The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has confirmed the Air Legends Foundation of San Antonio, Texas will bring its Lockheed C-121A Constellation to AirVenture this year, reprising a 2023 visit. The 72nd running of the AirVenture event will take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconisin, July 21-27. The “Connie,” wearing military livery, will be on display at Boeing Plaza.
I was six years old when I saw the beautiful Connie at the Düsseldorf airport as a very young boy 5-6 years old perhaps. Although it was post war Germany and the remnants of the war still very evident, this encounter lit my fire and I pursued aviation with a vengeance. My eventual path in aviation led to retiring from UAL as a 767 captain. That plane holds a very special place in my heart.
Similar to Hans, at the age of 5 years, upon stepping down from a stairway onto a ramp in Los Angeles, an elderly lady passenger placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “sonny, look back at the three tails of this airplane. You just rode on a Super G Constellation. Don’t you ever forget it!” I never will forget the experience and still get goose bumps on the back of my neck when I think about it. This moment in my life also played a role in my aviation career, not retiring from a 767 but from a GIV SP.