Centennial of Air Mail service salute will honor early aviation pioneers at EAA AirVenture 2011

Aircraft already confirmed include EAA’s 1911 Bleriot XI replica, restored Curtis JN-4 ‘Jenny’

       EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Dec. 22, 2010) — Vintage aircraft and attractions, along with special programming, will honor early aviation pioneers through a commemoration of centennial of air mail service during EAA AirVenture 2011. The 59th annual edition of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” will be held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

       The 100th anniversary commemoration of air mail service will focus on the aircraft and people of the pre-World War II era when air mail pioneers laid many important foundations for modern aviation, including aircraft, routes, and navigation aids.

       At heart of this centennial celebration will be the display located in the Vintage aircraft area. Already confirmed aircraft include EAA’s airworthy Bleriot XI replica, painted to represent Earle Ovington’s airplane that made the first official air mail flights in 1911, as well as a Hisso-powered Curtis JN-4 “Jenny” owned by Ron Alexander (EAA #137890). This new restoration will be painted to represent the airplane that completed the first regularly scheduled air mail service beginning in May 1918 on a route between Washington, D.C., and New York City, with an intermediate stop in Philadelphia.

       Additionally, EAA will have several aircraft from its AirVenture Museum collection on display, including a Pitcairn Mailwing, Swallow, Ford Tri-Motor, Pitcairn Autogiro, and Fairchild FC-2. Alexander has also indicated his Stearman C3B will be present as well. Owners of antique aircraft having a direct link to air mail operations who wish to take part in the festivities can email their interest to vintageaircraft@eaa.org. 

       “One of the earliest practical uses for powered flight in its fledgling years was air mail service,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. “Air mail service played an integral role in advancing aviation, and this commemoration will recognize the legacy left by those pioneers and the brave souls who were lost along the way.”

       Other activities and features planned around the air mail centennial include an air mail station where children and adults can write letters and have them mailed via vintage biplane, re-enactors dressed as historic air mail pilots, Theater in the Woods programming, movies, museum exhibits, and much more.

       Several top-level attractions and events will also commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation  at AirVenture 2011, which has been classified a Tier 1 event by the U.S. Navy for its year-long celebration. Special themed days include “Tribute to Bob Hoover” Day on Tuesday, July 26, Navy Day on Wednesday, July 27, and “Tribute to Burt Rutan” Day on Thursday, July 28.

       Additionally, returning for 2011 will be the Opening Day Concert presented by the Ford Motor Company on Monday, July 25, the widely popular Night Air Show and Fireworks on Saturday, July 30, and the World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, featuring influential industry leaders discussing the emerging era of electric flight, on Friday, July 29.

       Advance purchase admission tickets and camping for AirVenture 2011 are now available at a discounted rate at www.airventure.org/tickets. 

      EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping 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. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.