He And Mark Baker Honored By Civil Air Patrol

By Tom Patton

EAA president and Chairman Jack Pelton said the AirVenture week is off to a great start at his annual opening day news conference on Monday.

Pelton said that 860 exhibitors have brought products and services to Wittman Regional Airport for the show. Among the unique airplanes that can be seen at AirVenture are the Martin Mars flying boat ... which until the introduction of the Boeing 747 was the largest-capacity airliner in the world, and the Interstate Cadet airplane that was actually flying when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. That airplane has been restored and will be flying this week as part of the Pearl Harbor re-enactment marking the 75th anniversary of the attack.

Pelton said that admission presales are up over last year, and that the fly-in camping area was full as of Monday afternoon. "I cannot remember a time when on Monday, opening day, we already had to turn away potential campers," Pelton said, adding that the believes there are other areas that can be opened to accommodate more airplanes and campers.

Both Boeing and Airbus will have a presence at the show. Boeing is bringing in a 747 to celebrate its Centennial year, while Airbus has the E-Fan aircraft that will not be flying but will be on display at their exhibit.

There is a lot of focus this year on Young Eagles and getting young people interested in aviation. Harrison Ford will be flying the 2 millionth Young Eagle on Thursday, and just after that, Fred Stadler … who has flown more than 6,000 young eagles over the years … will be flying the 2-million-first Young Eagle during the show. EAA is also launching its Sport Pilot Academy at AirVenture, which will offer scholarships towards a sport pilot certificate.

Prior to the news conference, Pelton and AOPA president Mark Baker were presented with replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Civil Air Patrol. Maj. Gen. Joe Vasquez presented the replica medals to Pelton and Baker in recognition of the two organization's support of the CAP. CAP, EAA and AOPA work together on major fly-in's nationwide, and CAP volunteers offer a great deal of support at AirVenture. The Civil Air Patrol was founded 75 years ago.

(Staff images)

FMI: www.eaa.org