Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience Returns Home

July 23, 2017 - EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience spent the first part of the year touring the country, but it has come home to the Four Corners for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.

“Most of the people who come to AirVenture are our members, and what we want them to see is their membership at work,” said EAA Tradeshow Marketing Manager Tricia Rathermel.

The Spirit of Aviation trailer debuted in 2016 to promote EAA’s passion for flight and mission to grow participation in aviation by visiting nonaviation events, such as Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Illinois State Fair, where the Mobile Experience will be August 10-20.

Activities at the trailer include hands-on experience with real aircraft building materials including creating a foam glider and sheet metal cookie cutter. Visitors will also be able to check out a “Welcome to EAA” 360-degree virtual reality simulator, test their skills with Redbird flight simulators, and try the new NATCA air traffic control simulator that was added just before AirVenture, which will travel with the trailer for the rest of the year.

“A lot of people when they see it think it’s just a kids’ thing, but adults really enjoy it as well as kids,” Tricia said. “It’s second only to Young Eagles in exposing new people to EAA and general aviation.”

The 53-foot trailer is on the road for most of the year, but Tricia said that having the Spirit of Aviation trailer at AirVenture is also a good opportunity to connect with potential volunteers.

“If it’s coming to an area near you, we always need your help,” she said. “We’ll call upon chapters to come and talk about their programs because we don’t necessarily know what’s going on in their area. Having volunteers there is really key.”

The Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience will be on display outside of the Discover Aviation Center on Celebration Way through Sunday, July 30.