OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – EAA AirVenture continues this week as the aviation celebration has reached 50 years in Oshkosh.
With so many activities and entertainment planned, it might seem a little overwhelming at times to try and see everything.
But if you haven’t yet, EAA wants you to check out some activities that are “out of this world.”
Their NASA Pavillion is a hub for space information and exhibits.
X-59 Test Pilot Nils Larson says it’s a perfect time to stop by and see what’s going on, since NASA has been so busy as of late.
“We’re going back to the moon,” says Larson. “It’s a real exciting time to be working for NASA.”
A popular question for him has been about the X-59 aircraft he tests and what specifically it does.
For lack of a better term, it goes fast.
“Right now, if you’re a civil aeronautics you can only go Mach-1,” explains Larson. “So, if you go flying on an airliner, you’re only going less than Mach-1.”
In his opinion, there’s room for improvement in that regard.
“We want to change that,” he explains. “We want to get you to your destination twice as fast.”
That’s where the science comes into play and NASA officials have to take a number of different components into consideration.
“We’re trying to make the boom, the sonic boom, that’s created when you go faster than Mach-1, we’re trying to make it more like a sonic thump,” he says.
All the space content is especially timely, considering the recent 50th-anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 mission.
For Larson, landing on the moon was a game-changer in his life.
“It’s always been something that has kind of shaped me and got me to where I am today,” explains Larson.
For those visiting the grounds on Friday, there will be a pair of special guest speaking that can provide first hand knowledge regarding the mission.
“This year we’re very honored to have command module pilot Michael Collins from the Apollo 11 mission,” explains Dick Knapinski, communications director with EAA AirVenture. “Also, Joe Engle, who participated as an astronaut in the Apollo program.”
As of now, the event is being planned to start around 7:30 p.m.
“Families can make it a complete day on that Friday, topped off by hearing by one of the people who actually flew on the Apollo 11 mission,” he says.
If you already plan on attending the celebration that day, grabbing a spot at this event won’t set you back anything extra, as well.
“It’s at our Theatre in the Woods, which is right on the grounds,” he explains. “This is included with AirVenture admission that day, so if you’re out here on the grounds on Friday, you’re certainly welcome to attend that.”
Collins started his career with NASA in 1963, before eventually leaving in 1970 to join the Smithsonian Institution for a decade.
Additional information on this event and the overall celebration can be found here.
