Tag Archives: experimental aircraft

TOP AIR SHOW PERFORMERS COMMIT TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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TOP AIR SHOW PERFORMERS COMMIT TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

More performers to be added to initial all-star roster in coming weeks

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (January 18, 2018) — Some of the world’s top air show performers have made their commitments to fly at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration – as part of the afternoon and night air show lineups.

Those performers include aerobatic champions and longtime Oshkosh favorites for the 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, scheduled for July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport. The afternoon air shows are presented by Quest Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada, while the Saturday, July 28, night air show is presented by Oshkosh Corporation.

“This is already an outstanding all-star air show lineup and we’re just getting started,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “We use the feedback collected each year to bring favorite performers back to Oshkosh, while adding exciting new acts and air show attractions connected with particular aircraft, events, and anniversaries.”

Among the performers and aircraft already planning to appear at Oshkosh in 2018 are:

AeroShell Aerobatic Team (T-6s)

Vicky Benzing (Extra 300S)

Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team (Harvards)

Bob Carlton (SubSonex JSX-2)

Kirby Chambliss (Edge 540)

Matt Chapman (Extra 300LX)

Class of ’45 (P-51/Corsair)

Kyle Fowler (Rutan Long-EZ)

Kyle Franklin (Demon-1 Dracula)

GEICO Skytypers (SNJ-2s)

Mike Goulian (Extra 330SC)

Rob Holland (MXS-RH)

Jerry Kerby (RV-8A)

Greg Koontz (Xtreme Decathlon/Piper J-3 Cub)

Justin Lewis (FLS Microjet)

David Martin (Beech Baron)

Jessy Panzer (Pitts Special)

Paradigm Aerobatic Team (Powered paragliders)

Patriot Parachute Team (skydiving)

Jim Peitz (Beechcraft F-33C Bonanza)

Gene Soucy/Teresa Stokes (Showcat)

Bill Stein (Zivko Edge 540)

Skip Stewart (Pitts S2S Prometheus)

Trojan Thunder (T-28 Trojan)

Sean D. Tucker (Oracle Challenger III)

Patty Wagstaff (Extra 330S)

Scott Yoak (P-51 Mustang)

Matt Younkin (Twin Beech 18)

Along with these early confirmations, many more exciting performers will be announced, including some only-in-Oshkosh performers and aircraft. Exact days for each performer and complete daily air show lineups will be announced as they are finalized.

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.

 

RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

British Meteor, Venom, and Vampire to join U.S., Canadian, Soviet jets at event

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 14, 2017) — Some of the oldest jet aircraft in existence will be flying over the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 as the world’s largest fly-in convention brings together a rarely-seen gathering of these early jets.

The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event annually welcomes more than 10,000 airplanes and 500,000 people from 80 nations to celebrate the history and future of flight.

Among the airplanes expected to participate is a rare British Meteor, currently the oldest flying original jet in existence, which will arrive from the United Kingdom. British Venom and Vampire jets will be part of the gathering, as will American designs such as the T-33 “Shooting Star” and F-86 “Sabre,” as well as a Soviet-era MiG-17.

“Classic jets have been part of the EAA AirVenture warbirds lineup for a number of year, but to include rare British aircraft such as the Meteor, Venom and Vampire makes the 2018 gathering even more special,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Many people have never seen some of these jets fly in-person, which is why bringing these airplanes together is another reason EAA AirVenture 2018 is a can’t-miss event for aviation fans.”

“Oshkosh is known as the place where everything that flies is welcome and is appreciated by attendees, so to bring these rare jets to the AirVenture flightline is among the highlights of our odyssey to save, restore, and fly these magnificent airplanes.” said Marty Tibbitts, President of the World Heritage Air Museum of Detroit, Michigan, which is bringing the British jets to Oshkosh in 2018. The museum’s mission is to rescue military jet aircraft from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Other early jet aircraft will be coming from members of the Classic Jet Aircraft Association as well as private owners throughout North America. These enthusiasts are encouraging all owners of vintage jet aircraft to fly to Oshkosh in 2018 to make this reunion one of the largest ones even undertaken.

“The opportunity to be a part of the air shows and programming at Oshkosh is one that all classic jet owners should attend,” said Zach McNeill, Classic Jet Aircraft Association president. “These airplanes have unique histories and so many individual stories. The best place to share them is at Oshkosh, where worldwide aviation fans are eager to hear and appreciate more about these airplanes.”

The F-86 and T-33 aircraft communities are also urging their members to bring their aircraft to AirVenture, where they will participate in the daily air shows, displays on the Boeing Plaza main showcase ramp, and up-close presentations as part of the Warbirds in Review program. Complete details, including air show participation, will be released as they are finalized.

“We’re looking to create a reunion of these legendary jets at Oshkosh that is rarely seen by the public,” said Paul Keppeler, who owns and flies both a T-33 and F-86 jet aircraft. “There is something about being part of the Oshkosh experience that creates unforgettable moments, and we want as many of these jets as possible to be there this coming summer.”

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.

 

RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT

AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT TOTALS DROP TO HISTORIC LOWS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT TOTALS DROP TO HISTORIC LOWS

EAA safety efforts contribute to steady decline while flight hours increase

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 16, 2017) — Fatal accidents in experimental category aircraft, particularly amateur-built aircraft, continued their decline during the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2017 fiscal year that ended September 30, falling to historic lows.

For the 12-month period from October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017, fatal accident totals in amateur-built aircraft were down 18 percent to just 27, compared with 33 during the 2016 fiscal year. That continues a four-year trend that has seen a total drop of 47 percent in fatal accidents, despite an increasing amount of flight hours each year over that period. The specific totals compare to 40 amateur-built aircraft fatal accidents during the 2015 fiscal year and 51 in the 2014 fiscal year.

In addition, fatal accident totals for the experimental category overall, including racing aircraft, those used for exhibit only, research-and-development, and some types of light-sport aircraft, dropped as well. Total fatal accidents fell from 49 to 45 during the 12-month measurement period ending September 30, 2017. The final figures are nearly 25 percent below the FAA’s “not-to-exceed” goal of 59 fatal accidents for that period.

“These are historic lows for fatal accident in amateur-built aircraft and this continuing trend is a credit to everyone who is focusing on safety,” said Sean Elliott, vice president of Advocacy and Safety for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), who highlighted these figures at the FAA General Aviation Safety Summit in late October. “The overall fatal accident numbers remain much lower than other recreational pursuits, such as paddle sports, skiing and snowboarding, and driving all-terrain vehicles. Statistics even show that being involved in a fatal amateur-built aircraft accident is less likely than being killed in a lightning strike incident.”

EAA has worked closely with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including through participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee that EAA co-chairs. The EAA focus has also included the Founder’s Innovation Prize competition that seeks innovations to reduce loss-of-control accidents in amateur-built aircraft; a focus on transition and recurrent training; and use of an additional safety pilot during initial flight testing in amateur-built aircraft.

“These efforts build upon EAA’s longstanding Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor programs, and additional safety materials available through EAA’s flagship Sport Aviation magazine,” Elliott said. “Further reducing the accident totals is a continuing challenge, but one that is foremost as part of EAA’s mission to grow participation in aviation.”

About EAA

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 200,000 members and 1,000 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.

EAA-2017-45, For more information, contact: Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications, (920) 426-6523  dknapinski@eaa.org