Monday, March 30, 2009

Concorde Reunion at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009

For more information contact:
Dick Knapinski, Media and Public Relations
(920) 426-6523
dknapinski@eaa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

'CONCORDE REUNION' ACTIVITIES AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2009 INCLUDE FORUMS,
EVENING PROGRAM AND MORE

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (March 30, 2009) - Nearly a
quarter century ago, British Airways' supersonic Concorde passenger jet
made a historic landing at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. That
appearance, the first of five at Oshkosh for Concorde, was a turning
point for the aircraft and for EAA's annual fly-in convention.

The Concordes are now retired and no longer flying, but the
memories of those trips to Oshkosh are still vivid for many people. At
EAA AirVenture 2009 on July 27-August 2, those recollections and stories
will once again take center stage in "Concorde Reunion" activities
planned the fly-in, known as "The World's Greatest Aviation
Celebration." The event honors the 40th anniversary of the prototype
Concorde's first flight over Europe in 1969.

"Concorde's appearances at Oshkosh were some of the most popular
overall draws in the history of the EAA fly-in," said Tom Poberezny, EAA
chairman and president, as well as AirVenture chairman. "It still gives
me a thrill when I think of the first announcement at London's Heathrow
Airport that asked passengers to board British Airways' Concorde for a
direct flight to Oshkosh.

"Concorde's visits changed the way EAA members looked at their
event and the way the aviation world looked at Oshkosh. We're looking
forward to seeing old friends once again and sharing stories about this
magnificent airplane."

Concorde made its first visit to Oshkosh in 1985, and returned
to Wittman Regional Airport in 1988, 1990, 1994 and 1998. Hundreds of
thousands of visitors got their first, and many times only, close-up
look at a supersonic passenger airliner. In addition, hundreds of EAA
fly-in attendees had the opportunity to fly in Concorde during hour-long
subsonic flights based from Oshkosh.

Among the already confirmed activities during the Concorde
Reunion at Oshkosh are:
-Daily forums on Concorde history and operations;
-An evening program highlighting the history of Concorde
on Wednesday, July 29, at Theater in the Woods;
-Showings of the 1985 "Mach 2 to Oshkosh" film, a
first-person account by the late Bob Collins, longtime EAA member and
Chicago-area radio personality;
-A Concorde Reunion luncheon on Wednesday, July 29, at
the EAA Nature Center for flight crews involved with the Oshkosh
appearances, as well as those who flew on the flights to Oshkosh or the
local flights based at Oshkosh. More information can be obtained or
reservations made by contacting
kphillip@eaa.org.

Additional activities and schedule information will be released
as it is finalized.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World's Greatest Aviation
Celebration and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA
AirVenture information, including advance ticket purchase, is available
online at
www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on
admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call
1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit
www.eaa.org.

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