Photo by Jim Labre Donald Goed asks a question of Volunteer John Banhagel at the EAA Welcome Center.

The EAA Welcome Center is on the northeast corner and provides a variety of EAA membership services, plus it also serves as a resource to all AirVenture attendees looking to learn more about EAA and AirVenture. Just think of the Welcome Center as the “help desk” to The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

The Welcome Center also features unique aviation attractions, including the Carter PAV, a four-place personal air vehicle prototype that uses a rotor for takeoff and landing and a small, efficient wing for high-speed flight. The world’s smallest twin-engine homebuilt, the Cricri, will also be on display in front of a full-size drawing of one of four Engine Alliance GP7270 engines that power the world’s largest passenger airliner, the Airbus A380. The two aircraft have a unique connection that dates back to 1981, so stop by and learn what it is at the Welcome Center.

Meet veterans who flew B-17s in World War II and listen to them recount their experiences at the B-17 booth. Visitors can “Stand Up for GA,” and the same freedoms those veterans fought for, in the Government Advocacy area by signing the wall with others who want to protect the rights, privileges, and freedom to fly.

Oshkosh365, EAA’s new online community, is up and running, and staff is on hand at the Welcome Center to answer all your questions about it. Sign up and receive a free gift. The Internet Café is also back, providing a convenient, sun-free place for EAA members to check e-mail, surf the net, or research a new aviation gadget. Members and non-members can also sign up for complimentary EAA e-newsletters that target every aviation interest.

Women pilots are invited to sign the WomenVenture logbook and if you were in last year’s photo on AeroShell Square, come over and sign the poster that’s on display. Free WomenVenture T-shirts (lavender this year) will be available at the Welcome Center to all women pilots to wear at this year’s photo shoot, scheduled on AeroShell Square Friday at 10:30 a.m. Be a part of what is becoming the world’s largest gathering of women pilots!

Attendees can also sign up for the Young Eagles Golf Classic, Friday, July 31; register for the Runway 5K, Saturday August 1; purchase tickets for the Young Eagles Raffle; and enter Welcome to EAA Member Square By Kristy Hemp the Share the Spirit Sweepstakes. Information will be available for Sporty’s and EAA’s Next Step program that offers a free Online Complete Flight Training Course to Young Eagles. Visitors can also discover opportunities to participate in the future of aviation through EAA’s many development and fundraising programs.

EAA has completed phase one of the multiyear site enhancement plan. AirVenture attendees can view a listing of the enhancements along with photos, and they are invited to comment on the changes at the Welcome Center.

Visitors can ask questions about the many benefits included with an EAA membership, and representatives from Ford Motor Company, John Deere, AeroPlanner, Hertz rental car, the EAA credit card program, and EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan administered by Falcon Insurance Agency will be present. EAAers who put their membership on AutoPilot will save 10 percent.

Learn to Fly Discovery Center
Interested in learning to fly? You have to visit the NAFI/EAA Learn to Fly Discovery Center, located on the southeast corner of EAA Member Square. The center is provided by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and EAA and is supported by REMOS Aircraft. Visitors can ask flight instructors questions and talk with REMOS representatives about REMOS Pilot Centers while they look at a REMOS aircraft or operate the REMOS flight simulator.

Visitors will also have a chance to speak with AOPA representatives who will provide information at their Let’s Go Flying and AOPA Flight Training booth.

The Learn to Fly Discovery Center forum area features a full slate of programs throughout the week, headlined by special guest Rod Machado on Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. Machado will offer guidance to flight -seeking visitors in his humorous style you won’t want to miss.

Once again EAA members can obtain FAA-authorized student pilot certificates free of charge to use toward pilot training. In previous years, hundreds of these certificates have been issued.

PilotJourney.com will offer its services to visitors seeking a flighttraining provider where they live. You can also purchase a first-flight certificate at its booth to take home and go for a first flight lesson.

Redbird Flight Simulations will have a full motion Redbird FMX simulator, allowing visitors to experience “flying” a variety of aircraft for free.

Many partners in the tent will also offer giveaways and daily drawings throughout the week, so be sure to sign up to win great prizes.

NAFI, EAA, REMOS, and all Learn to Fly Discovery Center participants are excited at what’s being offered visitors during their visit to AirVenture. It’s a must-see highlight of your Oshkosh visit.

EAA Sweepstakes Building
Inside the Sweepstakes building, attendees can register for the Share the Spirit Sweepstakes and view the prizes to be given away, including the grand prize Flight Design MC, which also includes a $10,000 fuel credit card and 50,000 FlyBuys rewards points from Chevron. A ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at 9:15 a.m. in the Sweepstakes building to present the 2010 prizes, including the grand prize Aviat Husky A-1C.

EAA Merchandise Tent
Squaring off the EAA Member Square on the northwest corner is an official EAA Merchandise Tent, which has the largest variety of EAA merchandise. There is a limited selection of B-17 merchandise, Hawaiian clothing, and the staples—EAA and AirVenture merchandise.