Oshkosh: The Spirit of Aviation, narrated by actor and EAA member, Harrison Ford, shows why EAA AirVenture is the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration®.
Charles McGee became one of the famous Red Tails, the first all African-American fighter squadron. They trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, and would fly bomber escort missions.
Tom Griffin was the navigator on crew No. 9 during the Doolittle Raid. This raid was a major strike back at the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. He would go on to fly in bombers in North Africa, and became a POW of the Germans.
Chuck Doyle's love of all forms of aviation is evident just by looking at the types of aircraft he's flown and owned. He shares many of the countless adventures he embarked on during his aviation career.
From the VariEze and Long-EZ to SpaceShipOne, pioneering aerospace engineer Burt Rutan is known throughout the aviation community as someone always pushing the envelope. Learn more about the innovative career that’s made Burt a legend at Oshkosh.
Matt Younkin comes from a long line of aviators. Both his father, Bobby, and his grandfather, Jimmy, are known for their amazing skills in flying and restoring historic aircraft.
John Dyke is the designer of two of the most cutting-edge designs in aircraft homebuilding, the JD-1 and JD-2 Delta. These futuristic-looking aircraft are truly what homebuilding is all about.
When the war broke out in 1941, many brave women stepped forward to do their part. A new program called the WASP would place women in the cockpits of some of the most high-performance aircraft of the day.
Learn more about three beautiful taildraggers owned by women – a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, Cessna 180, and Piper J-3 Cub – in this Vintage in Review session.
Learn more about three gorgeous vintage aircraft: the rare Aeronca LB, the world’s only known airworthy Lincoln-Page LP-3, and a 1962 Beech Bonanza in this Vintage in Review session.
Learn more about the history of 1930s air racing, from the innovative airplane designs to the daring pilots willing to risk life and limb for the glory of victory.
In 1986, the Rutan Model 76 Voyager became the first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. Here’s an extended look at the design and build of the Voyager, which visited EAA Oshkosh prior to its 25,000-mile journey in 1984.
From legendary air show performers to thundering military jets, EAA fly-ins have been home to many can’t-miss attractions over the years. Here are some highlights from the first 50 years of EAA
In 1985, the legendary Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde supersonic airliner visited EAA Oshkosh for the first time, drawing throngs of onlookers. Here’s a look back at Concorde’s first trip to Oshkosh 35 years ago.
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter is one of the most secretive military aircraft in history, with much of its development in the 1970s and ‘80s shrouded in mystery. Learn more about the F-117, which visited EAA Oshkosh 1990.
Since EAA’s beginning in 1953, members had the foresight to record and archive more than 80 percent of the events that occurred at the annual fly-in. This is the comprehensive story of the first 50 years of EAA fly-ins.
Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi, which rose to prominence during the height of the Soviet Union, developed a few aerobatic aircraft along with its military fighters, bombers, and cargo ships.
At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, we celebrated our 50th consecutive convention at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh! Here are Oshkosh fly-in highlights from the past five decades.
As the first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling, the Rutan Voyager was one of the most significant airplanes to visit EAA Oshkosh in the 1980s. Watch the Theater in the Woods presentation celebrating the accomplishment.
15 former Apollo astronauts attended EAA Oshkosh 1994 as part of our Salute to Apollo that year, honoring the 25th anniversary of the moon landing. Watch the Theater in the Woods presentation from that year here.
Consisting of Tom Poberezny, Gene Soucy, and Charlie Hillard, the Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team was one of the premier air show acts of its day. Watch the Theater in the Woods presentation at EAA Oshkosh 1995 celebrating the trio here.
The air shows have been a staple at AirVenture for decades and draw thousands of spectators each day. Here are some highlights of the wide variety of performances that Oshkosh has seen over the past 50 years.
Four Medal of Honor recipients, Marine Corps Lt. Ken Walsh, Air Force Maj. Bernard Fisher, Army Maj. Patrick Brady, and Navy Capt. James Stockdale, were honored during a Theater in the Woods presentation at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 1998.
At Theater in the Woods, a number of influential performers and personalities through the decades talked about Oshkosh and the memories and stories they have.
As the aircraft that famously transported D-Day paratroopers on June 6, 1944, into Normandy, the Douglas C-47 was a crucial piece in the Allies’ air superiority during World War II. Hear from a number of C-47 pilots and a D-Day veteran.
