A Dream Come True
By Erin Henze
July 25, 2021 – Farmer Erik Edgren is flying into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in his modified 1939 Taylorcraft called T-Clips. It was “clipped” for aerobatics in 1997 by Steve Givens using a mix of both the Swick and legendary Duane Cole plans. Erik has further modified T-Clips with inverted fuel and oil and air show smoke systems, making it an optimal and unique up close and personal, crowd-pleasing air show machine.
Erik lives and works on the family farm in Iowa he grew up on, taking over for his father in 1997. However, his aviation career began far before that. Starting at 6 years old, Erik would sit on his father’s lap and help fly the airplane. At 8 years, he was practically ready to solo, using a tailor-made seat and control extensions. However, his life was changed when he went to EAA Oshkosh 1977 at 8 years old, where he saw numerous aerobatic performances.
“I saw Duane Cole flying his clip-winged Taylorcraft,” Erik said. “It was at that point that … the dream was solidified that I was going to be an air show pilot someday, and that someday I was going to fly the air show [at AirVenture].”
After a lifetime of flying, Erik is excited to achieve his lifelong dream of performing at EAA AirVenture 2021.
“It doesn’t even seem real, after wanting it for all these years, that it’s finally in my grasp,” Erik explained. “It’s the strangest combination of over-the-top excitement and surrealism.”
Check Erik’s performance out this week or stop by his website at ErikEdgrenAirshows.com to learn more.
