EAA Publications contributing writer James P. Busha will receive the 2007 Bax Seat Trophy tonight at a special ceremony in the EAA AirVenture Museum. The award, established in 1997, is presented by Flying Magazine in honor of that magazine’s columnist, Gordon Baxter, and is given annually to the EAA member who perpetuates Baxter’s tradition of communicating the excitement and romance of grass-roots aviation.

"Jim exemplifies the tradition of communicating the exhilaration of flight, along with valuable information that helps make us better pilots, or builders, and better people too," said Director of EAA Publications David Hipschman. "Not only is Jim an aviation writer, but he’s also a pilot, EAA volunteer, and an unbiased advocate and lover of aviation."

Busha was affected by aviation at a very early age. At 5 he used to sit on top of an old metal swing set and watch airplanes fly over his house on their approach to Wittman Field in his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

"I’ve been passionate about aviation for as long as I can remember, and that passion seems to burn brighter every day," he said. "I’m very humbled to receive this award. As a child my friends used to read comic books. Not me. I was looking for the next Gordon Baxter, Richard Bach, or Frank Kingston Smith aviation article."

Busha earned his private pilot certificate in 1987—around the same time he became a police officer for the Oshkosh Police Department, where he has held the rank of detective for the last 16 years. Combining his love of flying and his commitment to the community he protects and serves, Busha established the police department’s aviation unit in 1993. He flew a Quicksilver GT-500 for the next three years, promoting public safety and educating children enrolled in the D.A.R.E. program about the joys of "getting high in an airplane."

Busha began his writing career in 1999 after meeting a man named Sam Taber, owner of an aircraft restoration shop in Detroit. "Sam really pushed me to write," he said. "I ended up writing an article for Flight Journal, and things really snowballed from there. I got involved with EAA Sport Aviation in 2004 after (former editor-in-chief) Scott Spangler expressed interest in my writing. After Scott left the magazine, David Hipschman became my mentor. David has really helped me evolve as a writer. He taught me how to incorporate all of my senses into my writing."

In 2000, Busha became the custodian of a fully restored 1943 Aeronca L-3B. For him, the aircraft represents not only a lasting tribute to countless military aviators, but also a much simpler time in aviation. This is what Busha loves the most, flying in a non-complicated aircraft that transports the pilot back in time, even if for a brief moment. Busha’s intent with his writing is to cause each of us, whether pilot or non-pilot, to reflect on why we love aviation and are grateful for the gift of flight.

Busha is an avid student of history, especially World War II aviation. During the last 10 years Jim has interviewed more than 175 veteran combat pilots from across the globe, to help ensure their legacy is preserved for future generations.

He has also written articles for Air Combat, Aircraft Illustrated, FlyPast, EAA Warbirds, and EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazines. Busha also co-authored his first book, The High Battleground, with John Dibbs in the fall of 2006.