Cirrus Design’s new SRS serial number 1 was the big item auctioned off Thursday. Photo by Chris Miller

Over the years, EAA’s annual Gathering of Eagles has become a festive gala event that brings together major supporters of EAA’s youth initiatives. Thursday night’s event in the AirVenture Museum’s Eagle Hangar exceeded expectations with more than 1,000 people—corporations and individuals—attending with one common goal: to energize the foundation of aviation—our youth.

EAA Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford, who is in Hawaii filming the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones movie series, provided a video greeting saying he was sorry he couldn’t attend this year. The actor challenged participants to "bid early and bid often." Among the all-star attendees were former Young Eagles Chairmen Cliff Robertson and Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, as well as astronauts Gene Cernan and Jim Lovell.

There were hundreds of silent auction items, and 20 major items that were auctioned live. This year’s surprise item, announced by Cirrus Design Corp. earlier this week, was their donation to EAA of serial no. 1 of the new Cirrus SRS light-sport aircraft. Cirrus gave EAA the plane in support of youth initiatives.

The winning bidder was Hal Shevers, president and CEO of Sporty’s Pilot Shop. Hal will also get two hours of dual instruction with aerobatic legend Patty Wagstaff. "I’m really looking forward to the two hours of dual instruction with Patty," Shevers said. "And there will be no aerobatics!"

Shevers bought a Cessna SkyCatcher earlier in the week for his wife, Sandy. He said he hopes Sandy and Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna CEO Jack "will one day fly formation together over Sporty’s Pilot Shop." Jack Pelton volunteers as Gathering chairman.

One of the more interesting activities of the night involved performance artist Michael Ostaski of Art Explosion. He created three paintings on stage to hard-driving music in less than 7 minutes each. The art was then sold in the auction.

Another live auction item was a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the Boeing factory where the 787 Dreamliners are under construction, with President and CEO W. James McNerney Jr.

"It was an extremely exciting evening, with lots of people looking for ways to support our initiatives that are aimed at encouraging the future of aviation," said Steve Buss, EAA Young Eagles director and emcee for the evening. "This outpouring of support is just incredible, and we’re very grateful."

Funds raised at the Gathering totaled a record $1.47 million.