 2025 UAS4STEM Nationals in the beginner division:
• Corntographers Bravo
• The Flying Nuggets
• Neuqua Valley
• Skyward Eagles
• St. Mary’s CAP
• The Teton Valley Crusaders
And these teams were invited to compete in the advanced division at the 2025 Nationals:
• 55 Knights
• The Aerodactyls
• Corntographers Alpha
• The Hardin Valley AeroHawks
• McIntosh Aeronautics
• Redstone Alpha
• Some Assembly Required
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PAGE 18 / UAS4STEM
Once teams arrive at AirVenture for the competition, they camp with their fellow competitors, show off their impressive achievements, and compete to win cash prizes, trophies, and Skydio professional drones. On top of presenting an updated FRR in person to new guest judges, teams will participate in flight operations to complete that year’s challenges. The challenges vary from year to year, but in the past competitors have picked up and delivered payloads, programmed their drone to do waypoint navigation using mission planning software, and located points of interest along with their GPS coordinates. The specific challenges depend on the year’s rulebook and whether a team is competing in the beginner or advanced division.
AMA and the UAS4STEM sta would like to both thank and congratulate all teams who are competing in the 2025 UAS4STEM Nationals. It takes lots of skill, dedication, time, and hard work to be a part
of UAS4STEM, and we are honored that you are competing with us.
If you are interested in seeing the hard work and dedication these young competitors pour into this competition, we invite you to visit the UAS4STEM flightline. Flight operations will take place Monday, July 21, and Tuesday, July 22. In the event of poor weather, there will be a makeup day on Wednesday, July 23. Advanced teams will perform their flights operations July 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Beginner teams will perform their flights operations July 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The 2025 UAS4STEM Nationals Competition Awards will take place on Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 23, prior to the evening air show at 7:45 p.m.
The UAS4STEM flightline can be found in Camp Scholler, and we welcome anyone who is interested in seeing the competition to come by and o er our competitors the recognition they truly deserve. To find the flightline, travel to the Red One Market South in Camp Scholler. Once there, head west until you find the UAS4STEM banners. We look forward to seeing you!
WARBIRDS
Warbirds Tram Tour
The aviation lover’s amusement park ride
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
TUCKED IN THE heart of Warbird Alley at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Warbirds Tram Tours have become a must-see attraction — part history lesson, part entertainment, and all passion. What began in 2009 as a modest operation with a single tent and a few volunteers has grown into a beloved experience that now draws nearly 10,000 riders each AirVenture.
Starting today, Monday, July 21, and running through Saturday, July 26, trams run from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., and registration is open from 7:30 a.m. until around 1:30 p.m. Each 30-minute ride is free. Riders board open-air trams — which seat 30 to 32 people — and are greeted by a briefer. They are then guided through 12 action-packed zones by a driver and a narrator from Fightertown to Vietnam-era aircraft and bomber transports, ending at the Warbirds gift shop. Riders receive a free copy of EAA’s Warbirds magazine, a site map, and a heartfelt thank-you to all active and retired military members. It’s a memorable experience for all ages!
The narrators have a burning passion for war aircraft, making them the soul of the tours. Many have family members who have served our country and want to honor them. They have a real connection to the movement and want to
passed down word-of-mouth,” Vic Krause, the chairman of the Warbirds Tram Tours, explained. “This is stuff you can’t just find anywhere. … So these narrators are pure gold.”
Having been a part of the trams since the very beginning, 16 years ago, Vic said his favorite part of the tours is entertaining the crowds, describing the tour as “just like a Disney ride. People won’t remember what you said or did … but they’ll remember how you made them feel,” he said. And he makes sure everyone has fun!
Vic works closely with his wife, Debbie Krause, and his co-chairman, Joe Alhart, along with nearly 40 other volunteers who all make this attraction happen and allow everything to flow smoothly. In addition, sponsors Hartzell Propeller, Concorde Battery, Tempest Aero Group, Covington Aircraft Engines, the Ray Foundation, Sarasota Avionics, and Heritage Aero provide significant support.
Check out the Warbirds Tram Tour this AirVenture for a fun, memorable, and educational experience!
“A lot of their knowledge got passed down word-of-mouth. … So these narrators are pure gold.” — Vic Krause
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW ZABACK
ADVOCACY & SAFETY
Flying Toward a Lead-Free Future: What Aircraft Owners and Pilots Can Expect
BY EAGLE
BY THE END of 2030, there is a national goal for the general aviation community to move to unleaded aviation fuels.
