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Concorde at
AirVenture 1988 |
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Concorde at
AirVenture 1990 |
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Concorde at
AirVenture 1994 |
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Concorde at
AirVenture 1998 |
Nearly a quarter century ago, British Airways’
supersonic Concorde passenger jet made a historic landing at Wittman
Regional Airport in Oshkosh. That appearance, the first of five at Oshkosh
for Concorde, was a turning point for the aircraft and for EAA’s annual
fly-in convention.
The Concordes are now retired and no longer
flying, but the memories of those trips to Oshkosh are still vivid for
many people. At EAA AirVenture 2009 on July 27-August 2, those
recollections and stories will once again take center stage in “Concorde
Reunion” activities planned the fly-in, known as “The World’s
Greatest Aviation Celebration.” The event honors the 40th anniversary of
the prototype Concorde’s first flight over Europe in 1969.
“Concorde’s appearances at Oshkosh were
some of the most popular overall draws in the history of the EAA fly-in,”
said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman and president, as well as AirVenture
chairman. “It still gives me a thrill when I think of the first
announcement at London’s Heathrow Airport that asked passengers to board
British Airways’ Concorde for a direct flight to Oshkosh.
“Concorde’s visits changed the way EAA
members looked at their event and the way the aviation world looked at
Oshkosh. We’re looking forward to seeing old friends once again and
sharing stories about this magnificent airplane.”
Concorde made its first visit to Oshkosh in
1985, and returned to Wittman Regional Airport in 1988, 1990, 1994 and
1998. Hundreds of thousands of visitors got their first, and many times
only, close-up look at a supersonic passenger airliner. In addition,
hundreds of EAA fly-in attendees had the opportunity to fly in Concorde
during hour-long subsonic flights based from Oshkosh.
Among the already confirmed activities
during the Concorde Reunion at Oshkosh are:
- Daily forums on Concorde history and
operations;
- An evening program highlighting the
history of Concorde on Wednesday, July 29, at Theater in the Woods;
- Showings of the 1985 “Mach 2 to
Oshkosh” film, a first-person account by the late Bob Collins,
longtime EAA member and Chicago-area radio personality;
- A Concorde Reunion luncheon on
Wednesday, July 29, at the EAA Nature Center for flight crews involved
with the Oshkosh appearances, as well as those who flew on the flights
to Oshkosh or the local flights based at Oshkosh. More information can
be obtained or reservations made by contacting kphillip@eaa.org.
Additional activities and schedule
information will be released as it is finalized.
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