Famously flying the P-51 Mustang during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-American pilots that formed the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group. Hear from a pair of Tuskegee Airmen in this Warbirds in Review session.
Learn about the history of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider and its close air support capabilities from a couple of pilots who’ve flown it in this Warbirds in Review session.
Learn more about the history of the carrier-based Fairey Firefly, and hear from the owner of the aircraft that attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 in this Warbirds in Review session.
Two of the most-produced military training aircraft after World War II are the T-28 and T-34. Learn more about the history of these aircraft, which are still widely used in air shows, and hear from current pilots and owners.
EAA founder Paul Poberezny discusses the purpose of the organization, how much it’s meant to him, and how the people involved along the way have made EAA what it is.
World War II triple ace Clarence “Bud” Anderson discusses his time flying P-51 Mustangs and his experience over the skies of Europe in this Warbirds in Review session.
Charles McGee is one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African American unit in the United States Army Air Forces. He would fly combat in the red-tailed P-51 as he helped clear the skies for the heavy bombers.
Hoot Gibson is one of the fastest people alive. This professional air race pilot served as a naval aviator and engineer before his career as a NASA astronaut, during which he flew five missions on the space shuttle.
Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson is a World War II triple ace. He flew 116 combat missions in the skies over Europe in his P-51, Old Crow, assigned to the famed 357th Fighter Group. While there, he shot down 16¼ aircraft.
The F6F Hellcat and F8F Bearcat were used by the U.S. Navy during World War II, with the Hellcat playing a vital role in the Pacific Theater and the Bearcat, while more advanced, entering service just after the war ended.
Lope’s Hope 3rd is an impressive restoration of a P-51C Mustang, honoring its World War II pilot Lt. Donald Lopez. Hear from its owner and pilot in this Warbirds in Review session.
Learn more about the legendary Royal Air Force de Havilland Mosquito bomber/fighter and the story behind the recent restoration of Lewis Air Legends’ immaculate Mosquito in this Warbirds in Review session.
As one of the more impressive warbird restorations in recent memory, Tom Reilly’s North American XP-82 Twin Mustang was one of the stars of the show at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019.
Paul Poberezny founded EAA in 1953 and was an integral part of the organization until his death in 2013. We’ve compiled footage of Paul through the decades, interacting with guests and flying a variety of aircraft!
Bill Brennand grew up on a farm located just off the end of what is now Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. He quickly became enamored with flying, and before long befriended air race pilot Steve Wittman.
The colorful Italian jet team, Frecci Tricolori, performed for the first time in North America in 1986 at EAA Oshkosh. Watch some amazing footage from that 1986 visit!
During the early days of the Young Eagles program, EAA produced this short family film about a young boy and his aviator mentor, starring Oscar-winner and EAA member Cliff Robertson.
The Warbirds area is always one of the most popular places to visit during AirVenture. This year we saw a large P-51 Mustang gathering, a Col. Bud Anderson tribute, the XP-82, a newly restored de Havilland Mosquito, a Fairey Firefly, and others.
The bombers got the spotlight in 2017, and air tankers got their turn last year, but EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 was without a doubt the Year of the Fighter.
Aviation legend Burt Rutan is one of the people who make Oshkosh … well, Oshkosh. Enjoy a few minutes with Burt at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, as well with those who admire his lifetime of work.
A 2nd plunge into EAA’s massive, 5-decades-plus archives. Disco to the 70s and enter the new wave 80s. (Identify the Father of ultralights, and our very own Red Devils. Plus, the Decade of the Concorde, when the "Devils" became "Eagles.")
Rare footage from EAA’s massive, five-decades-plus archives. Twist to the 50s and groove to the 60s. (In weeks to come, witness the ‘70s and 80s, the 90s, and beyond,,,then see them all as one video!)
Michael Collins joined fellow Apollo astronaut and space shuttle test pilot Joe Engle on stage with fellow astronaut and EAA board member Charlie Precourt during the Friday programming at Theater in the Woods.
Tony Yule served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force for 15 years before joining British Airways in 1984. During his time with the airline, he served as a copilot aboard the supersonic Concorde.