EAGLE, short for Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions, is a joint industry/government initiative bringing together general aviation — aircraft and engine manufacturers, fuel developers and producers, maintenance professionals, fix-based operators (FBOs), airports, federal regulators, and, most importantly, aircraft owners and pilots — to ensure a safe, smart, and smooth transition to unleaded fuels for piston aircraft.
The Need for an Unleaded Fuel
The EPA issued a formal endangerment finding in 2023 identifying lead emissions as a public health risk, which by law requires a cut to these emissions. At the same time, the production of tetraethyl lead (TEL) — the chemical additive that makes 100LL low lead — is slowly coming to an end. Even without new regulations, the long-term availability of 100LL is uncertain.
Add to that mounting pressure from state and local governments to restrict or outright ban the use of leaded avgas, and it’s clear that inaction is not an option. We cannot allow safety to be compromised; a suitable replacement fuel must be developed and deployed.
A Unified, Industry-Backed Approach
EAGLE’s mission is to guide the transition to unleaded avgas in a way that ensures reliability, protects safety, and maintains the economic viability of general aviation. The initiative provides advice and guidance to government, industry, and fuel developers.
EAGLE is not reinventing the wheel. It builds on the technical testing already underway through the FAA’s Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) being applied to LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s candidate fuel, while also supporting supplemental type certificate (STC) pathways used by General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) and Swift Fuels. In simple terms, EAGLE supports multiple pathways to achieve a lead-free solution that works across the diverse piston-engine fleet.
Accomplishments Thus Far
Several unleaded fuel candidates are already in the pipeline:
• G100UL by GAMI has been granted an AML-STC for most piston-engine airplanes and is working to expand this to piston-engine rotorcraft.
• 100R by Swift Fuels is STC-approved for some Cessna 172 models and their respective engines, with more approvals expected.
• UL100E, developed by LyondellBasell and VP Racing, is undergoing fleet authorization testing via the FAA’s PAFI program.
But FAA approval alone is not the finish line. Each stakeholder involved in deploying and supporting a new fuel must have the data needed to make informed decisions to produce, store, distribute, and support safe aircraft operations.
This includes technical understanding of fuel composition and properties like materials compatibility, detonation resistance, and engine durability. EAGLE is closely monitoring the FAA-led comparative testing program to ensure the market has consistent, apples-toapples data on the fuel candidates.
Preparing the Market — And Your Aircraft
Transitioning the GA fleet and fueling infrastructure to unleaded avgas is no small feat. It’s more than testing fuels — it’s about preparing general aviation. That means working with fuel producers, distributors, and FBOs, and making sure aircraft owners and mechanics have the resources they need to make an educated transition. Unleaded fuel isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it o ers real benefits for aircraft owners. AOPA testing has shown less engine wear with unleaded fuel, and Rotax engines recommend longer oil change intervals — 100 hours on unleaded versus 25 with 100LL — pointing to improved engine health and reduced maintenance.
Congress and the FAA have made clear that 100LL must remain available until a fuel has been authorized for use by the FAA administrator as a replacement in nearly all piston-engine aircraft and engine models and meets either an industry consensus standard or other standard that facilitates the safe use, production, and distribution of such unleaded aviation gasoline, as determined appropriate by the administrator. FAA’s new Grant Assurance 40 requires federally funded airports to continue o ering 100LL if they did so prior to 2022 unless an alternative has been formally approved and adopted. As of April 2025, the FAA has confirmed that no such fuel meets these criteria yet.
What You Can Do
If you’re an aircraft owner or operator, stay informed by following EAGLE announcements and field updates at FlyEAGLE.org.
Speak with your A&P mechanic about your aircraft’s fuel systems and components, its condition, and what adjustments or upgrades — if any — are needed to operate safely on unleaded fuel.
EAGLE is here to facilitate a safe and thoughtful transition. With your engagement and support, we can work toward the 2030 goal without compromising the safety of flight that keeps our community in the air.
EAA SPORTAIR WORKSHOPS TURN 25
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
FOR A QUARTER of a century, EAA SportAir Workshops have been providing aircraft homebuilders the technical instruction and hands-on experience needed to build safe and functional aircraft. These workshops have helped many enthusiasts take their homebuilt projects from the hangar to the sky, while also creating a community of skilled builders.
