Kermit Weeks And Jack Mark Hangars Run Airshow Operations

By Maria Morrison

AirVenture is an easy place to get a behind-the-scenes look at aviation. There are hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of aircraft, with many people who are involved in all parts of the aviation world.

However, even past the rows of airplanes and people lies an even deeper look into the operations at Oshkosh. On the north side of the field are a collection of hangars that house the airplanes not seen on display at AirVenture: private jets parked for the weekend, the EAA’s ride-hauling aircraft, and the planes used as performers in the show.

John Hopkins is the Manager of Aircraft Maintenance for the EAA, operating out of both the Kermit Weeks and the Jack Mark hangars. As of Tuesday, July 26th, there were 21 airplanes in the Mark hangar, 16 at Weeks, and 64 sitting outside. The Mark hangar, also the home of a Jet Avia office, holds many of the smaller performers. A collection of Extras and small biplanes crowd into the hangar, being worked on intermittently between shows. In the Weeks hangar they house larger aircraft like Gene Soucy’s Ag Cat and Matt Younkin’s Beech 18. The two Ford Trimotors owned and operated by the EAA are also switched out of the hangar, parking whichever one doesn't need maintenance elsewhere.

Also outside are the private jets flown in from all around the world. A large collection of Phenoms, King Airs, Citations, and more are carefully jigsawed together to create as much space as possible.

The Kermit Weeks hangar was the first building on the field aside from showers and bathrooms. It preceded even the museum at Pioneer Field. After Mr. Weeks suggested the EAA sell the stocks he had donated in the early 70’s, a hangar built in his name was constructed in 1981.

In the Weeks hangar, it is not difficult to find a noteworthy person walking through the door. Be it corporate executives coming in for the day or airshow performers heading out to the show, there is no shortage of interesting people and planes.

(Images provided by the author)

FMI: www.eaa.org/en/eaa/volunteer/volunteerateaaheadquarters/eaakermitweekshangarandaircraftmaintenancevolunteers