Public Benefit Flying In The Spotlight

Organizations, aircraft, and crews who fly supplies and aid to victims of natural disasters, famine, war, or other emergencies will be featured as a major theme at this year’s fly-in at the EAA AirVenture 2025 which runs from July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Douglas DC-8 owned by Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, is the last DC-8 registered in the U.S. and will spend the entire week in Boeing Plaza as the anchor aircraft in the display.

A selection of other General Aviation aircraft representing a broad assortment of pilot groups involved in humanitarian flights will accompany the DC-8 on display in Boeing Plaza.

Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions said, “When disaster strikes, aviation is often the first mode of transportation to the areas that have been hit the hardest. The crews that embark on these missions are dedicated to helping others when they need it the most. We welcome them to Oshkosh as we highlight the humanitarian side of aviation.”

The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 has a range of 7,000 nm and was originally designed as Douglas’ bid to the U.S. Air Force for its aerial refueling aircraft. When the contract went to Boeing for its KC-135 Stratotanker in 1954, Douglas repurposed the design into a passenger airliner that went into service with Delta Air Lines in 1959.

Samaritan’s Purse has put its DC-8 to good use, delivering more than 9 million pounds of cargo on 200 missions since 2016. The organization will bring along in its display a field hospital and water purification system used in developing countries.

FMI:  www.eaa.org/