The journey began in 1993 when EAA member Ron Alexander, who ran a supply house for aircraft materials, realized builders needed hands-on training to properly use the supplies they were purchasing. Thus, the SportAir Workshops were born. Ron traveled extensively, giving seminars and demonstrating skills to eager audiences. In 2000, EAA bought
the SportAir Workshops from Ron Alexander, building on his work to make it into the program that continues to thrive today.
Dick Koehler, EAA 161427, a long-term workshop instructor for the Electrical Systems & Avionics workshop, believes
the core of EAA is homebuilding. He emphasized the importance of nurturing this activity through the SportAir Workshop program. “When it really comes down to the heart and soul of EAA, it is people building their own planes! We need to nurture and promote that activity
above all else,” he said. “One of the best ways we do that is by offering the SportAir Workshops program.”
The workshops aim to introduce core skills and demystify the processes, helping attendees build safe and operable aircraft.
However, young people have fewer opportunities to learn practical skills with hands-on tools. “Today’s youth have very few shop skills by comparison,” Dick said. “If we don’t have training programs for the next generation of potential homebuilders, the EAA will become a
The workshops aim to introduce core skills and demystify the processes, helping attendees to build safe and operable aircraft.
SOMETHING REVOLUTIONARY IS COMING
Stay tuned for the next evolution in situation awareness and flight safety. See for yourself at OSHKOSH 2025, SPACE 326.
www.nighthawkfs.com
SPORTAIR / PAGE 28
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM SASIN
A Family You Can Depend On
The FJ33® and FJ44® family of engines won’t let you down. Our Total Assurance Program (TAP BlueTM) covers all engine maintenance for a fixed cost per flight hour, scheduled and unscheduled, including all service bulletins plus whatever nature throws at you. TAP Blue is the only engine maintenance program that covers foreign object damage (FOD) including bird strikes and lightning strikes. Simple, predictable, and affordable – you can rely on TAP Blue.
SUN N FUN 2026
PAGE 26 / SPORTAIR
club of old guys and will die as us old guys disappear.”
ENTER TO WIN!
(2) Weekly wristbands
(1) Week of camping
(1) $500 Airline flight voucher
(2) Bok Tower Gardens tickets
(2) LEGOLAND tickets
(2) Living Water Boat Tour tickets
SCAN TO ENTER
Roger Stuckey, EAA Lifetime 122373, was recently introduced to these workshops in the beginning of the year when he attended his first class with his son in an attempt to get him interested in building aircraft. They enjoyed the class so much that they’ve already attended another, with two more on their calendars.
Roger believes these workshops are crucial for safety and skill development. “Our instructor first explained the welding technique, demonstrated the technique, and monitored our progress on mastering the technique until individually we were ready to proceed to the next level,” Roger said. “Perfection was not the goal: Completing and understanding what a safe weld looks like is what we achieved.”
Dick said Charlie Becker, EAA director of chapters and homebuilding, and EAA Program Manager Mark Forss have done a great job of finding experienced experts in each field who are also great instructors. “I, personally, like working with each and every one,” he said. “We all work together to make a good experience
“When it really comes down to the heart and soul of EAA, it is people building their own planes! We need to nurture and promote that activity above all else.”
— Dick
Koehler
for the attendees. … We are a team, not a bunch of individuals. This is a testament to the leadership of the program by Mark Forss and Charlie Becker.”
As EAA SportAir Workshops celebrates 25 years, it continues to be a vital part of EAA’s mission, keeping the spirit of aviation homebuilding alive. With dedicated instructors, thorough training, and a supportive community, these workshops help ensure that the tradition of aircraft homebuilding continues to thrive for future generations.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
SportAir Workshops offers various classes year-round across the United States, typically held over two days on weekends. Each workshop provides participants with workbooks, personal protective equipment, and all necessary tools and materials. The classes cover essential topics such as composite construction, sheet metal basics, fabric covering, electrical systems & avionics, TIG welding, fiberglass techniques for RV aircraft, and gas welding.
Registration is limited to 16 students per class, ensuring personalized attention and instruction. EAA’s experienced instructors create a safe and supportive environment where homebuilders can learn to use tools, materials, and chemicals proficiently. Through targeted skills-building projects, participants develop the necessary skills to complete their aircraft builds. Learn more at EAA.org/SportAir.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNA HELEIN
Tuesday, July 22
10–11:15 a.m.
WAI WomenVenture Forum at the WomenVenture Center
Meet WAI CEO Lynda Co man during her Oshkosh WomenVenture panel discussion:
The Sky is Unlimited—How to Create a Pipeline of Future Workforce Talent
Moderator: Lynda Co man, WAI CEO
Wednesday, July 23
8–9 a.m.
