Wings, Wheels and Water

Southwest Airlines – ‘Independence One’ – EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southwest Airlines bringing ‘Independence One’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Celebrating service, women in aviation, and freedom to fly during July 22-23 appearance

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 24, 2026) — Southwest Airlines® announced it will participate in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with its high-flying tribute to America’s semiquincentennial celebration, Independence One. This newly launched, freedom-flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 will visit the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® on Wednesday, July 22, showcasing Southwest®’s support of those who’ve given us the freedom to fly.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the 73rd Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The thousands of aviation enthusiasts who annually visit EAA AirVenture will get to see Independence One up close and personal as it carries Southwest Airlines Employees who have served in the military and those with loved ones who have served, culminating in an impressive total of over 1,300 years of military service onboard.

“Independence One is a stunning, colorful tribute to our freedom as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “It will undoubtedly be a big attraction and photo op during AirVenture, as EAA again brings together airplanes and people in a single location that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.”

Southwest is returning as a sponsor of WomenVenture, a conference aimed at inspiring and empowering women in aviation. Emily Estapa, Managing Director of Network Operations Control ATC Training and Standards at Southwest Airlines and a U.S. Air Force veteran, will be speaking at the WomenVenture forum on July 22.

“When women come together, we’re able to support one another and share our journeys,” Estapa said. “That collective sense of belonging and visibility doesn’t just advance individual careers—it elevates the entire aviation industry.”

Keep an eye out for Independence One parked on Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 22.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

About Southwest Airlines Co.    

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 122 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline(fn. 1). By empowering its more than 73,000(fn. 2) People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

  1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025
  1. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2026

What is Liability Insurance?

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Confused about what liability insurance is?

Aviation liability insurance is pretty confusing. Actually not just aviation insurance, all insurance can be confusing.  So i thought id share a little bit of information.

Typically, liability coverage, in an aviation insurance policy, will be for property damage and bodily injury.  The following definitions were taken from various policies and simplified as best as possible.

“Property damage” means any physical damage to “tangible” property.  This coverage does not cover the aircraft itself, any of your own property or property that you are in charge of.  This is just for the property belonging to others that was damaged by the accident.

Liability also covers “bodily injury”, which is pretty simple.  This means the physical (bodily) injury to or the death of a person.

There is another coverage included or added.  This coverage is called medical payment (med pay).  This is the amount that the insurance company will pay for a persons immediate medical expense such as an ambulance ride after the accident, emergency room visit, etc. This coverage is usually in amounts such as $1,000, $5,000 or maybe $10,000.

Here is a quick video rundown of liability in aircraft insurance.  Hopefully it will help clear a few things up. If not or you have more questions feel free to contact me.

youtu.be/ubnnZsz1f-U

Missions of Honor’s Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Missions of Honor’s Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 activities

Vietnam vets will return home from D.C. day trip at conclusion of July 24 air show

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 21, 2026) — One of the most emotional and poignant moments each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh returns in 2026 as 100 Vietnam War vets take a Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on July 24 as part of AirVenture’s annual salute to veterans. The 73rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to the nation’s capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve.

“The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is one of the most memorable events of AirVenture week and our Salute to Veterans activities each year,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “This event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and provides them an experience of a lifetime, while giving AirVenture attendees an opportunity to say, ‘Thanks and welcome home.’”

This is the 12th year that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight has originated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh under the auspices of Missions of Honor (formerly Old Glory Honor Flight) of Appleton, Wisconsin. That non-profit organization has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009 with a dedicated group of volunteers. Those flights have included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam.

“Each Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture always creates unforgettable moments,” said Diane MacDonald, Missions of Honor executive director. “Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world’s aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it.”

American Airlines is again supplying an aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

Missions of Honor is inviting area veterans who are currently on their waitlist. In addition, other Vietnam veterans who are already attending AirVenture 2026 are invited to apply prior to June 6 for a drawing for one of approximately 15 seats available on the flight.

More information is available online regarding Missions of Honor or to make donations to the organization.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.