As a youngster, Paul Howard Poberezny built model airplanes from scratch. By the time he was 16, he had restored a battered Waco glider and taught himself how to fly. He served in the United States Air Force during World War II and the Korean War, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. As an experienced aviator, Paul has amassed more than 30,000 flight hours in more than 400 different models of civil and military aircraft. Poberezny is best known as founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which has often been described as the world's most dynamic aviation organization. Founded in 1953 by Poberezny and a few friends, the EAA has grown tremendously and membership now exceeds 155,000, with 100 nations represented by more than 850 chapters. For more than 40 years he served as president of this association and originated one of the world's largest and most popular aviation events, the annual EAA International Flying Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In recent years this 7-day event has attracted over 800,000 persons and 12,000 aircraft. The organization focuses on virtually every aspect of general aviation, including home-built construction, restoration, history, education, and the pure joy of flying. Emphasis is also placed on youth education through a program called "The Young Eagles," which features actual flying experiences, aviation technical education, and a provision for scholarships. Under Poberezny's guidance, the EAA has contributed greatly to the vitalization and advancement of general aviation. In 2002, Paul Poberezny received the prestigious Wright Brothers Memorial trophy from the National Aeronautic Association.
Inducted in 1997.
Portrait Location: Modern Jet