EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023: EAA Aviation Museum Is World Class Destination All Year Round

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, sponsored by Piston Aviation, continues with a visit to the EAA Aviation Museum, a jewel of homebuilt aviation history housed in a beautiful, modern facility at Pioneer Airport. On display are experimental, aerobatic, racing and prototype aircraft, including record-breaking Rutan designs that have become aviation legends due in part to the advocacy efforts of the Experimental Aircraft Association. A new statue of Tom Poberezny is featured here in its placement across from the likeness of his father, Paul Poberezny. The museum is a short bus ride from the main event grounds during AirVenture, and well worth a visit throughout the year.

We begin our coverage with a look at the EAA Aviation Museum and some aircraft on display directly outside of the main building.

The constant helicopter tour flights are conducted from Pioneer Airport near the EAA Aviation Museum and include a circuit over much of the parked aircraft, campgrounds and the aircraft on display in Boeing Plaza. One of the iconic images of AirVenture is the constant orbiting of classic Bell 47 helicopters, sometimes three or more at a time. 

Here we start with the walk from the EAA Aviation Museum to the Pioneer Airport grounds from where the helicopter flights are conducted. While on the Pioneer Airport side of the campus, we visited with our friends Patrick and Natalia McAlee, the dynamic duo ExtremeFlight airshow team featuring Patrick's amazing airshow flying in the Blue Demon and Natalia's starring role as "Wonder Woman of Aviation" interacting with the crowds on the ground. They are known as fan favorites for their accessibility and STEAM program, including a Virtual Reality flight experience and activity book that teaches the basics of aerobatic flying to our youth. Check their website often for schedule updates and be sure to see him in person in 2024!

The Aero Experience will continue our coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 throughout the coming spring. In the spirit of the New Year, we include a celebratory preview of the Saturday night airshow and fireworks display.

The Aero Experience Sponsorship Announcement: Patrick McAlee Airshows - ExtremeFlight - 2013-2016 Coverage

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience continues to celebrate the announcement of our sponsorship of Patrick McAlee Airshows - ExtremeFlight - with a look back on some of the previous event coverage from 2013-2016.  Our team met Patrick McAlee in the summer of 2013, and we have come to appreciate not only his piloting skills, but also his willingness to participate in other projects that contributed to our mission of promoting Midwest Aviation.  Here is another look at some of the events that have led us to join with the Patrick McAlee Airshows - ExtremeFlight team.

Fair St. Louis Air Show, July 2013

Patrick McAlee flew his Pitts S-1S the Blue Demon in the Midwest's largest airshow over the Mississippi River along with top national performers.  The St. Louis native gave a top-notch performance and interacted with the crowds at St. Louis Downtown Airport.    

Midwest Airport Fun Days, June 2014

Patrick McAlee was the aerobatic pilot representative at the 2014 Midwest Airport Fun Days held at the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum at St. Louis Downtown Airport.  He flew low smoke passes over the runway for the crowd and signed autographs near the Blue Demon at the museum.

Higher Education Channel TV Special, October 2014

Patrick McAlee participated in the HEC-TV Special, "Explore! Flying," representing both commercial and aerobatic flying.  He participated in a live discussion in the St. Louis studio and provided background materials to illustrate his flight experience.  See his segment at the link above.

Pre-Season Practice and Photo Session at Washington, MO Airport, March 2015

The Aero Experience spent a few days at Washington, MO Regional Airport, Patrick McAlee's home base, to get some pre-season promotional material.  While mostly cloudy, we did get some unique views of Patrick and the Blue Demon.  

Interview for Fly Now! The Movie at Washington, MO Regional Airport,  March 2015

Patrick McAlee is featured in Fly Now! The Movie, released in December 2015.  His segment included the interview pictured here and video from airshows and practice sessions.  The link above shows the segment and movie ordering information.

Airport Day for Alec Ingram, Pediatric Cancer Patient's First Flight and Tour, October 2016

Patrick McAlee contributed to a special flight experience for a local pediatric cancer patient, Alec Ingram, and his family at Washington, MO Regional Airport.  Alec received his first flight with the airport manager, a tour of the open hangars and a series of low smoke passes by Patrick.  Alec also received an ExtremeFlight T-shirt and autographs.  See the link above for details of the story.

     


   
   
      

     




The Aero Experience will soon rejoin Patrick McAlee during the winter aircraft preparation time before the 2017 season begins.  Check back often for our coverage of Patrick McAlee Airshows - ExtremeFlight throughout the coming year.