There was a lot to celebrate at this year’s EAA AirVenture. The event made headlines, voted as USA Today’s Best Air Show, the Mayor of Oshkosh declared July General Aviation Appreciation Month and the 2 millionth Young Eagle took flight. Even with some rain falling during the week, the event yet again broke attendance records with approximately 563,000 aviation enthusiasts descending on Oshkosh. Phillips 66® Aviation was there to experience all of the excitement first hand, and contribute some positive aviation experiences of our own.
Phillips 66 welcomed hundreds of visitors to our tent. Some stopped by to purchase special show-priced cases of Phillips 66 Aviation Lubricants. Others took a short pilot’s survey and were entered into a daily drawing to win Phillips 66 Aviation WingPoints® Rewards Cards preloaded with 20,000 points ($25.00). One lucky recipient took home this year’s grand prize, an A2A flight simulator valued at $3,500. Additional giveaways included branded collapsible fans, recycle bags and T-shirts.
The Aerostars Aerobatic team held meet and greets from 11:00 a.m. to noon, signing autographs for fans young and old. Crowds also gathered around 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to snag a free popsicle during the popular sweet-treat happy hour.
At the EAA Young Eagles banquet held on Wednesday evening, Kim Ruth, Director, Programs Development, General Aviation presented John Mininger with the Phillips 66 Aviation 2016 Leadership Award. The honor is given annually to an EAA Young Eagles volunteer who goes above and beyond for the program. Mininger has been an active participant with the EAA Young Eagles for the past 22 years, and has served as the EAA Young Eagles flight coordinator for Quakertown Airport (KUKT) for the past 10 years.
As a token of Phillips 66 Aviation’s appreciation for pilots who volunteer for the EAA Young Eagles program, three lucky pilots were awarded rides with the Aerostars. Two members of the Aerostars team made the announcements at the banquet.
Mark your calendars – next year will commemorate EAA’s 65th annual fly-in convention, and Phillips 66 Aviation will be there to celebrate the milestone anniversary.