The Experimental Aircraft Assn.'s (EAA) 2008 AirVenture event was packed with attendees the week of July 28-Aug. 3. Despite higher fuel costs and economic concerns, organizers estimate that 540,000 people participated in the annual "fly-in" held in Oshkosh, Wis. As has been the case each year in recent memory, the event was again a forum for several important announcements and introductions related to the composites industry. First, on July 31, AAI Acquisition Inc. (AAIA, Englewood, Colo.), a U.S. company and the successor to the former Adam Aircraft Industries, announced at an EAA press event that significant steps have been made toward resumption of operations. Key to the comeback is the naming of veteran aviation executive Jack Braly as the new president and CEO. AAIA purchased the assets and intellectual property of the former Adam Aircraft in April this year, after Adam Aircraft declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February. AAIA also announced that it has completed its business organization process and will focus on EAA certification of its A700 very light jet (VLJ) from its headquarters at Centennial Airport in Englewood. Certification for the plane now is projected for early 2010.
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