At EAA, our future is guided by our past—an inheritance of values
and beliefs that underlines the spirit of aviation. Experiencing eras gone
by is of vital importance to future generations.

FOUNDERS’ WING

The Founders’ Wing was the newest gallery developed in the museum in 2008. Construction started late in fall 2008 and was completed in spring of 2009. The Founders’ Wing was conceived by long-time members Lew Shaw and John Dunham, and the capital campaign was spearheaded by EAA board member Fred Telling. Donations and pledges totaled nearly $1.2 million, including 120 bricks purchased for the Founders’ Wing Wall. This commemorative area is the home of the Paul and Audrey Poberezny collection. It will provide a better understanding and respect for EAA’s early years, and give future generations the opportunity to learn about and embrace the EAA culture. Innovation, culture, dreams, and high standards are among the core values that have made EAA, and the Founders’ Wing is meant to preserve those values. The gallery will be formally dedicated during AirVenture 2009.

EAA AIRVENTURE MUSEUM This year marks 25 years and more than 2. 5 million visitors since the EAA Aviation Center and AirVenture Museum became a reality in Oshkosh. It also marks 25 years of preserving and sharing the legacy of EAA, aviation, and aviation legends. EAA hosted an anniversary celebration and open house on October 4 and 5 and produced a commemorative guidebook to honor this milestone. The museum provided more than 140,000 people with a historical perspective to the ongoing spirit of innovation that drives aviation and EAAers. The museum also offered educational experiences to 10,220 school and scout groups in 2008, and Pioneer Airport volunteer pilots flew more than 1,000 Young Eagles. These programs helped pass on the knowledge and history of aviation to our future generations.

EAA AirVenture Museum hosted
many family events throughout the year
providing a fun environment for families,
to learn about aviation together.

2008 FAMILY-FOCUSED MUSEUM EVENTS: Family Flight Fest – 1,069 Wings on Strings Kite Festival – 1,500 Good Ol’ Days, Pioneer Airport – 567 Haunted Hangar – 1,016 Christmas in the Air – 3,000 Kids Days –1,075

EAA’S HISTORIC AIRCRAFT TOURS EAA’s W WII B- 17 Flying Fortress, Aluminum Overcast, visited 26 different states this year, making nearly 60 stops at local airports, aviation museums, EAA chapters, and other aviation institutions, giving once-in-a-lifetime experiences to 4,171 people. EAA’s 1929 Ford Tri-Motor provided 4,958 people with the experience of what it was like to ride in the world’s first true airliner. Hundreds also experienced the golden years of aviation through flights in EAA’s WACO, Travelair, and other historic aircraft at Pioneer Airport. These outreach efforts promote aviation history and encourage participation.

Film crews spent a week in Oshkosh in April 2008 shooting footage for the July 2009 film, Public Enemies. EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor was flown by director of flight operations, Sean Elliot & George Daubner (pictured above). Museum curator Ron Twellman also appeared in the movie.