OSHKOSH ATTENDEES CAN ‘GIVE FLIGHT’ THIS SUMMER
Wing-building project builds on hugely successful ‘One Week Wonder’ effort
EAA AVIATION CENTER, Oshkosh, Wisconsin – (May 4, 2015) – At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, more than 2,500 volunteers helped build the One Week Wonder Zenith CH 750 Cruzer airplane in just seven days, shining a bright spotlight squarely on homebuilding at show center. This summer at EAA AirVenture 2015, EAA will embark on another project that further highlights aircraft homebuilding while also raising awareness of the worldwide EAA chapter network.
Project “Give Flight” will focus on constructing five sets of wings for various types of kit-built aircraft. The goal is to give those completed wing sets to five different EAA chapters to jump-start five different building projects that EAA hopes will lead to the formation of five different flying clubs.
The volunteer-based project will occur at the main crossroads of the EAA AirVenture grounds on Celebration Way, the same location that hosted the One Week Wonder. Volunteers will construct the wings on each of the seven days of the convention and, like last year, anyone who walks by can participate by pulling a rivet.
The chapters that receive the completed wings for free will then be responsible for raising the funds necessary to complete the aircraft. Although EAA chapters are not allowed to operate an aircraft, they are allowed to build and restore them. Then, if a group of EAA members wants to form an independent flying club, they have an aircraft as a club focus.
“By kicking this off at Oshkosh we will get to highlight two of EAA’s core activities - homebuilding and chapters - to tens of thousands of people,” said Charlie Becker, EAA homebuilt community manager. “Plus, we will get to promote the concept that flying clubs are a way to reduce the cost of learning to fly as well as the barriers to participation in aviation.”
Becker envisions seeing all five completed aircraft displayed by the Brown Arch in Oshkosh someday, inspiring countless other chapters to take on a homebuilt project. The effort carries on the legacy of EAA Founder Paul Poberezny, who tirelessly promoted affordable access to the “vast ocean of air” above us as one of EAA’s goals.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.
About EAA
EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 185,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.