Experimental Aircraft Association Hits Road With Mobile Trailer

An association dedicated to highlighting the latest and greatest trends in flight is taking its industry’s latest innovations on the road.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is gearing up for the second year of its “Spirit of Aviation” mobile unit, a trailer that travels around the country to highlight the state of experimental aviation, create immersive experiences for visitors (the trailer includes virtual reality-headsets and flight simulators), and attract new members to the organization.

The campaign, also supported by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, shows up at a number of air shows but is not limited to aviation-focused events. Both this year and last year, the mobile unit showed up at South by Southwest  (opens in a new tab), and it’s making its way to the popular Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee in late June. This weekend, the 53-foot mobile trailer will also appear at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, taking place in Washington, DC.

EAA Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Dave Chaimson said that the group found success with the trailer last year.

“During our inaugural year in 2017, the Spirit of Aviation brought our passion for flight and our mission of growing participation in aviation to tens of thousands of people in a fun, engaging way,” Chaimson said in a news release  (opens in a new tab).

EAA isn’t afraid to try interesting marketing approaches to drum up interest in flight. Last year, it introduced its own mascot—a Stan Lee-inspired superhero called Aviore  (opens in a new tab) who promotes the association’s Young Eagles program. The character receives support from the iconic comic artist’s namesake foundation. Lee even introduced the character, intended to encourage young people to pursue aviation, last year at its EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin  (opens in a new tab).

(Handout photo)