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$2.85 million raised July 23 for aviation education and more during The Gathering

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$2.85 million raised July 23 for aviation education and more during The Gathering

hosted by EAA Aviation Foundation 

Record amount totaled at annual event during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (August 6, 2026) — Aviation education and preservation programs will benefit from the record $2.85 million raised on July 23 during The Gathering philanthropic event held as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week. Approximately 1,000 people packed the EAA Aviation Museum for an evening of unified support for Experimental Aircraft Association programming.

“What occurs at The Gathering each year brings together individuals and companies that have benefited from or enjoyed the world of flight in a way to give back, whether that is to youth aviation education or to initiatives that preserve our impressive aviation heritage,” said Margaret Brill, Vice President of the EAA Aviation Foundation. “This tremendous outpouring of support under this year’s theme of ‘Aerial America’ in honor of America 250 will allow programs to continue that inspire, motivate, and encourage participation in aviation.”

Among the special guests during the evening were the Royal Air Force Red Arrows demonstration team, which made its inaugural appearance at AirVenture in 2026; EAA Young Eagles program chairman Jimmy Graham, pilot a former NFL All-Pro tight end, and 10-year-old Hazel Schaefer, who earlier that week flew with Graham to commemorate 2.5 million Young Eagles flown in the program’s history; plus notable leaders from the aviation community.

Among some of the highlights of the gala were:

  • The Red Arrows auctioning a signed team photo for $25,000, with a second one donated for an equal amount;
  • A Goodyear Blimp experience;
  • Bidding on a restored Piper PA-12 aircraft;
  • Three gifts of $100,000 each, along with matching donation by one benefactor of all individual gifts of up to $2,500;
  • An NFL experience in Paris, France, on October 25 auctioned, featuring the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.

EAA programs that will benefit from The Gathering proceeds include Young Eagles, which introduces flight to young people free of charge; EAA’s online AeroEducate aviation education portal; and the Pilot Proficiency Center that enables current and prospective pilots to build skills year-round at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh.

About the EAA Aviation Foundation

The EAA Aviation Foundation is the philanthropic arm of EAA. It works with donors who desire to inspire, motivate, and educate current and future aviators, leaders, and industry pioneers. For more than two decades, the EAA Aviation Foundation has allocated funds from The Gathering to support vital education, safety, advocacy, and other outreach programs.

Fly-In Theater brings classic aviation films to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Fly-In Theater brings classic aviation films to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Screenings open to all AirVenture attendees, presented by PenFed

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 25, 2026) — Aviation and film fans alike will enjoy the lineup of movies that are being screened at the Fly-In Theater during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 at the Fly-In Theater. This year the Fly-In Theater is featuring six aviation centered movies from July 18-24 spanning from classic to contemporary films that the whole family can enjoy.

The 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

For nearly 20 years, the Fly-In theater has been a mainstay for those attending AirVenture. The theater is located right next to the Camp Scholler campground and provides the perfect opportunity to wind down after a long day of airshows, exhibits, and workshops. Every movie will be shown with state-of-the-art projection on a screen that stands about five stories tall, and popcorn is free for all attendees.

The Fly-In Theater screenings are free for those who attend AirVenture. No movies will be shown on July 22 or 25 due to the night air shows. The films are preceded by entertaining and informative introductions featuring special guests who bring their own insights and expertise. The regular showtime is at 8:30 p.m., except for July 20 and 24, which start at 8:15.

This year’s features include:

  • Saturday, July 18 – Top Gun – Celebrate the 40th anniversary of this aviation classic on the big screen, featuring Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in this epic tale about grit, competition, friendship, and most importantly, 1980’s naval aviation! The one and only Lt. Cmdr. Lloyd “Bozo” Abel, the pilot who gave Tom Cruise his F-14 orientation, will join us as a special guest.
  • Sunday, July 19 – Flying Misfits – In this feature length pilot episode for the classic television series Black Sheep Squadron, a former U.S Marine pilot Greg “Pappy” Boyington forms his own fighter squadron from a group of misfits and delinquents to help the effort in WWII, long after his time flying with the Flying Tigers in China. Stephen Chapis, author of a new book about the series, will be joining as a special guest.
  • Monday, July 20 – “A Tribute to Jimmy Stewart” – The evening will begin with some very special guests offering an exclusive look behind the scenes at the upcoming film Jimmy, a biopic celebrating the life and accomplishments of Jimmy Stewart, a beloved actor and decorated military aviator. This will be followed by a screening of the 1955 classic Strategic Air Command, where Stewart plays an ex-pilot turned baseball player forced to return to the Air Force and aid his country in Cold War deterrence.
  • Tuesday, July 21 –The Rescue – This documentary film chronicles B-25 owner and pilot Larry Kelly’s trip to China to explore the sites where the brave pilots of 1942’s Doolittle Raid were forced to crash land and take shelter after their one-way mission to strike Japan in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  • Thursday, July 23 – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – Ethan Hunt returns to combat his toughest enemy yet, a terrifying AI known simply as “the Entity” has taken over intelligence networks across the globe, and only Hunt and his new allies with the IMF are able to try and stop it before it changes the world as we know it forever. Air show pilot Susan Dacy will join us to talk about high performance Stearman flying
  • Friday, July 24 – Memphis Belle – Inspired by the true story of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 crew, will soon be embarking on their 25th and final mission, having completed the previous 24 against the odds. Their last one is the toughest they’ve been given yet, flying deep into German territory. Special guests include producer Catherine Wyler, along with key cast and crew members.

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.

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse!

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Aviation insurance lapse?

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse or expire just because you are not flying or the cost of your insurance. With the corona virus issues in the country, many pilots have parked their aircraft.  Which is fine in some cases, but it might not be the best for everyone.

There have been changes happening daily in aviation insurance underwriting for the last year or so.  One of which is the aviation insurance premiums are increasing.  We have see 10% to even 100% premium increases (depending on the plane and pilot).

But it’s not just the premiums increasing, the underwriting requirements are also changing.  Depending on your aircraft and your age, if you let your coverage lapse, you might not get quoted again. Aviation insurance is not an automatic renewal, you need to start over each year.

If you have a unique or low production aircraft you might have difficulty getting a company to quote the aircraft.

This is also especially important if you are close to 65 years old or older!  Make sure you contact us (or your broker) before you let your insurance expire.  There are aviation underwriters that will not quote new business for pilots older than 65.  Once you cancel or let a policy expire, you become “new” business. At that point, the insurance underwriter that you let expire does not have to take you back.

There are options to keep the coverage in place even if you are not flying.  You could keep ground not-in-motion coverage on the hull to protect it from fire theft and storms.  Or you can reduce the coverage to liability only.

The idea is to keep the policy in place and not have the risk of not being able to get coverage in the future.

Questions, contact SkySmith at – ins@skysmith.com or 515-289-1439

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