WAI Connect Breakfast
Supported by WAI Strategic Partners Amazon and United Sponsored by Avemco
Paul H. Poberezny Conference Center (PHP Tent)
Purchase tickets onsite at the WAI booth in Hangar B-2041.
Panelists:
Olga Custodio, the first Latina pilot in the U.S. Air Force and American Airlines.
Xyla Foxlin, an engineer and pilot with a love for hands-on building.
Jensen Kervern and Jessica Miladinovich, airship pilots with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
Keynote Speaker
National Transportation Safety Board Chair
Homendy Oshkosh Meet and Greet WAI booth Hangar B-2041
Curran Tuesday, July 22 1:15–2:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 1:15–2:15 p.m. SCAN ME Join Today!
Olga Custodio Jensen Kervern Jessica Miladinovich Xyla Foxlin
FAA IS HIRING AT OSHKOSH!
Join Us at the Safety, Engagement, Education and Critical Hiring Center (SEECH Center) – Your Career in Aviation Starts Here!
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Get a Job Offer Today!
•Engineers
•Medical Officers
•Aviation Safety Inspectors
Learn how to apply.
AIRPLANES AND ARTICLES
AirVenture Today staffer celebrates 30 years of adventures
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
BARB BENISH 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 the Oshkosh Northwestern after graduation. She has been reporting on the fly-in and convention annually since 1985.
After the birth of her daughter, Barb left the Northwestern to become a stayat-home mom and freelance writer. In 1995, when she learned that General Aviation News planned to publish a daily paper on the EAA grounds, she reached out and applied for the position. It turned out to be a fun and easy role for her because she was already well acquainted with the EAA staff, including Paul and Tom Poberezny, and had a deep understanding of the organization’s history. Eventually, EAA took over the daily newspaper, and Barb has continued to be invited back year after year.
In addition to working with EAA, Barb has had an accomplished career in journalism, holding various roles including editor-in-chief for MARRIAGE magazine, executive secretary for NEWSPA, internship coordinator and adjunct faculty at UWO’s Department of Journalism, and adviser for the UWO student newspaper, the Advance-Titan
One of Barb’s key contributions to the AirVenture Today team is her mentorship of younger writers who volunteer for the paper, EAA’s managing editor Hal Bryan said. Over the years, whenever aspiring journalists have joined the team, Barb
“I really admire how Barb gives back by mentoring young volunteer writers. … She works with them on everything from how to find stories to interviewing people and crafting those conversations into engaging stories.”
— Colleen Walsh
BARB / PAGE 31
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BARB BENISH
PAGE 30 / BARB
has consistently taken them under her wing — guiding, coaching, and supporting them through the writing process. This nurturing role is a natural extension of her background in education and has proven to be an incredibly valuable asset to the publication.
“I really admire how Barb gives back by mentoring young volunteer writers,” Colleen Walsh, AirVenture Today senior copy editor, added. “She works with them on everything from how to find stories to interviewing people and crafting those conversations into engaging stories.”
“Barb brings passion, talent, stability, and experience,” Hal said. “She’s a calming influence … a resource, and somebody who just makes the whole [paper] run smoother and easier. … She’s got more experience than several of the rest of us combined, and that makes it fun.”
That deep well of experience and steady presence hasn’t just shaped the paper — it’s also fueled Barb’s own
enduring passion for the event. Her love for EAA and AirVenture is evident in every story she writes and every connection she makes.
“I absolutely love working on AirVenture Today ,” Barb said. “It’s not only the great people I work with each year, but it’s also the people I get to meet and interview — astronauts, air
show performers, WASP, celebrities like Harrison Ford and Morgan Freeman, and ‘regular’ people who all share such a passion for aviation. All those people have become my second family.”
EAA offers experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else — truly “only in Oshkosh” moments, so Barb has had
the opportunity to do incredible things and meet remarkable people over the past three decades.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to meet some of aviation’s ‘greats’ like Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, Steve Wittman, and others,” Barb said. “And to do things I’d never have a chance to do otherwise, including flying in the Goodyear blimp, Ford Tri-Motor, and in the chase plane of Sean D. Tucker or accompanying the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and experiencing the emotional return to Wittman Regional Airport.
“I’m always exhausted by the time AirVenture is over and glad to be done,” she said, “but by the time June comes around, I’m ready to do it all over again.”
