EAA AirVenture updates - legendary aircraft designer returns, B-29 Doc joins performers

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest annual fly-in in the world, is taking place this July and prospective attendees already have plenty to look forward to. The EAA has shared some of the performers and features returning to the show this year, including fan-favorite aircraft and returning aviation legends. On Thursday the EAA shared that legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan would be returning to Oshkosh this year, with appearances and forums. Rutan has decades of experience in designing innovative aircraft, achieving notable awards such as Entrepreneur of the Year, the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the Charles A. Lindbergh Award, two Collier Trophies, the EAA Freedom of Flight Award and he is included in Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, according to his website. Rutan has been a lifetime EAA member for over 50 years and hit the scene at Oshkosh in 1972 with the VariViggen, bringing canard design to the homebuilt community. His presence at the 2024 show will coincide with the 50th anniversary of his VariEze canard aircraft design. "Burt is best known to the public for his historic designs of SpaceShipOne, Voyager, and GlobalFlyer, but for EAA members and aviation aficionados, his unique concepts began more than a half-century ago with fiberglass canard aircraft that revolutionized the amateur-built airplane community," said Rick Larsen, EAA VP of communities and member programs. "Every time Burt joins us at Oshkosh, his presentations draw big audiences eager to hear his unique perspectives on flight." Rutan's success in 1972 led to a series of other Rutan recreational aircraft designs with innovative moldless fiberglass construction, including the VariEZ and Long-EZ, which are still being built today. He achieved public recognition in the 1980s with the design of the Voyager, which became the first aircraft to fly around the world non-stop with a single tank of fuel in December 1986. This record was surpassed with a similar solo flight by Rutan's GlobalFlyer in 2005. His legacy continued with the successful flight of the SpaceShipOne in 2004, completing the first successful civilian space flight program and earning Rutan the $10 million X Prize.Photo of the Voyager from Burt Rutan's website His designs have included the Proteus, an affordable U-2 aircraft and the asymmetrical twin-engine Boomerang, among others. These innovative designs come from Rutan's Scaled Composites in Mojave, California and is considered the most aggressive aerospace research company in the world. Rutan's company has developed and tested many groundbreaking projects over the years, from military aircraft to executive jets. Rutan retired on March 31, 2011 and his website said his only current job is lecturing. His exact schedule at AirVenture will be announced as it is finalized. The EAA said it is also working with the Rutan Aircraft Flying Experience group, which preserved many of his aircraft designs, regarding the aircraft to be displayed at Oshkosh. Along with the incredible Rutan's return, the EAA shared Thursday that the B-29 Doc would be returning to perform. The B-29 Doc is one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita during WWII and one of only two B-29 bombers that are airworthy and still flying today. Doc will host the B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides July 22-25 and will be a featured performer at shows during the week. The warbird will be on static display for ground and cockpit tours on Boeing Plaza on Friday and Saturday, July 26-27. "Doc has been a regular participant at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh over the past decade and its presence is always well-received from our members and visitors," Larsen said. "Seeing the B-29 fly and seeing it up close on display is a highlight for many aviation enthusiasts who come to Oshkosh." The historic plane will be operating the B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides from July 22 to 25 in Appleton, Wisconsin. The tickets for the B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides during the week are on sale now here. Tickets will also be available at the Bomber Shack in Warbird Alley on the EAA show grounds during AirVenture. This year will be the fifth time Doc has been a part of EAA AirVenture. "Joining the EAA AirVenture performer line-up is a top highlight of our tour season each year," said Donnie Obreiter, B-29 Doc director of maintenance andamp; chief flight engineer. "Bringing Doc to Oshkosh allows thousands of people a unique opportunity to experience history up close and personal. Operating such a historically significant machine to honor the Greatest Generation is core to our mission and it's something in which our entire team takes great pride in executing."RELATED STORIES:Drones to light up night airshow at AirVenture 2024Top performers committing to EAA AirVenture 2024 air showsElvis jet powers on, heads to AirVenture as an RVIn February the EAA announced that the Starlight Aerial Productions will be producing and performing a drone-driven light display with as many as 500 drones as part of AirVenture's night airshows on July 24 and 27. The week will also include some of the top air show performers in the world, including aerobatic champions and longtime favorites.