Keynote speaker Burt Rutan and EAA Founder Paul Poberezny share a moment at the annual First Wing diner Tuesday evening. Photo by Steve Schulte

Erik Lindbergh speaks to EAA Lifetime and First Wing members Tuesday evening. Photo by Steve Schulte

EAA held its annual induction ceremony Tuesday evening for The First Wing, a special group of members who have made a substantial commitment to the future by building a legacy through EAA’s endowment program. Held in the EAA AirVenture Museum ’s Eagle Hangar, the ceremony was one of the highlights of the First Wing and Lifetime Member Dinner, which featured legendary aviation pioneer and longtime EAA member Burt Rutan as the keynote speaker.

Elissa Lines, EAA’s vice president of commercial and donor relations, observed, “EAA is committed to building a strong endowment to protect the future, ensuring that programs, services, and activities that are key to the organizational mission are sustained. Through contributions and pledged commitments to The First Wing, the generosity of these very special members and friends will impact the lives and experiences of generations to come. This is what EAA does best—passing on the passion, the joy, and the personal freedom of flight.”

Inducted into The First Wing were Carl and Pat Beatrice, Carol Carson, Diane Carson, Jim Dricken, Richard and Gayle Finch, Dave Lau, Ronald K. Lohr, Claus and Susan Mahler, David and Jan McRoberts, and Bonnie Reitz.

EAA’s endowment fund supports a variety of educational initiatives including the EAA AirVenture Museum ; youth education; aircraft acquisition, maintenance, and restoration; and the EAA Boeing Aeronautical Library and accompanying archives.