Oshkosh 2016, booth and forum schedule

Builders,

We are now about a month away from Oshkosh. Our booth is #616 in the North aircraft display area, the same location it has been for six years, directly across from Zenith aircraft, right next to SPA/Panther. The show starts on the 25th, but commercial displays are assembled the day before. If time allows, we will be stopping at Brodhead WI for the Pietenpol gathering on the way to Oshkosh.

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I have been giving The Corvair forums at Oshkosh the last 18 years. This year I have the following  three scheduled:

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Oshkosh is a good time to see friends, get a look at parts in person, ask a lot of questions and make some good memories. While we are there I always catch the Zenith dinner, the Homebuilders dinner, and The Panther/Corvair BBQ. Many people close their booths right at 5pm, but ours is something of a social spot after hours. I hope to see as many of you as possible at Airventure. -ww.

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The EAA is an organization I believe in. I have been an EAA member since 1989, 1990 was my first trip to Oshkosh, I have been a Chapter president (288) and a Tech Councilor, worked for EAA publications for a number of years, Participated in the original Sport Pilot rule conferences, made display donations to the museum,  have been a guest speaker at dozens of chapters, given Airventure forums for almost 20 years, and been a commercial presenter at Oshkosh for more than a decade. This said, I have still gotten more back from the EAA and it’s membership than I have been able to put back.

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Below I would like to briefly mention three people who are long time EAA people who have worked on behalf of the interests of the membership for decades. They are some of the best people I have met in aviation. They all knew Paul Poberezny, ( Speaking of Paul Poberezny) and each of them bring their own version of his spirit to our organization.

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Above, The EAA’s Charlie Becker ( in blue) Grace and Joe Sarcione hanging out at our Oshkosh tent for the night airshow in 2015. Charlie is the EAA’s director of the homebuilding community. Charlie is an accomplished pilot and homebuilder, and supremely qualified for his mission. In a world of soft morals and tepid commitments, he is integrity defined.  While impressive in his craft, it is his actions away from flying that generate the great respect of all of Charlie’s friends.

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Above, EAA Editor Mary Jones with Chris Heintz.  I think that Mary is the most influential aviation journalist of our times because her work has always been about the story, just the opposite of many other writers. Countless times I have read a very good story, only noting at the last moment her name on the by line. This  is as it should be, her work always carrying the hall marks of quality and accuracy.  Everyone knows her as tough but fair, an excellent listener, an outstanding writer. Readers inherently understood that her coverage was accurate and reliable, the only yardsticks that matter. Her work to define and promote the Sport Pilot rule demonstrated her commitment to the lasting success of aviation in this country. As my mentor is publishing, she taught me why some stories are not main stream : Thought for the Day: “The only guy promoting alcohol, firearms and aviation” but she is also a lot of fun; when she visited Grace and I in Daytona Beach we spent a pleasant evening at “The Last Resort”, the bar made famous as the favorite place of serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

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Above, the EAA’s forums chief, Mark Forss.  Forums are a critical interface between members and the EAA when it comes to supporting the original mission of learn, build and fly. Articles in publications are very good at igniting dreams, but to make things happen, for dreamers to become builders, the best point of entry are the face to face exchanges of understanding provided by forums. Mark supports this mission year round with his involvement in the sport air workshops. He is a skilled builder and a pilot. Grace and I, and countless other people are very grateful for all of the work he as done for EAA members.

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