Airbus A380 Fills AeroShell Square

July 28, 2009
The Airbus A380 will be open for public tours on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and again on Friday from 9 a.m.-12 noon.

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (July 28, 2009) - Two iconic aircraft flew over the AirVenture grounds today. The first, Virgin Galactic Mothership (VMS) Eve, was flown with the Virgin group of companies' founder, Sir Richard Branson, onboard for his first flight as a crewmember on the Virgin Galactic aircraft. The second, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft, landed after an awe-inspiring demonstration flight. The flight-test equipped A380 stretched overhead with a 261 foot wing span and showcased its capability and agility.

Both the Airbus A380 and VMS Eve will remain on static display in AeroShell Square for the remainder of the week. The Airbus A380 will also be open for public tours on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and again on Friday from 9 a.m.-12 noon. The tours will include information about the construction and performance of this flight-test model.

Tuesday's air show also highlighted aerobatic tricks and skydiving. The AeroShell and Liberty Parachute teams performed alongside aerobatic performers Chuck Aaron, Matt Younkin and John Klatt. Today, as well as other times during the week, the air show included an expanded Warbirds demonstration. A collection of Warbirds, not seen together in many years, has gathered at AirVenture. The extensive list of Warbirds includes P-51, F4U Corsair, MK 5 Spitfire, an F-16, and a Hellcat, and other legendary military aircraft. These will be featured twice daily at Warbirds in Review at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., located near the Warbirds Café and the EAA Ford Tri-Motor area. Wednesday's air show will specifically show a T-28 celebration and wing walking acts by Dave Dacy and Tony Kazian. The helitanker, the Erickson Air-Crane used for rescue and firefighting missions, will fly again.

Tomorrow will also bring Harrison Ford, longtime EAA supporter and Young Eagles chairman, to the Fly-In Theater. He will introduce Six Days Seven Nights.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2009 on July 27 - August 2 is "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket purchase, is available through the World Wide Web 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.

TOMORROW HIGHLIGHTS:

* Airbus A380 will also be open for public tours on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and again on Friday from 9 a.m.-12 noon

* Autograph Session - Meet legendary air show pilots Michael Gouilan and Bill Brennand, Goodyear Booth B2131, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

* Afternoon air show, including Warbirds, 3:30 p.m.

* Showcase flying (approx. 2 p.m.): Erickson Skycrane, Piper Jet

* Fly-In Theater, Six Days Seven Nights introduced by Harrison Ford, 8:30 p.m.

* Theater in the Woods, Concorde Reunion evening program, 8 p.m.