Tag Archives: experimental aircraft

Young Eagles Day on June 12

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EAA International Young Eagles Day on June 12 offers young people the inspiration of flight

EAA chapters, members to fly kids free of charge

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 10, 2021) — The Experimental Aircraft Association’s International Young Eagles Day, which focuses on flying thousands of kids as an introduction to aviation, returns on Saturday, June 12, at locations throughout North America. The return of the annual event comes after the COVID pandemic sidelined the all-volunteer effort in 2020.

EAA chapters and members will fly kids ages 8-17 free of charge at local airports in their communities on that day, in activities that highlight the year-round program that has flown more than 2.2 million young people since its introduction in 1992. Thousands of those Young Eagles have become professional and recreational pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation technicians, and more after being inspired by their Young Eagles flight.

“We are in many ways making International Young Eagles Day the restart point for the Young Eagles program after the COVID pandemic put most flights on hiatus for the past year,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA’s CEO and chairman of the board. “One thing that never faltered, though, was the enthusiasm of our volunteer pilots and ground support teams, who are eager to introduce kids to the possibilities of flight once again.”

Also expected to participate are Young Eagles program chairman and air show legend Sean D. Tucker, and Young Eagles co-chairman, NFL tight end Jimmy Graham, who are both avid pilots.

An EAA Young Eagles flight pairs a young person with a certificated pilot. After a pre-flight session that explains the parts of the airplane and how pilots prepare to fly safely each time, a brief 15-20 minute introductory flight provides a unique experience. All Young Eagles receive a certificate commemorating their adventure following the flight, and also receive follow-up opportunities ranging from free learn-to-fly courses to more aviation-related experiences that delve deeper into the world of flight.

Many Young Eagle flights are part of EAA chapter activities, which bring numerous airplanes together to provide flight experiences to youth. While the Young Eagles flights are available for the young people, parents and families are welcome to join in the activities prior to and after the flights.

More information is available at EAA.org/YoungEagles. Flight rallies and experiences throughout the country may have COVID-related protocols and precautions in place.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft

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Wide range of U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021

Flying demonstrations and ground displays featured July 28-August 1

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 7, 2021) — The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will bring a wide spectrum of its aircraft designed for unique missions as part of its presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, which takes place July 26-August 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“As we’ve solidified the roster of aircraft from AFSOC this year, the variety of aircraft coming to Oshkosh is truly impressive,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Each of these aircraft have a distinct mission and role within AFSOC, and those stories will be told at AirVenture 2021.”

AFSOC is comprised of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen, who conduct special operations missions worldwide. Airmen who undertake Special Operations careers specialize in unique skills such as parachuting, scuba diving, rappelling, motorcycling, survival skills, and more. Aircraft in the command include specialized mobility aircraft such as the MC-130, CV-22 and C-146, Strike aircraft such as the AC-130 gunship, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft such as the MQ-9 and U-28.

The AFSOC aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Thursday, July 28, and remain through Sunday, August 1. There may be more than one of some models at Oshkosh. The aircraft roster includes (subject to change):

  • AC-130J Ghostrider
  • MC-130J Commando II
  • EC-130J Commando Solo
  • CV-22 Osprey
  • U-28A Draco
  • C-145A Combat Coyote
  • C-146A Wolfhound
  • MQ-9 Reaper
  • MC-12W Liberty

The AFSOC aircraft will be on ground display with several participating in air show flying demonstrations. In addition, AFSOC personnel will participate in an evening program at EAA’s Theater in the Woods on Saturday, July 31, to highlight the activities and mission of the Special Operations Command.

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. EAA members receive the lowest prices on admission rates. Free youth admission for ages 18 and under is supported in part by The Boeing Company. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

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F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

For Immediate Release
February 26th, 2021

Lakeland, Florida: The 2021 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is excited to welcome home U.S. Air Force Major Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson as he joins an exclusive airshow lineup as the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team pilot and commander.

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

Graduating from Bloomingdale High School in Valrico in 2004, Gunderson received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy at age 17 and graduated in 2008. He dreamed of being in the seat of a fighter jet after seeing them perform at SUN ‘n FUN and other airshows he attended near his Central Florida hometown.

Gunderson is looking forward to the homecoming and said, “I am extremely excited about returning to my home state of Florida and flying at SUN ‘n FUN. I attended many SUN ‘n FUN events as a kid and loved seeing the military jets, so it’s an honor to pay that forward to future aviators.”

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team
The F22 Raptor provides the USAF with a lethal combination of stealth, maneuverability, weaponry, and surveillance capabilities that make it unmatched by any other fighter, current or projected.

“We are very pleased to welcome Cabo and his team to Lakeland,” said Greg Gibson, Airshow Director and CMO for SUN ‘n FUN. “The Raptor is one of my personal favorites. The incredible maneuverability and its ability to demonstrate such agility and power while literally disappearing from the enemy in combat is truly amazing. I hope everyone will come join us to see what I mean when they see it perform in person!”

The F22 Raptor Demonstration Team is based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, VA, and consists of 19 elite members that includes the pilot, safety officer, superintendent, team chief, multiple crew chiefs, avionics specialists, public affairs and aircrew flight equipment technicians. Together, the team visits local schools, hospitals, and participates
in various community events in addition to performing aerial demonstrations. The team is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually.

Fans can see “Cabo” put the Raptor though its incredible demonstration profile April 16, 17, and 18 at SUN ‘n FUN, and he will perform in two presentations with the aircraft daily. First, he will give an incredible high-performance display of jaw-dropping speed, precision and maneuverability, followed by the patriotic Heritage Flight, where the Raptor will be joined by a vintage P-51 Mustang in a moving formation tribute flight to honor our nation’s aviation heroes from all eras. SUN n’ FUN is honored to welcome Maj. Gunderson home to celebrate the past, present, and future of aviation.

The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is April 13th-18th. Come join the excitement and watch in awe as Maj. Gunderson joins the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and dozens of other performers in daily airshows, as well as hundreds of aircraft displays and outdoor exhibits in this historic return of one of the Bay Area’s mainstays in family entertainment.