By Angela Satterlee
Barry, EAA Lifetime 151119, and Erwin Jay, EAA 139663, were back for another year at AirVenture! 2024 officially marked the 30th anniversary of the duo attending Oshkosh together. And this year they were very excited to have their own private meet-and-greet with EAA CEO and Chairman Jack J. Pelton.
Erwin began attending Oshkosh back in 1976 right after acquiring his instrument rating, flying his A36 Beechcraft Bonanza to the grounds. It wasn’t until 1994 that Barry was convinced to attend the event with his dad, but now the two of them look forward to what Erwin calls “the best week ever.”
Barry has been an aviation enthusiast ever since he started building model airplanes with his dad when he was seven years old. “During the week after (my) homework was done, we used to go build model airplanes in the basement and then go out on the weekend and fly them,” he said.
Aviation has always been a pivotal aspect of Barry and Erwin’s lives, and when Barry moved to L.A. for college, the two later realized that they needed a way to reconnect more often. Since they started attending, Oshkosh has provided them with father and son quality time for a whole week each year where they can bond over being “aviation nuts.”
Despite being at AirVenture for many years together, Erwin hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Jack until now. Barry has known Jack for years, and nearly went to work for him at Cessna before deciding to work with the Toyota Aviation Business Development Office, where he was employed for 26 years.
Jack spent some time with the two reminiscing about coming to AirVenture with his dad, starting back in 1978. Erwin was glad to meet the CEO of the event he’s loved for so many years. “Every ship needs a captain,” he said. “I’m glad that Jack is still here, active, and guiding the ship and growing the organization,” Barry added.
The duo will continue to come to AirVenture as long as they can. “We drive each other crazy,” Barry said. “But at the end of the week I ask, ‘You want to do it again next year?’ and the answer is always a resounding yes.”