Over the past three decades, Barb has been an absolute asset to the whole operation, contributing her expertise and passion to the publication. While many employees have come and gone, Barb is one of the few constants that ties the whole paper together. Thank you, Barb!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR ENGINE IN ONE PLACE!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN PIETTE
DC-3 SOCIETY TO CELEBRATE 90 YEARS OF THE DOUGLAS DC-3 AT AIRVENTURE 2025
THE DC-3 SOCIETY will mark the 90th anniversary of the legendary Douglas DC-3 this week with commemorative events at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. The celebration will spotlight the aircraft’s historic contributions to both military and civil aviation, especially its critical
Throughout the week, attendees can expect:
• Formation flights and flyovers featuring DC-3s and its military variant, the C-47
• Society member gatherings to honor the aircraft and the vibrant community keeping its legacy alive Aircraft participating include those that returned to Europe as part of the DC-3 Society’s major commemorative missions on the D-Day 75th and 80th anniversaries and the Berlin Airlift 70th and 75th anniversaries:
• C-47 owned by Vaerus Jet Sales
• C-47 Virginia Ann
Also joining is the A-26 Million Airess, a twin-engine light bomber with a decorated combat record from World War II through the Cold War. This aircraft also flew in the DC-3 Society’s 2024 Legacy Tour, supporting the D-Day 80th and Berlin Airlift 75th anniversaries.
• C-47 Placid Lassie
For more details and updates, visit DC3Society.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY DANIELS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR MADISON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURIE GOOSSENS
OSHKOSH MOMENTS
Tell Them You Wish They Were Here
AirVenture postcard activation returns for 2025
BY DISCOVER OSHKOSH
VISITORS TO EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 can once again share their love of aviation with friends and family around the world through the popular free postcard activation hosted by Discover Oshkosh and Oshkosh-area community partners.
In 2024, more than 2,500 visitors stopped by the Oshkosh booth to write postcards to loved ones. Postcards were sent to all 50 states and more than 30 countries worldwide, including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, China, India, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Kazakhstan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates.
The program returns in 2025 to spread smiles across the world. During AirVenture 2025, attendees can participate by visiting the Oshkosh Visitors Information Center, located next to the control tower, to write their postcards. Whether it’s a quick note to family back home or a cheerful greeting to aviation
friends worldwide, let them know that you were thinking of them.
Don’t miss your chance to send a free postcard — Discover Oshkosh and its partners provide the postcard, postage, and mailing to help you share your Oshkosh experience with those who matter most.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL PEREZ
Public Benefit Flying: PALS for Patriots
Uplifting veterans through flight
BY STEPHANIE JENDRZEJEWSKI, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, PALS SKYHOPE
THIS YEAR MARKS 15 years of PALS SkyHope — and one of the most meaningful initiatives to take flight in that time is PALS for Patriots. This program provides free air transportation to veterans and active military personnel who need access to life-saving medical care, morale-boosting events like Major League Baseball games where they are
honored as heroes, and healing retreats that support reintegration into civilian life.
Since its launch in 2011, PALS for Patriots has completed more than 2,600 flights, serving more than 600 individual veterans and service members. These missions help remove the burden of long, costly travel, allowing veterans to focus on
their recovery, their health, and their futures.
One of those veterans is De’shawn.
A proud post-9/11 veteran, De’shawn has flown with PALS SkyHope five times since 2018. Each of his flights takes him from Maryland to the Travis Mills Foundation in Maine, a retreat center built to empower recalibrated veterans and their families. There, veterans find a community of peers, physical and emotional support, and tools to help them thrive in life after service.
For De’shawn, these trips have been more than just travel — they’ve been a lifeline. They’ve given him the space to reconnect, reflect, and push forward with strength and dignity. Despite the challenges he faces, De’shawn continues to move forward — and we are honored to stand with him on that journey.
PALS SkyHope exists to make these moments possible. Whether it’s a child headed to cancer treatment, a rare disease patient traveling for surgery, or a military family finding healing at a retreat, we believe no one should miss a vital
appointment or opportunity for healing because of transportation barriers.
As we celebrate 15 years of PALS SkyHope, the work of PALS for Patriots stands as a powerful example of how aviation, compassion, and community can come together to change lives.
We salute De’shawn and every veteran who has trusted us to be part of their journey. Your courage is our cause — and our wings are always ready.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PALS SKYHOPE
AROUND THE GROUNDS
What About These Other Airplanes?
