What is the Experimental Aircraft Association? A Deep Dive Into the World of Flying
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Are you an adrenaline fanatic with a penchant for high-flying adventure? Or perhaps you're on the hunt for more than your typical weekend outing? Buckle up and prepare for takeoff as we dive into the thrill-filled world of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
This isn't your average airplane club — it's a global community of aviation enthusiasts ready to embrace the sky and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Whether you're an experienced pilot or just have a love for all things aviation, the EAA and the exhilarating experiences offered by Sky Combat Ace are sure to fuel your passion and send your spirits soaring.
What is the Experimental Aircraft Association?
The birth of the Experimental Aircraft Association
The year 1953 was exhilarating for aviation enthusiasts! A group of flight enthusiasts, led by the experienced aviator Paul Poberezny, decided to turn their shared passion for flight into something more — thus, the Experimental Aircraft Association took flight.
Born out of a simple airplane club and named after the "EXPERIMENTAL" placard that adorned their modified or homemade aircraft, the EAA officially spread its wings and incorporated in Wisconsin on March 22, 1955.
From basement to global community
In the beginning, the EAA headquarters were humbly nestled in the basement of Poberezny's house in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. As the experimental plane club expanded, it migrated to a dedicated space in Franklin, a suburb of Milwaukee, during the early 1960s.
But the EAA's journey didn't stop there. By 1983, it had merged its headquarters with a fly-in site in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, creating the EAA Aviation Center.
This location also houses the EAA Aviation Museum, an adrenaline rush for any aviation enthusiast, exhibiting over 200 aircraft, with approximately 130 on display at any given time.
More than just an airplane club
While the EAA's roots are anchored in homebuilding, it has blossomed into an organization that spans almost every aspect of aviation and aeronautics. Today, the EAA is more than just an airplane club; it's a global community reaching over 100 countries with more than 1,000 local chapters.
Anyone with a fascination for aviation can join this worldwide network of registered adrenaline junkies, although local chapters must maintain nonprofit status in order to remain recognized by the EAA.
Embracing the diversity of flight
The EAA's evolution didn't slow down during the 1960s and 70s. It opened its doors to members with diverse aviation interests. Today, it emphasizes recreational aviation and has created specialized divisions for those with a particular interest in vintage aircraft, warbirds (privately owned former military aircraft), aerobatics, ultralights, and home-built planes.
This wide variety of interests showcases the EAA's commitment to celebrating all aspects of aviation. It offers fun things to do and a thrilling, inclusive community for anyone enchanted by the magic of flight.
What does the Experimental Aircraft Association do?
As a global organization, the EAA's primary focus is on grassroots recreational aviation. But it also aims to educate, preserve, and inspire. Here are a few of the things they do:
- Member benefits and discounts: EAA provides resources to make flying more accessible and affordable
- Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet: Attend an annual banquet that honors the spirit and achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright
- EAA merchandise: Find the ideal gift for any aviation enthusiast or stock up on supplies at the EAA store
- EAA AeroEducate: A free online aviation education resource for youths, parents, educators, and chapter members. This program offers fun, aviation-based activities designed to inspire youth to explore exciting career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.
- Local chapters: EAA's local chapters bring together individuals interested in learning more about aviation and sharing their knowledge
- EAA Young Eagles: Since 1992, this program has introduced over two million young people to the world of flight
There's plenty to do within this organization, and also much more to explore if you book an experience with Sky Combat Ace.
How much does it cost to join the Experimental Aircraft Association?
An individual membership costs $48 annually. You can add your spouse or children to your membership with an affordable annual plan of $60. And if you want to go all in and become a lifetime member, it's a one-time payment of $1,295.
- Monthly Sport Aviation Magazine subscription
- Discounts at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
- Access to local EAA Chapters
- Resources for affordable flying
- Participation in EAA Advocacy
- Free entry to nearly 400 museums, including access to the famed EAA Aviation Museum
- Access to exclusive web content and e-newsletters
- Access to Warbirds, IAC, and Vintage aviation communities
- EAA benefits for your spouse/children
- A personalized lifetime member jacket
- Engraved bronze oak award plaque
- Personalized ID card, patch, gold pin, and decals
Take to the skies with Sky Combat Ace
This value-packed membership is great for enjoying all of the EAA's benefits. However, what if you want to take it a step further and experience aviation from an adrenaline-filled perspective? Then it's time to book with Sky Combat Ace!
Our experienced pilots will take you up in a high-performance aircraft and give you an experience like no other. You'll have the chance to try aerobatic maneuvers, feel the thrill of air combat, or even fly your own plane with one of our flight training programs.
So why wait? Book now and let Sky Combat Ace help you embrace your passion for flying!
The Afterburner
YOU GET TO FLY THE MANEUVERS
Why ride along when you can fly your own airshow routine…? Featuring both basic and advanced aerobatics, you take the controls and become your very own airshow pilot.
Sky Combat
LASER TAG IN THE SKY!
Experience the thrill of air-to-air combat as you wage a battle for aerial dominance where there can be only one victor. YOU fly the plane with a trained SCA fighter pilot.
Top Gun
FLY LIKE A TOP GUN PILOT!
If you want to experience the most amazing, butt kicking, extreme adventure of a lifetime, then look no further than our Top Gun package!
Operation Recon
WE FLY THE MANEUVERS
Appropriate for the whole family, this is a great way to be introduced to the world of basic aerobatics. Think of it as a roller coaster without the rails.
Fly A Real Stunt Plane!
Sky Combat Ace was created by a U.S. Air Force veteran fighter pilot who wanted to make the thrill of flying fighter jets available to anyone who feels the need for speed.
Learn to fly a stunt plane under the supervision of our highly trained, FAA certified flight instructors. No experience necessary and YOU get to fly the plane!
OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY
All SCA flights are instructional in nature conducted by certified flight instructors in accordance with federal aviation regulations under 14 CFR Part 61 of the United States Code. Instruction will be provided during ground and flight portions for all flights.