Attendees will get ‘up close and personal’ for the first time in North America
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. – (April 15, 2009) – With the announcement today that the Airbus A380 is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, EAA reinforced the reputation of its annual fly-in as a one-of-a-kind showcase of aviation’s innovations, unique accomplishments, and wide-ranging interests. For the first time in North America, AirVenture will provide the opportunity for the global aviation community and the public to admire the world’s largest passenger airliner on static display and in flight.
The A380 will arrive and perform a flight demonstration to kick off the Tuesday, July 28 air show. After commanding the stage through the remainder of the week on AeroShell Square, AirVenture’s main aircraft showcase area, it will open the air show again on Friday, July 31 with a flight demonstration before its departure.
“I’m pleased that Airbus chose EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as its first occasion in North America to provide an up-close and personal look at the A380,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. “The aircraft will stand out among the impressive lineup of features and attractions coming this year. The A380 represents an amazing feat of aircraft design, engineering, and construction … and it will hold the distinction of being the largest passenger aircraft ever to have filled our sky and rolled onto our ramp,” he said.
“The Airbus team is very grateful to EAA for hosting the A380 this summer,” said Airbus Americas Chairman T. Allan McArtor. “We have been looking forward to bringing the aircraft to AirVenture, where the innovative accomplishments of global aviation take the spotlight. It makes perfect sense for the A380 to be featured at Oshkosh – not only because it is the largest passenger aircraft in history, but also because the remarkable A380 would not have been possible without the considerable support of our airline- and supplier-partners from around the world who worked with us over many years to make the aircraft a reality.”
The A380’s visit marks the second time this decade that Airbus has brought a crowd-pleasing aircraft to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. In 2003, the Airbus A300-600ST (known as the “Beluga”) made an appearance in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
“AirVenture Oshkosh celebrates aviation’s pioneering spirit and the various demonstrations of that spirit, large and small. With the A380 coming, I’d say we have the ‘large’ base covered this year,” Poberezny said.
EAA and Airbus are making plans for Airbus officials to tell their story at AirVenture. Announcements of details will follow. Additionally, Airbus hosts will be on hand with the A380 as it stands on AeroShell Square.
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. This year’s event takes place July 27 – August 2. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. Additional EAA AirVenture Oshkosh information – including the convenience and savings of advance online admission purchase – is also available at www.airventure.org. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.
* Major features of this year’s event will include: the world’s largest airliner, the A380; Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo mothership “Eve”; the cockpit crew of US Airways flight 1549; observation of several historic aviation anniversaries; celebration of aviation’s role in humanitarian activities; spectacular Warbirds demonstrations; the world’s best aerobatic performers; a concert by the Doobie Brothers; the comedy of Jeff Dunham; 10,000 aircraft; 2,500 show planes; 800 exhibits; and 500 forums and workshops.