A spotter’s guide to the EAA Aviation Museum aircraft around the grounds
EVERY YEAR, MORE than 10,000 aircraft fly to Wisconsin for AirVenture. Of those, nearly 3,000 are showplanes — vintage aircraft, warbirds, homebuilts, aerobatic airplanes, etc. — that are displayed around the grounds. But some visitors may notice other airplanes parked here and there that didn’t fly in at all, because they’re part of the EAA Aviation Museum collection. Because our museum exhibits rotate, many of these aircraft are only viewable by the public during AirVenture, spending the rest of the year in long-term storage on the convention grounds. Here’s a guide to some of these airplanes that you’ll see as you wander the neighborhoods of AirVenture.
Aircraft: Williams V-Jet II
The V-Jet II is a one-of-a-kind very light jet designed for Williams International jet engines by Burt Rutan’s Scaled Composites. Built as a test bed and demonstrator for the company’s FJX-2 engine, it served as inspiration for the Eclipse 500 and was flown in support of that program before being donated to the museum.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURIE GOOSSENS
Into a New Age
A spotter’s guide to 1945-1950 aircraft at AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
BY SAM OLESON AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
EIGHTY YEARS AGO, the greatest conflict the world had ever known was, mercifully, coming to an end. The conclusion of World War II signaled the beginning of a new era of military aviation. Jet engine technology began to take shape in the latter half of the war, with Germany introducing the Messerschmitt Me 262, followed a few months later by the British Gloster Meteor.
Although jets didn’t play a large role in WWII, the years following were crucial for the development of the technology. But while the future was clearly in jets, many piston-powered airplanes of WWII were still useful and served critical roles well into the 1950s and 1960s, and in some cases even longer.
Here’s a look at some of the aircraft that were either designed or operated during that transitionary period in
aerospace development, 1945 into the Korean War, that have made an appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in recent years or may be here this week.
Grumman F7F Tigercat: The U.S. Navy’s first twin-engine fighter, the Grumman-built F7F was WARBIRDS
Fairey Firefly: Introduced in 1943, the Fairey Firefly served as a carrier-borne fighter for the Royal Navy and other Allied navies during WWII before transitioning to strike operations and antisubmarine warfare following the war. Despite being outclassed by its jet fighter brethren, the Firefly served until 1956, performing ground attack operations during the Korean War from various aircraft carriers.
WARBIRDS / PAGE 37
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE KUTZ
introduced in 1944 but never saw combat during WWII. During the Korean War, the Tigercat operated as a night fighter and attack aircraft and was retired shortly after the war, in 1954.
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star: Developed from the P-80, the T-33 advanced jet trainer served with the U.S. Air Force and Navy beginning in the late 1940s, through the 1950s, and into the early 1960s. More than 6,500 T-33s were built over a period of 11 years. The type was eventually phased out in favor of the T-37 and T-38 (Air Force) and T-2 and TA-4 (Navy). PAGE 36 / WARBIRDS
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor: The militarized version of the Beech 18, the C-45 served as a light transport for the USAAF during WWII and continued in that role for years after the war ended. The advanced trainer version of the Beech 18, the AT-11 Kansan, trained thousands of future bomber pilots and navigators during WWII.
Cessna L-19/O-1 Birddog: Introduced in 1950, the Cessna Birddog entered service as the L-19, operating as a liaison and observation aircraft for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. More than 3,000 Birddogs were built over the course of its 10-year production run, with the aircraft redesignated as the O-1 in 1962. The O-1 was used in a number of capacities in Vietnam and eventually replaced by the O-2 and OV-10. Many O-1s were operated by the CAP in the 1970s before being replaced by Cessna 172s and 182s.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA BASKEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT GRIFFITHS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL SAUER
We offer hot coffee, doughnuts, fresh fruit, salads, sandwiches and much more. Red One Market has everything you need to make your stay more enjoyable.
Scholler Shorts Little library
BY ANGELA SATTERLEE AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF
LOOKING FOR A quiet moment during all the AirVenture excitement? Visit one of the free little libraries in Camp Scholler courtesy of EAA Chapter 990 from Kankakee, Illinois.
Started by chapter treasurer Alex Koerner because of his book-loving mom, EAA’s little libraries offer free reading material for all ages. Whether you’re into thrillers, kids’ stories, or something light for the hammock, there’s something for everyone. The purpose of the free little libraries is to provide free
The purpose of the free little libraries is to provide free reading material to whoever wants it, adults and children alike.
reading material to whoever wants it, adults and children alike. Just take a book, leave a book, or simply enjoy one!
