Experimental Aircraft Association facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | EAA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1953 in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Founder | Paul Poberezny |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Purpose | To grow aviation through participation and education, to deliver educational offerings and activities that guide new participants, and to reduce barriers to participation. |
| Headquarters | Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Membership (2024)
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300,000+ |
|
Key people
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Jack Pelton (CEO and chairman) Tom Poberezny (chairman emeritus until his death in 2022) Sean Tucker & Jimmy Graham (Young Eagles co-chairmen) |
| Subsidiaries | EAA IMC LLC, EAA STC LLC, EAA Aviation Foundation Inc (501(c)(3) |
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Revenue (2018)
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$39,868,940 |
| Expenses (2018) | $37,997,229 |
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Employees (2017)
|
872 |
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Volunteers (2017)
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5,500 |
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a big group for people who love airplanes. It's based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in the United States. The EAA helps people learn about flying and even build their own planes. It has grown a lot since it started. Today, there are over 300,000 members and nearly 1,000 local groups all around the world. The EAA also hosts the world's largest aviation event, called EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Contents
History of the EAA
The EAA was started in 1953 by a pilot named Paul Poberezny and other aviation fans. It began as a small group, almost like a flying club. The name "Experimental Aircraft Association" came from the special sign, "EXPERIMENTAL," that planes built or changed by people had to show.
The EAA's first office was in Paul Poberezny's home basement. Later, in the early 1960s, they built their first main office in Franklin, Wisconsin. In 1983, the EAA moved its main office and its big airshow to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This new location, called the EAA Aviation Center, also has the EAA Aviation Museum. The museum displays more than 130 airplanes at any time.
In 1953, the EAA started a small newsletter called The Experimenter. Paul and Audrey Poberezny and other volunteers wrote it. This newsletter later became a magazine called Sport Aviation. It is now sent to all members.
In 2015, the EAA and its Young Eagles program were honored. They were added to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
EAA Aviation Museum
The EAA Aviation Museum opened in 1983. It is right next to the EAA's main office in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The museum has a huge collection of airplanes and aviation displays. It holds over 200 aircraft, with more than 90 on display inside.
The museum also has a special area called Pioneer Airport. This area looks like an old-fashioned airport. It has over 40 more airplanes on display. During warmer months, from May to mid-October, you can even take flights in some of the old airplanes.
EAA Programs and Activities
Technical Counselor Program
The EAA has a group of helpful volunteers called Technical Counselors. They visit people who are building their own airplanes. Their job is to check the building process and make sure the planes are safe and well-made. These counselors are experienced EAA members. They offer advice for free. The EAA suggests having at least three visits from a Technical Counselor while building a plane.
Flight Advisor Program
The Flight Advisor Program helps pilots fly new or unfamiliar airplanes safely. Volunteers, called Flight Advisors, are experts in flying. They help pilots understand how a specific airplane flies. The advisor helps the pilot decide if they are ready to fly that plane. If not, they suggest how the pilot can get more training. The pilot always makes the final decision about flying the plane.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow
Every summer, the EAA hosts the biggest annual aviation event in the world. It's called EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, or often just "Oshkosh Airshow." During this week-long event, the local airport, Wittman Regional Airport, becomes the busiest airport in the world!
About 10,000 to 12,000 planes fly in for the event. More than 500,000 people attend each year. The airshow also has over 800 exhibitors and nearly 1,000 workshops and talks. Many journalists also come to cover the event.
The first EAA fly-in was in 1953 in Milwaukee. As it grew, it moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1959. By 1970, it had grown so much that it needed an even bigger space. That's when it moved to Oshkosh, where it is held today. This huge event brings in a lot of money for the local area. In 2017, it was estimated to bring in over $170 million.
Young Eagles Program
The EAA also runs the Young Eagles program. It started in 1992. The goal was to give one million children a free airplane ride by December 17, 2003. This date was special because it was 100 years after the Wright brothers made their first flight. The program reached its goal and has kept going! As of July 2016, more than 2 million young people have flown through the program. It helps introduce kids to the world of aviation.
Many famous people have been chairmen of the Young Eagles program:
- Cliff Robertson - an actor (1992–1994)
- Chuck Yeager - a famous Air Force General who was the first to fly faster than the speed of sound (1994–2004)
- Harrison Ford - an actor (2004–2009)
- Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey B. Skiles - pilots famous for landing a plane safely on the Hudson River (2009–2013)
- Sean D. Tucker - an aerobatic pilot (2013–present)
- Jimmy Graham - a professional football player (2018–present)
Sun 'N Fun Airshow
Another big airshow that EAA members attend is Sun 'n Fun. It happens every April in Lakeland, Florida. Sun 'n Fun is its own organization, but the EAA has always been a big part of the event. EAA local groups and staff still participate in Sun 'n Fun.
EAA Leadership
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The EAA is led by a chairman, a president, and a CEO. They also have a board of directors. Paul Poberezny, the founder, was the first president and CEO. Later, his son, Tom Poberezny, took over these roles.
Today, Jack J. Pelton is the Chairman and CEO of the EAA.
Local EAA groups, called chapters, can be formed when ten or more EAA members live in an area. These chapters often meet once a month.
EAA Freedom of Flight Award
The EAA gives out a special award called the Freedom of Flight Award. This is the highest honor the organization gives. It celebrates people who have made great contributions to aviation. These people often show the same spirit of honesty, creativity, and new ideas as EAA members.
Award Winners
- 2024 – Pete Bunce
- 2023 – Jim Irwin and Aircraft Spruce
- 2022 – James Inhofe
- 2021 – Jerry Gregoire
- 2020 – (no recipient, AirVenture canceled)
- 2019 – the Brown family and Hartzell Propeller
- 2018 – Andrew Barker and Robert Hamilton
- 2017 – Sebastien Heintz
- 2016 – Mark Van Tine
- 2015 – Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles
- 2014 – Audrey Poberezny
- 2013 – John Monnett
- 2012 – Charles McGee
- 2011 – Bob Hoover
- 2010 – Sean D. Tucker
- 2009 – Harrison Ford
- 2008 – Jack J. Pelton
- 2007 – Dale and Alan Klapmeier
- 2006 – Scott Crossfield
- 2005 – Mike Melvill
- 2004 – Dick VanGrunsven
- 2003 – Jeanie MacPherson
- 2002 – Steven J. Brown
- 2001 – Dick Rutan
- 2000 – Dick Hansen
- 1999 – Dan Goldin
- 1998 – Ed Stimpson
- 1997 – Sam Johnson
- 1996 – Burt Rutan
- 1995 – (no recipient)
- 1994 – Barron Hilton
- 1993 – John Denver
- 1992 – James C. Ray
- 1991 – Ray Scholler
- 1990 – Paul Poberezny
- 1989 – Robert "Hoot" Gibson
- 1988 – Neil Armstrong
- 1987 – Cliff Robertson
- 1986 – Steve Wittman
Aircraft Connected to EAA
- EAA Biplane
- EAA Spirit of St. Louis replica
- EAA Wright Flyer Model B replica
See also
- Aircraft Kit Industry Association
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Tannkosh
