Participants At AirVenture And Visitors To The EAA Museum Share Aviation Stories

By Maxine Scheer

Associated with most every aircraft, are important stories that need to be told, and not just to preserve history, but to also create more interest in aviation. Since aircraft can't talk, all of those associated with the aircraft, their missions, and their stakeholders must take on responsibility for sharing these stories.

While AirVenture 2016 recently ended, a collection of online video interviews with military and civilian aviators from many aspects of aviation, have been collected by the EAA Museum and continues to grow. EAA offers an opportunity for AirVenture attendees, and others, to tell their aviation stories through an oral history preservation program overseen by the EAA Museum, Timeless Voices of Aviation.

During AirVenture 2016, EAA Museum Curator of Collections, Zack Bowman, spoke with ANN about the recently completed renovation of the Timeless Voices theatre at the Museum and long term goals for Timeless Voices.

The Robert A. and Susan C. Wilson Foundation have renewed their support through a complete renovation of the theater in the museum.† In describing the renovation, Bowman noted, ëthe old green and burgundy theater has undergone improvements, including a 4K high definition 72-inch screen connected to a touch screen monitor that allows visitors to choose from over 100 different clips from multiple categories such as "Military" or "Civilian" stories. There are an additional four stand-alone touch screen kiosks just outside the theatre that visitors can use to watch the same or different video clips than what is being viewed in the main theater.

Bowman (pictured) also noted, "additional clips will be added each month as we continue to edit the collection." Zack Bowman was recently promoted to lead the EAA Museum. Chris Henry, Museum Programs Representative, is now the EAA contact for Timeless Voices.

"We hope to interview and record at least 40 individuals this week during AirVenture 2016," said Baughman. Each year during AirVenture, EAA sets up a Timeless Voices tent in the Warbirds Area and schedules the interviews in a studio, located at the EAA Museum. Visitors to the museum can also schedule opportunities to record their stories.

While there is an effort to capture interviews from World War II veterans, Bowman emphasized that it is also important that all individuals participate, giving examples such as someone who recently learned to fly or finished a homebuilt aircraft. "Stories help get more people interested in aviation," he said. EAA Timeless Voices is interested in civil as well as military aviators, plus mechanics, air traffic controllers, aircraft designers, builders and restorers, flight instructors, writers, air show performers, administrators, airport and FBO operators, airline employees, and anyone else who has a story to share about the role they played in aviation.

The Timeless Voices program is heavily supported through volunteers, including those with experience in communications and videography, and able to share recording equipment and time during AirVenture. With the recent passing of a Timeless Voice volunteer, the Museum needs more volunteers to help increase the museum's capacity for capturing more aviation stories during AirVenture. AirVenture enthusiasts, along with museum and oral history supporters who would like to participate in the Timeless Voices program are encouraged to contact Chris Henry or Zack Bowman at the EAA Museum.

(Images provided by the author)

FMI: www.eaa.org/en/eaa-museum/museum-collection/timeless-voices-of-aviation-video-diaries