Wings, Wheels and Water

DRONE LIGHT SHOW TO ILLUMINATE NIGHT SKY AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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DRONE LIGHT SHOW TO ILLUMINATE NIGHT SKY AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

Up to 100 drones in simultaneous flight in night air shows on July 25 and 28

DRONE LIGHT SHOW – EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 5, 2018) — For the first time in North America, a drone light show will be part of an air show when EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 presents up to 100 lighted drones in flight during night air shows on July 25 and 28, creating another “Only at Oshkosh” experience.

The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The night air shows have become a favorite of the weeklong event, featuring a new perspective on the precise flying skills displayed by aerobatic pilots.

The EAA AirVenture demonstrations will mark the first time a lighted drone display is a scheduled part of a North American air show performance. Great Lakes Drone Company, based in Watervliet, Michigan, will be flying their drones and is one of just two U.S. companies authorized by the FAA for such displays.

“EAA and Great Lakes Drone Company worked closely with the FAA to make this pioneering and innovative event possible,” said Dave Chaimson, EAA’s vice president of marketing and business development. “What makes this event especially memorable are the intricate maneuvers that are capable by up to 100 synchronized drones, highlighting the possibilities of safe and responsible drone flying. People come to AirVenture to see aerial excitement not seen anywhere else, and these performances certainly continue that tradition.”

Great Lakes Drone Company has done numerous drones shows as stand-alone highlights at events, but this is the first as part of an air show performance. During AirVenture, the LED-equipped drones will perform a 10-minute “The History of Flight” show complete with musical accompaniment.

“When one thinks of THE place where flying innovation and excitement occur, Oshkosh instantly comes to mind,” said Matt Quinn, president of Great Lakes Drone Company. “That’s why we are so excited about this opportunity to be part of the famed night air shows and perform in front of the tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts on the flightline – a real ‘first’ for the air show community.”

The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh night air shows begin at 8 p.m. on July 25 and July 28, and are included with AirVenture admission. Announced schedules are subject to change based on weather or operational conditions.

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.

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LATEST ATC SPINOFF PROPOSAL MEETS CONTINUED AND HEAVY OPPOSITION

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LATEST ATC SPINOFF PROPOSAL MEETS CONTINUED AND HEAVY OPPOSITION

EAA joins other leading GA organizations in criticizing proposal

EAA AVIATION CENTER, Oshkosh, Wisconsin – (June 21, 2018) – Today, six associations representing the general aviation industry issued a statement strongly opposing the Trump Administration for including in its government reorganization proposal a failed idea to privatize the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic control services.

“There is a large and diverse chorus of opposition to the idea of privatizing our air traffic control system, including congressional leaders from both political parties, more than 100 aviation organizations, over 100 business leaders, 100 U.S. mayors, consumer and agricultural groups, conservative think tanks, and the majority of Americans. Additionally, this concept has been fully considered in the U.S. Congress and rejected despite years of repeated attempts,” said the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

“Instead of focusing precious time and resources on what amounts to nothing more than a distraction to the aviation community, the Administration needs to support a long-term FAA bill, like those passed by the House of Representatives and now pending in the Senate. These bills will take practical and significant steps to address many critical issues like aviation safety, modernization, which includes accelerated advancement of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), and needed aircraft certification and regulatory reform. Additionally, the Department of Transportation needs to continue with its commitment to the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC), which fosters collaboration in an open and transparent manner and helps advance air traffic control modernization priorities and investments.

“We are disappointed that the Administration continues to reintroduce a failed proposal. Instead, it should put its weight behind FAA legislation pending in Congress that will advance the aviation industry, including general aviation, which contributes $219 billion to the U.S. economy and creates over one million jobs in the U.S.”

More than 300 general aviation pilot organizations, state and local aviation officials, airports, manufacturers, labor unions, businesses, management associations and consumer groups stand united against air traffic control privatization.

About EAA

EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 210,000 members and 900 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.