July-August 2022 - 8

IN D U S T R Y INSP E C T IO N
EAA Mourns Loss of Tom Poberezny, Former President and Chairman
Tom Poberezny, retired president and chairman of the
Experimental Aircraft Association, is being mourned by the
EAA and aviation communities after his death early Monday
(July 25) at age 75, following a brief illness. Poberezny was
EAA president from 1989 until 2010, and also served as
chairman for two years until his retirement in 2011. " It is
not lost on us that Tom's passing
occurred on the opening day of
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the
event he led into world prominence
as its chairman beginning in the
1970s, " said Jack J. Pelton, EAA
CEO and chairman of the board.
" Tom's legacy is tremendous in the
world of aviation with his personal
achievements as well as the growth
of EAA, especially the development
of the current EAA Aviation Center
in Oshkosh, the Young Eagles
program, and the creation of
Sport Pilot nearly 20 years ago.
He will be greatly missed but more
importantly, he will be remembered
for all that he did for EAA and
aviation. Our deep condolences
and prayers go to Tom's wife,
Sharon, and his daughter, Lesley,
and the rest of the Poberezny family. " An accomplished
aviator in his own right, Poberezny was a member of the
U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Team that captured the
World Championship in 1972. The following year, he won
the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship. He
subsequently flew for 25 years as one wing of the legendary
Eagles Aerobatic Team (originally the Red Devils), the
most successful civilian precision flying team in history.
During his career with EAA, Poberezny oversaw a number
of the organization's milestone events. In the late 1970s
he spearheaded EAA's first major capital campaign, which
supported construction of the current EAA Aviation Center
headquarters and museum complex at Wittman Regional
Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In
1992, he led the creation of EAA's
Young Eagles, which has become
the most successful aviation youth
program in history. Realizing the
importance of mentoring to the
future of aviation, EAA aimed to
give 1 million kids between the
ages of 8 and 17 an airplane flight
by the centennial of powered flight
on December 17, 2003. The one
millionth Young Eagle was flown
in October 2003, celebrating the
efforts of 85,000 EAA volunteers
to reach the goal. The Young
Eagles Program has now flown
nearly 2.3 million young people.
In 2002-2003, Poberezny led
EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk
program, which commissioned the
construction of the first completely
EAA
authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer - the
airplane that gave birth to powered flight. The airplane
successfully flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in late 2003
and was present on those hallowed grounds on Dec. 17,
2003 - 100 years to the minute from the Wrights' first flight.
EAA is also planning a memorial and tribute to Poberezny.
www.aviationpros.com/21275270
EMBRAER
E195-E2 Makes Debut Touchdown at London City Airport
Embraer's E195-E2 made its debut landing at London's City Airport (LCY), demonstrating
the aircraft's steep approach capability. The visit, in anticipation of the
aircraft's certification for steep approach into London City at the end of this year,
included ground handling tests and other preparations for the aircraft's first scheduled
flight into LCY, expected shortly after certification. The aircraft, the largest in
the E2 family, seating up to 146 passengers, was flown into LCY on a 39% blend of
sustainable aviation fuel. Alison FitzGerald, chief operation officer at London City
Airport, said. " ...This moment also represents the strength of the partnership we
have with Embraer, and together, we are pushing the envelope of what's possible at
this airport. " At 146 seats and a wingspan of 35 meters, it will be comfortably the
largest aircraft to operate from LCY. " While the immediate focus is certification, "
she said, " we are hopeful that we will see the first E195-E2 in operation next year
with KLM, which will be real cause of celebration. "
www.aviationpros.com/21275370
8 JULY/AUGUST 2022
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
http://www.aviationpros.com/21275270 http://www.aviationpros.com/21275370
July-August 2022

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