EAA’s leadership in the warbirds community was evident at last week’s National Warbird Operator Conference (NWOC) in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Both EAA and Warbirds of America were well-represented at the three-day session, which covered a wide variety of topics important to owners and operators of those aircraft.
Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety, led the conference’s opening session on February 9 with an update on government advocacy issues. He was joined midway through the presentation via video link by U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), a Warbirds of America board member, for further details on the Washington scene.
Sean also led a breakout working session later that day on the Living History Flight Exemption, an FAA provision that allows unique flight experiences in warbirds. He noted that well-attended session included FAA representatives, with some important clarifications made for warbird operators. Sean was also called on stage to join FAA representatives during their February 10 general session as they outlined efforts to keep warbirds flying.
Chris Henry’s popular B-17 presentation about EAA’s Aluminum Overcast was the featured lunch event on February 10, as it highlighted the WWII vets who flew aboard the airplane in recent years. Nora Leigh of the Warbirds of America office joined WOA board members throughout the weekend to support that’s division’s members attending NWOC.
