Vintage News

Cessna 170 Anniversary Merchandise Available Now!

Arrive in style at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 in one of our exclusive t-shirts highlighting the Vintage Aircraft Association’s 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Cessna 170! And of course, plan to stop by the Red Barn Store in person for even more great merchandise featuring all your favorite vintage aircraft! 

90 Years of General Aviation Powered by the Continental A-40 Engine

VAA member Mark W. Stewart shares a brief history of the Continental A-40 engine in an article you can read here!

OSH22 Vintage- Yesterday’s Best

The Vintage area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is where the early days of civil aviation come to life. Take a closer look at some of the lovingly maintained classics that were proudly displayed during AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. Head over to EAA’s YouTube Channel to check out “Yesterday’s Best- Vintage Aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022”! 

VAA In EAA’s Sport Aviation Magazine

Be sure to check out the December issue of EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine, which will feature some great vintage content! “Yesterday’s Best” highlights vintage aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. “A Lindbergh Legacy” tells the story of the Brunner-Winkle Bird that sat in front of the Vintage Red Barn during the event, and VAA members Dave and Jeanne Allen’s fleet of planes take center stage in “Dave and Jeanne Allen: Flying Into The Golden Age In Salient Style”. Digital Extras are also available at EAA.org/Extras and EAA.org/Videos. 

Forrest Lovley Welcomed as Vintage Aircraft Association Inductee at EAA’s Halls of Fame Ceremony

On Thursday, November 10th, five new members were welcomed into the EAA Halls of Fame during the annual induction dinner held in the Eagle Hangar. Among them was Vintage Aircraft Association inductee Forrest Lovley. 

Lovley has had a lifelong passion for vintage aviation, and among his award-winning restorations were an original Model-A Pietenpol Sky Scout with a Chevrolet Vega auto engine, which received Best Auto-Powered Homebuilt at the 1972 EAA Fly-In Convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Five years later, he restored the Kari-Keen Sioux Coupe, one of the only 32 Kari-Keen Sioux Coupes ever built, which won the event’s 1977 Grand Champion Antique award. In 1980, Forrest rebuilt the Wittman Big X, a one-of-a-kind build from 1945 by the legendary air racer and designer Steve Wittman. Along with his restoration skills, Lovley is renowned throughout the vintage aircraft community for his knowledge of aviation history, as well as aircraft types, engines, and more.

You can read more about Forrest in our VAA Hall of Fame section here.

2022 Vintage Volunteers of the Year

The Vintage Aircraft Association is proud to recognize two outstanding individuals as our 2022 Volunteers of the Year. Congratulations to Michael Surls, Flightline Volunteer of the Year, and Jim Brown, Behind the Scenes Volunteer of the Year. Both were honored at the VAA Fall Board Meeting that took place on Thursday, November 10th at the EAA Air Academy Lodge in Oshkosh.

You can read more about both Michael and Jim on our Volunteer of the Year page here.

The Best of Times by VAA
Director Emeritus Ronald Fritz

Vintage Aircraft Association Director Emeritus Ronald Fritz recently shared an account of his involvement with aviation, EAA, and the EAA Antique/Classic Division (now VAA). You can read his story here.

Did You Know?

The award-winning EAA YouTube Channel has a playlist dedicated exclusivly to vintage aircraft! At this time there are currently over 40 videos featuring interviews with airplane owners, great aerial footage, stories of restorations and more. You’ll also be able to re-live AirVenture at Vintage Village from years past. Be sure to check it out!