EAA Press And Media Room

Information for Journalists

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was founded on January 26, 1953 in Milwaukee, Wis., as a local club for those who built and restored their own aircraft. It quickly grew to include anyone who enjoys flying for recreation and welcomes all aviation enthusiasts to participate. Today, EAA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation (legal name: Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.) that includes 170,000 members in more than 100 countries.

EAA's mission is dedicated to providing aviation access to all who wish to participate. As part of that, EAA is committed to:

• Protecting the right to fly and own recreational aircraft;
• Promoting opportunities to experience and enjoy aviation;
• Preserving aviation history and heritage;
• Preparing for tomorrow and future generations of aviators.

EAA is governed by a board of directors elected by its membership. That board elects the association's President, which administers EAA's full-time staff of approximately 175 employees at its headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In addition, EAA has chartered approximately 1,000 local Chapters, which promote local aviation activities in their communities and regions. That includes a number of international Chapters in Europe, South America and Africa.

FAST FACTS

Headquarters: EAA Aviation Center, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
President/CEO: Tom Poberezny (first elected 1989)
Total international membership: 170,000 (U.S. members: Approx. 150,000)
History: After its founding in 1953, EAA's first headquarters was located in the basement of the home of Paul Poberezny, EAA's President 1953-1989 and father of current president Tom Poberezny. The first permanent facility was opened in Franklin, Wis., in the early 1960s. The organization moved to Oshkosh when the EAA Aviation Center opened in 1983, along with the new EAA AirVenture Museum.
Annual dues: $40

GENERAL CONTACTS

Address: PO Box 3086, Oshkosh WI 54903-3086
General phone number: 920-426-4800
Web site: www.eaa.org

AFFILIATES/DIVISIONS

• EAA Warbirds of America
• Vintage Aircraft Association
• International Aerobatic Club
• National Association of Flight Instructors
• EAA Homebuilt Aircraft
• EAA Ultralight Council

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: The world's largest general aviation gathering, held each summer at Oshkosh, Wis. The event draws an annual attendance of 750,000 and welcomes more than 10,000 aircraft from around the world. (www.airventure.org)
• EAA AirVenture Museum: One of the world's largest private collections of aircraft is presented in this facility, which includes numerous programs throughout the year. There are also flying activities at the museum's Pioneer Airport each summer. (www.airventuremuseum.org)
• Young Eagles: EAA volunteer pilots have flown more than 1 million young people free of charge since July 1992. Young Eagles is designed to introduce young people ages 8-17 to general aviation, and to inspire them to discover the possibilities available to them. (www.youngeagles.org)
• Aviation safety programs: EAA's aviation programs, such as Technical Counselors and Flight Advisors, have been directly credited by the Federal Aviation Administration for enhancing aviation safety, particularly in homebuilt aircraft.
• SportAir Workshops: Multi-day sessions are held throughout North America, helping people learn the skills needed to build or restore their own aircraft.
• Aircraft tours: Each year, EAA flies several of its aircraft to sites throughout the country, allowing people to discover and experience these unique pieces of flying history. Those airplanes include a Boeing B-17 bomber, 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airliner and a "Spirit of St. Louis" replica.
• Youth education programs: EAA prepares the future of flight through its youth education outreach, including the annual Air Academy residence camps held in Oshkosh, Wis.

PUBLICATIONS

Periodic magazines:

• Sport Aviation
• Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft
• Warbirds
• Sport Aerobatics
• Vintage Airplane
• NAFI Mentor

Annuals:

• EAA's Homebuilt aircraft guide
• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Program
• EAA AirVenture Today (Fly-in daily newspaper)

Electronic:

• E-Hotline (weekly)

ONGOING PROGRAMS

• Government Representation - EAA focuses its advocacy efforts to protect the right of all qualified individuals to fly. With staff located in both the Oshkosh Headquarters and Washington, D.C., EAA can continually monitor legislative and regulatory activity, which affects the right to fly.
• Technical Counselors - A national network of highly qualified volunteers, who supply advice and counsel to those attempting to build or restore their own aircraft.
• Flight Advisors - A network of certified flight instructors and other experienced aviators, who help EAA members match their piloting skills to the airplane they wish to build or fly.
• Education/Outreach - EAA has several national programs of aviation education and outreach for people of all ages. Programs include the dynamic EAA Air Academy resident education experience for young people and Sport Air Workshops, traveling workshops designed to provide hands-on help to those wishing to build their own airplane.
• Premium Cost Savings - EAA offers its members strong cost saving programs on items ranging from aircraft insurance to automobiles, grounds keeping equipment, car rentals and other goods and services.