MEMBERCENTRAL NEWS FROM HQ
Dick VanGrunsven, founder of Van’s Aircraft, pilots the RV- 1 earlier this year in Florida.
Original RV- 1 Destined for
AirVenture, Museum
SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE FOR EAA AirVenture’s
“A Tribute to Van’s Aircraft (Dick Van-
Grunsven) Day” on Monday, July 23, is Van’s
original airplane design—the RV- 1—at 2: 45
p.m. right before the air show.
The airplane, originally a Stits Playboy,
was modified by Van more than 40 years
ago with a new cantilever wing, canopy,
cowling, and other mods. The public charity
Friends of the RV- 1, which restored the air-
craft, is donating it to EAA for display at the
EAA AirVenture Museum for years to come.
KNOW A TEEN WHO
SOLOED THIS YEAR?
KIDVENTURE PREPARES FOR 14TH YEAR AT AIRVENTURE
JOHN HIGHTOWER, EAA 1036880, and
Laurel Lehman, EAA 1018470, invite all
teenagers who have had their first solo
within the last year to join them for a
party on July 23. John, EAA President/
CEO Rod Hightower’s son, soloed his
family’s Stearman in April, and Laurel
soloed a Cessna 172 in September of
last year. Come to the EAA Partner Resource Center immediately following
the Steve Miller Band concert at EAA
AirVenture for pizza and networking
with other aviation-minded teens.
For more information on this
event and to RSVP, contact Emilie
Lyons at 920-426-6829 or e-mail
elyons@eaa.org.
KIDVENTURE, WHERE YOUNG people can get hands-on experience in aviation-related skills, is getting
ready for its 14th year at AirVenture Oshkosh. KidVenture is sponsored by United Technologies
(UTC) and is located on Pioneer Airport directly across from the AirVenture Museum.
Young people can explore aviation from several different fronts, receiving loggable flight
instruction on a simulator, earning FAA credit toward an A&P certificate through hands-on
building projects, learning how to fly a radio-controlled airplane, modifying a wing on a com-
puter and then finding out how well it flies, and even seeing what it’s like to land on Mars.
“Thanks to UTC’s support, we’ve been able to expand offerings in many areas,” said Dan Ma-
jka, an EAA director who’s been KidVenture chairman since its debut in 1999. “Last year, Kid-
Venture was put on by 490 volunteers
from 52 EAA chapters who volunteered
9,944 hours, making it the best possible
experience for our young guests. And it
is looking even better for 2012 with even
more activities for kids to enjoy.”
For a link to more information
about KidVenture’s daily schedule visit
www.SportAviation.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT A. TERRY
