Avionics News July 2022 - 32

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH '22
Continued from page 31
The Air Force has plenty to celebrate. U.S. military air
operations date back to the Civil War, when balloons were
first used as reconnaissance platforms. In the early 1900s,
the Army's Signal Corps was tasked with " all matters
pertaining to military ballooning, air machines and all
kindred subjects. "
The first aero squadron, as it was then known, became
active in 1913 and saw its first combat duty in 1916. Today,
the Air Force staff numbers more than 325,000 personnel
operating more than 5,000 aircraft. The Air Force also has
incorporated an increasing number of unmanned aerial
systems as part of its inventory and continues development of
new aerial technology to meet current operational demands.
More aviation celebrations
The EAA Young Eagles program, the largest youth aviation
program ever created, will celebrate its 30th anniversary during
this year's AirVenture, the event where the program began in
1992. The activities will include flights, forums and recognition
throughout the week. Special focus on Young Eagles will take
place on Thursday, July 28.
" Over the past three decades, more than 50,000 volunteer
EAA-member pilots have flown nearly 2.3 million young
people, with thousands of those Young Eagles inspired to pursue
their own aviation dreams and careers, " said David Leiting,
EAA's Eagles programs manager. " At Oshkosh this year, we
want to recognize those volunteers, build on the program's
successes, encourage new pilots to get involved, and celebrate
the lives that have been influenced by the Young Eagles
program. "
Among the activities scheduled for July 28 are:
* Young Eagles flights in the Ford Tri-Motor and Bell 47
helicopter with young people chosen through local EAA
chapters.
* A 1:30 p.m. group photo on Boeing Plaza that day, open
to all previous Young Eagles, Young Eagles pilots, and
volunteers.
* A ceremonial 30th anniversary Young Eagles flight prior
to the afternoon air show, recognizing the impact of the
program on the aviation community.
* An evening program at EAA's Theater in the Woods,
featuring noteworthy Young Eagles, scholarship
recipients, and other special guests.
Throughout the week, the goal is to fly at least 30 Young
Eagles during AirVenture. Additional flights will take place in
EAA's powered parachute in the Fun Fly Zone. An expanded
Young Eagles presence on the grounds all week will include
a pavilion adjacent to the Learn to Fly Center and prop cards
available for any airplane at Oshkosh that has been used to fly
Young Eagles.
32 avionics news * july 2022
Lots of airplanes and more
Already fly? AirVenture offers virtually everything to help
the would-be pilot, the student pilot, aircraft owner and renter,
and builder - the EAA's stock-in-trade. Expect to see or hear
about new airframes, new avionics, new powerplants, and new
everything else for the pilot. That includes all manner of flying
conveyances, from ultralight through business turbine machines.
For example, a number of iconic homebuilt aircraft designs will
be celebrating notable anniversaries this year.
" Many of our members build their own airplanes from kits or
sets of plans, and each year, more than 1,000 of these amateurbuilt
aircraft are among the 10,000-plus aircraft that arrive
here for AirVenture, " said Charlie Becker, EAA's homebuilt
community manager. " In 2022, several popular designs are
celebrating their anniversaries, and we invite all owners of those
aircraft to come to Oshkosh to help commemorate the occasion. "
Anniversary aircraft owners are encouraged to preregister so
they can receive updates on special events, parking and other
activities connected to their airplane type. Among the aircraft
designs reaching important anniversaries in 2022 are:
*
*
*
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Dyke Delta 60th anniversary - One of the most unusual
homebuilt aircraft designs, featuring the rare delta wing.
Fly Baby 60th anniversary - An ultra-economical, singleseat
design with a goal of flying for fun.
Acro Sport 50th anniversary - A fully aerobatic biplane
designed by Paul Poberezny, EAA founder.
KR-1 50th anniversary - A single-seat design that often
serves as an airframe for auto-conversion engines.
* VariViggen 50th anniversary - One of Burt Rutan's first
homebuilt designs that is still a unique profile at any airport.
* Van's RV 50th anniversary - The world's most popular
aircraft kit, with more than 11,000 completed.
Preregistration is available online. Anniversary aircraft
will be featured throughout the week at Oshkosh in flying
demonstrations, forums, displays and other events.
Avionics and electronics
Man does not fly without support, and avionics and electronics
are among the areas likely to see new products introduced as new
or new-and-improved, with all the major players and enough
minor players to have their own event. Veteran AirVenture
attendees know to watch for the announcements from both tiers of
avionics makers and service companies.
The spectrum of introductions typically covers everything from
instruments and gauges for the homebuilders and full-spectrum
integrated avionics suites for everything from the homebuilder
and factory buyer, alike. But with most avionics makers playing
the card for surprise, you'll need to be there or read the daily feed
of press announcements that will dominate the first three days.
Engines, props and sundry other pilot gear will typically enjoy the
spotlight with their own announcements, so stay tuned.
Continued on page 34
Avionics News July 2022

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