Last year, the libraries were a huge hit, with more than 100 books shared and many notes of appreciation. This year you’ll find them in two locations: one by the children’s playground and the other at the Chapters Pavilion.
The free little libraries will run the same as the ones you can find throughout many towns: based on the honor system. Both are restocked several times a day, so there’s always something new to discover. And with plans underway to build a larger library for next year, the chapter hopes to expand even more.
Stop by for a book — your next adventure might just be a page away!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN PIETTE
Meet Your Favorite Authors!
Monday, July 21 GET YOUR COLLECTIBLE AIRVENTURE® 2025 BEER
Available for purchase at select Red One Market locations.*
COME AND MEET the authors of your favorite aviation books! From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., renowned aviation writers and notable personalities from the world of flight will be available in the EAA Wearhouse, located between the EAA Member Center and the FAA Aviation Safety Center.
9:00 a.m. — Lauren Settles, Could I Be a Pilot?Evie’s Journey to Becoming a Pilot
10:00 a.m. — Jay A. Stout, Savage Skies, Emerald Hell: The U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Ferocious Air Battle for New Guinea in World War II
11:00 a.m. — Laura Beth Dean, Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot
12:00 p.m. — Anne Keene, The Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win World War II
1:00 p.m. — Wayne Mutza, Kaman H-2 Seasprite: US Navy Shipborne Helicopter
2:00 p.m. — Heidi A. Porch, Ditching the Sky: A Memoir of Triumph Against All Odds
3:00 p.m. — Judie Ohm, Turret Tales from a WWII Ball Turret Gunner Sta Sgt. Doug Ward
*While supplies last.
4:00 p.m. — Joe Peterburs, The Autobiography of Colonel Joe Peterburs with Memories of Over 36 Years of Active Military Service
5:00 p.m. — Buck Wyndham, Hogs in the Sand
GirlVenture Camp
The EAA® GirlVenture Camp is an aviation experience during EAA® AirVenture ® Oshkosh™ for young women in grades 9-12. JULY 19–22, 2026
40,000+ CAMPERS across 15,000 CAMPSITES
EVERY PILOT NEEDS A SOLID GROUND CREW.
9:00AM - 9:45AM
Life, Learning & Laughs –Lessons from SocialFlight Live, Cockpit2Cowl & The Schi Show
Brian Schi and Je Simon, SocialFlight, Creator and A&P Mechanic, IA
39 Lounge Meet and Greets
11:00AM-11:45AM @scalewings_aircraft
1:00PM-1:45PM
Mary Kuehn - AOPA Air Safety Institute
5:30PM-7:00PM
Welcome to Osh Members-Only
Happy Hour
10:00AM - 10:45AM
Paul Beard, uAvionix
11:00AM - 11:45AM
Universal Equipage: Making the Case for ADS-B In and Out for All Flyers
Density Altitude: Around Us No Matter Where You Fly
Tom Letts, Boeing Global Services
12:00PM - 12:45PM
Accident Case Study: Fair
Weather Flier (WINGS Credit)
Mary Kuehn, AOPA Air Safety Institute
1:00PM - 1:45PM
Flying With the iPad as a Digital Copilot
Bret Koebbe, Sporty’s Pilot Shop
2:00PM - 2:45PM
3:00PM - 3:45PM
The Times They Are a-Changin’ –A Regulatory Briefing
Murray Huling and Jim McClay, AOPA Government A airs
Are You Truly Prepared For Your FAA Medical Application?
4:00PM - 4:45PM
Lt. Col. Trevor Boswell, NORAD
Anita Fetzer, AOPA Medical; Ian Arendt, AOPA Legal; Dr. Dan Monlux, Wingman Med
TFRs: How to Avoid a Fighter Intercept
Today’s SCHEDULE
AVIATION GATEWAY PARK
Only 1,500 tickets available $100 per ticket
Proceeds support the youth education activities of EAA, including EAA’s Young Eagles Program, which has provided more than 2.5 million youths with a free first
since 1992.
The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend is provided with the support of Kocourek Ford, Wausau, Wisconsin.