Paul Tibbets, Jr. (1915 - 2007) made history as the pilot of Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. This 2004 interview covers his first experiences with aviation and how he joined the military.
In the late 1950s, Jim Younkin developed the first miniaturized solid-state gyro system, which would evolve into the Century and TruTrak autopilot systems. EAAers know Jim for his Mr. Mulligan and Travel Air Mystery Ship 1930s racer replicas.
Hal Weekley (1921-2010) was a B-17 pilot with the 601st Bomb Squadron of the 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force during WWII, and the last of the WWII combat pilots to actively fly a B-17, retiring from flying EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast in 2001.
Gary Austin (1970-2009) began working on warbird restorations for Ezell Aviation in 1996, and in 2001 opened his own restoration/maintenance shop called Retro Aviation. In 2004 he became crew chief on the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 and B-24.
Col. Frank Borman was an Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, and then astronaut. He would fly on Gemini and Apollo missions and would serve as mission commander on the famous and historic Apollo 8 mission around the moon in 1968.
Elliot Seguin is a truly passionate aviator who enjoys all forms of flying. From air racers and warbirds to wild experimental aircraft that push the boundaries of flight, he is there to fly them all.
Clay Lacy started his career flying the DC-3 for United Airlines. He would go on to form the first executive jet charter business in the western United States. He has taken part in air racing as well as filming blockbuster movies.
Chuck Aaron is one of only a few who fly helicopter aerobatics. He has served as a rescue pilot for NASA and helped the military design guidance and weapon systems. But his true passion is making helicopters do things many believe are not possible.
Bob Hoover is an aviation legend. During his long aviation career he has been a fighter pilot, test pilot, and world-reknowned aerobatic performer. In this interview Bob talks about learning to fly and joining the service during World War II.
From EAA's archives: Learn about Charles Lindbergh's journey in the Spirit of St. Louis in a nonstop flight from New York, to Paris, France. We also explore EAA's Spirit of St. Louis replica and what it's like to fly this unique airplane.
From the EAA vault, Magnificent Desolation: Our Journeys to the Moon profiles the astronauts of Apollo and describes each mission, along with rare NASA footage.
Over the years, people have experimented with all kinds of different designs and ideas as they tried to build the next great aircraft. This film, originally assembled by the U.S. Army Air Corps, presents a look at several of those early attempts.
Scott Blue, EAA 1326730, who flew for Buffalo Airways in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, for a number of years and was featured on the television show Ice Pilots NWT during his time at Buffalo spoke recently at EAA.
Steven Hinton, a seven-time national air racing champion and pilot of the world’s fastest propeller-driven, piston-powered aircraft, recently talked about his career at the EAA Aviation Museum as part of the Aviation Adventure Speaker Series.
Two Lockheed AC-130 gunship crew members from the U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing presented about their experiences in one of the Air Force’s primary close air support aircraft.
Alaska bush pilot Don Lee teaches Jeff Skiles and Clay Presley how to access Alaska's wilderness by taking them to gravel bars, remote lakes, and mountain passes and instructing them how to assess, land, and take off from natural "runways."
Ray Stits (1921-2015) is a legend in the homebuilt aircraft community. Designer of 15 airplanes, Ray was also the developer/founder of the Poly-Fiber aircraft coating process. In 1953, he joined EAA (#136 Lifetime) and founded EAA Chapter 1.
The unique, high-altitude Proteus flew into, out of, and at Oshkosh during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017. John Barton, Proteus’ crew chief, took some time to talk about talk about the airplane’s history and its future.
Back in 1985, a British Airways Concorde made the type’s first visit to Oshkosh, establishing our annual convention and fly-in as a truly world-class international event.
This EAA Timeless Voices of Aviation interview with General Olds was recorded at AirVenture 2002. General Olds died on June 14, 2007, one month short of his 85th birthday. His presence at AirVenture 2007 will be greatly missed.
In this fourth of a multi-part series, EAA Founder Paul Poberezny reflects on the founding of the organization in 1953, its growth and expansion and the resulting HQ location changes, and some of the issues that EAA has faced over the years.
Dick Cole was copilot for Col. Jimmy Doolittle when Doolittle led a force of 16 B-25 bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to bomb targets in Japan on April 18, 1942 - the first attack on Japanese soil during World War II.
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