Saturday, January 14, 2017

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Exhibitors - EAA and AOPA

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo
http://www.airassociatesmo.com/tae/EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 hosted the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), another national aviation promotional group, along with several units of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA).  Both organizations are strong advocates for general aviation and homebuilders, and we have included some of the highlights of the week's activities at the EAA and AOPA exhibits. 

The EAA Welcome and Member Centers were in prime locations near Boeing Centennial Plaza.  The weekend before opening day was a busy time for exhibit preparation, and the main walkway was painted in the now familiar blue and white EAA colors.







EAA staff and volunteers provided opportunities for visitors to practice the skills needed for building modern experimental aircraft.  Here we show a metalworking station where visitors practiced making precise angles and riveting aluminum strips into cookie-cutter shapes.  
 





EAA Canada had an exhibit not far away, with several Canadian-registered aircraft to draw our attention.  Visitors could attend forums and discuss working within Canadian aviation rules when flying within Canada as compared to U.S. operations. 
 




EAA's B-25H Mitchell Berlin Express was towed out for exhibit near the flightline during the week.  It appeared in the movie Catch-22 under the same name, and is undergoing restoration to flying status.
 



The annual EAA sweepstakes aircraft for 2016 was a Piper L-4J warbird.  The aircraft was less than 100 hours out of a restoration to prior war service factory condition.  
 
The AOPA had a significant exhibit near the Brown Arch monument.  Daily forums and educational programs were heavily attended during the week, and featured here is the morning program covering the private pilot medical reforms championed by AOPA and recently passed by Congress.  AOPA also hosted an autograph session with legendary Aerobatic pilot, Patty Wagstaff.   
 







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