8:30
8:30
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERON KRAUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERON KRAUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERON KRAUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MILLER
Today’s CROSSWORD
ACROSS
5. In 1980, the FAI World Aerobatic Championships were held in the US for the first time in this city.
6. The group to join if you like flying upside down.
9. Aerobatic pilots describe maneuvers using the ______ notation.
10. In aerobatics competition, the next level after Primary.
11. Four-, eight-, and 16-point rolls are _________ rolls.
12. The Lomcovák, a tumbling maneuver, is jokingly said to mean _______ in Czech.
13. Slow, aileron, barrel, and snap.
DOWN
1. One of the most basic aerobatic maneuvers.
2. Pulling ______ gs at the bottom of an inside loop.
3. Half-loop, half-roll maneuver named for a WWI German ace.
4. An aircraft ___________ can use an AeroCreeper to easily access their projects without bending or kneeling.
7. A mix of 3/4 loops and half rolls is called a ______ Eight.
10. Betty Skelton’s Pitts, Little _______.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN MILLER
How well do you know EAA history?
Try your hand at these trivia questions and find out. The answers, along with a new question, will be in tomorrow’s paper.
Q: Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, the Vought F4U Corsair is arguably the most famous U.S. Navy aircraft to serve during World War II. Vought was initially founded more than two decades prior to the Corsair’s first flight, in 1917, by Chance M. Vought and which other aviation pioneer?
A. Glenn Curtiss
B. Birdseye Lewis
C. Igor Sikorsky
D. Cordell Walker
SUNDAY, JULY 20, ANSWER
Your daily AirVenture playlist
Look for these songs on your favorite streaming service and build a personal soundtrack for your trip to the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.
747 (Strangers in the Night) by Saxon Airport by Antony Kos
Big Jet Plane by Angus and Julia Stone
Flying by Curbi
Great Balls of Fire Live (Top Gun: Maverick) by Miles Teller
The College Football Hall of Fame
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BERNIE KOSZEWA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE WITTY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BERNIE KOSZEWA
@ zacharyzweigle Oshkosh, here we come. Beautiful day to rock some wings and land on the dot! @eaa #osh25 #oshkosh #airventure #airventure2025 #osh #pilots #pilotslife #flying
@ freebird.jackie I’ll be at the @cubcrafters booth (# 274) all week!! Can’t wait to share my experience flying this NXCub!
@ rocknpilot42 Had to work around weather and make our way in on the approach, but good landing at #osh25 by Alex. The Commander is at the show!
@ anthonygesick
AirVenture Adventure Day 1! #oshduck and I are back once more with the Ercoupes for the week long spectacle that is AirVenture! Flight down from Wausau was good, once at Oshkosh watched some arrivals before a quick shower blew through. Tomorrow brings more pre-show action.
Lincoln Electric ❘ magniX ❘ McFarlane Aviation Products ❘ NATCA ❘ Oshkosh AeroTech ❘ PenFed ❘ Pepsi ❘ Piedmont Airlines
Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd ❘ Poly Fiber, Inc ❘ Rotax iService and Training Centres ❘ SiriusXM Aviation ❘ Southwest Airlines ❘ Superflite
Superior Air Parts, Inc. ❘ SureFly Electronic Ignition ❘ Tecnam ❘ Tempest Aero Group ❘ True Blue ❘ Power ❘ uAvionix ❘ United Airlines ❘ Van’s Aircraft
Williams International ❘ Wing Aviation ❘ Women in Aviation International (WAI) ❘ Zenith Aircraft
COPPER LEVEL SUPPORTERS
Avfuel ❘ B&C Specialty Products Inc. ❘ Bristell Aircraft ❘ CiES Inc ❘ DATC ❘ Flight Outfitters ❘ Flite Test ❘ Horizon Hobby ❘ Siemens Digital Industry Software SOFTIE PARACHUTES by Para-Phernalia, Inc. ❘ Starr Aviation ❘ UND Aerospace ❘ VOLARE HANGARS
PATRON LEVEL SUPPORTERS
4imprint ❘ AeroCreeper ❘ Alaska Airlines ❘ Arena Americas ❘ Bombardier ❘ Bravo Golf ❘ Chicago Executive Airport ❘ David Clark Company ❘ DJ Products, Inc
Endeavor Air ❘ EnerSys® ❘ Fly Girls Aviation ❘ General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) ❘ GES ❘ Global Aerospace ❘ Honda Power Equipment JSfirm.com ❘ MATCO ALS ❘ Metro Sales Inc. ❘ Mid-State Equipment ❘ Ninety-Nines, Inc (The) ❘ Old School Model Works ❘ Pilotsmith ❘ Scheme Designers, Inc Small Town EV ❘ Target Oshkosh ❘ Walkabout Hats ❘ WILCO ❘ Zipline
