EAA Warbirds of America

What EAA Warbirds of America does

EAA Warbirds of America is a membership-based nonprofit organization operating as a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a 501(c)(3) entity headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezny, the organization's stated mission is to promote and encourage the preservation and safe operation of ex-military aircraft, known as warbirds. It serves two primary customer segments: warbird owners and operators who need community, aircraft insurance, and regulatory representation, and general aviation enthusiasts interested in military aviation history. The organization provides benefits through local squadrons, publications, and major events including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun Fly-In.

The organization's core offerings center on tiered memberships priced at $45 to $93 annually, plus a $1,000 lifetime membership option, all of which include six issues of WARBIRDS magazine (print and digital), free EAA AirVenture Museum admission, and access to a specialized aircraft insurance program through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Additional products include a Warbirds Digital Magazine, an online merchandise store, an Aircraft Directory, aircraft judging programs, and live stream broadcasts of events via YouTube. There is no proprietary technology; the operating model is fundamentally community- and event-driven.

The business model is a recurring subscription-revenue nonprofit with three identified streams: subscription membership dues, one-time lifetime membership and merchandise sales. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with local squadrons providing grassroots engagement and major aviation events serving as the primary acquisition and engagement channels. The organization is governed by a board of directors and maintains relationships with the FAA and government officials to advocate for the regulatory interests of warbird operators.

Name

EAA Warbirds of America

Legal name

EAA Warbirds of America

Website

https://warbirds-eaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EAA Warbirds of America is a nonprofit division of the Experimental Aircraft Association that serves warbird owners, operators, and aviation enthusiasts through tiered memberships, local squadrons, publications, and major aviation events like EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oshkosh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to WARBIRDS magazine, local chapters, event participation, museum admission, and member benefits including aircraft insurance programs.
2. Lifetime Membership: One-time $1,000 lifetime membership fee with enhanced benefits including embroidered jacket, certificate, lapel pin, and website recognition.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling books, DVDs, apparel, metal signs, models, patches, and posters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EAA Warbirds of America is a membership-based nonprofit division of the Experimental Aircraft Association that promotes the preservation and safe operation of ex-military aircraft (warbirds). It sells tiered annual memberships ($45–$93) and a $1,000 lifetime membership, distributes a six-issue-per-year WARBIRDS Magazine in print and digital formats, supports local squadron chapters, and organizes signature programs such as Warbirds in Review at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun Fly-In. Members also gain access to an aircraft insurance program through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company and representation with the FAA on regulatory matters.

Product overview

EAA Warbirds of America is a membership-based organization focused on promoting and encouraging the preservation and safe operation of ex-military aircraft (warbirds). The organization offers a tiered membership program ($45-$93 annually) that includes access to local squadrons, six issues of WARBIRDS Magazine delivered both in print and digital formats, free admission to the EAA AirVenture Museum, aircraft insurance programs through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company, and representation with the FAA and government officials. Key programs include the Warbirds in Review series at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh featuring twice-daily presentations of historic aircraft, aircraft pre-registration and judging services, and an Aircraft Directory. The organization also operates a merchandise store and provides live stream broadcasts of events through YouTube.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warbirds of America Annual Membership Tiered annual membership program ($45 for existing EAA members, $57 for basic EAA + Warbirds, $93 for full Warbirds + EAA membership) providing access to local squadrons, EAA AirVenture and Sun 'n Fun fly-ins, free museum admission, AIRVenture Museum admission, and member benefits.
• WARBIRDS Magazine Six issues annually featuring stories about warbird aircraft, historical articles, news, and color photography, distributed to Warbirds members.
• Warbirds Digital Magazine Digital version of the WARBIRDS Magazine accessible to members through the online platform at warbirds.mydigitalpublication.com.
• Warbirds in Review Event Program Twice-daily presentations of historic military aircraft featuring veterans, aircraft owners, restorers, and historians sharing personal stories at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh World's greatest aviation celebration held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, featuring air shows, warbird displays, and educational programs.
• Sun 'n Fun Fly-In Major aviation fly-in event held in Lakeland, Florida with warbird participation and displays.
• Warbirds Lifetime Membership One-time $1,000 membership option requiring EAA Lifetime Membership in good standing, with exclusive benefits including embroidered jacket, lifetime member card, certificate, lapel pin, decals, and website listing.
• Warbirds Family Membership $10 add-on for family members when holding current EAA Family and Warbirds memberships, extending membership benefits to the entire family.
• Aircraft Directory Online directory of warbird aircraft listings accessible to members and the public.
• Aircraft Judging Program Aircraft judging at EAA AirVenture with categories covering authenticity, general appearance, fuselage, cockpit, gear, wings, engine, and depth of restoration totaling 100+ difficulty points.
• Aircraft Pre-Registration Online pre-registration system for warbird pilots planning to fly to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
• Warbirds Store Online store offering books, DVDs, apparel, metal signs, models, patches, posters, and more.
• Live Stream Broadcast Live streaming of Warbirds in Review presentations and archival videos available on YouTube.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• NASAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2026NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman speaking at Warbirds in Review presentation about his MiG-29 and F-5 aircraft, highlighting connection between historic and modern military aviation.
• 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin National GuardmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Featured participant in Warbirds in Review 2026, presenting modern military aircraft alongside historic warbirds to connect attendees with both past and present military aviation.
• The Flying BullsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Featured participant in Warbirds in Review 2026, presenting historic aircraft including Lockheed P-38 Lightning alongside modern military aircraft.
• American Heritage MuseummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Featured participant presenting Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina at Warbirds in Review 2026.
• AvisminorOthersPreferred car rental partner for EAA AirVenture attendees with discount programs available.
• BudgetminorOthersPreferred car rental partner for EAA AirVenture attendees with discount programs.
• EnterpriseminorOthersPreferred car rental partner for EAA AirVenture attendees.
• Basler Flight ServiceminorOthersProvides aircraft fueling services at Wittman Regional Airport during EAA AirVenture.
• U.S. Specialty Insurance CompanycoreOthersProvides comprehensive aircraft insurance program for warbird owners through participation in recognized safety programs, offering discounted premiums.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit of EAA Warbirds of America. Comparable as a broader aviation membership and event organization (AirVenture Oshkosh), but not a peer in the warbird-specific niche.
• National Aviation Hall of Fame: Honors aviation heritage and education in the U.S. Adjacent peer in aviation history preservation and educational programming, though not a flying organization.
• Air & Space Forces Association: A military aviation-focused membership organization with advocacy, events, and education. Thematically related through military aviation heritage, though focused on active service members and veterans rather than ex-military aircraft operation.

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): A large general aviation membership organization with advocacy, insurance, and member services. Broader incumbent operating adjacent to EAA Warbirds in aviation membership and regulatory advocacy.

Direct peers

• Collings Foundation: Operates a fleet of restored WWII aircraft and tours them nationwide through the Wings of Freedom Tour. Closely comparable in warbird preservation, public engagement, and air show-driven outreach.
• Commemorative Air Force (CAF): A national warbird preservation organization with units across the U.S. operating ex-military aircraft, hosting events, and running restoration programs. Most directly comparable peer to EAA Warbirds of America in mission, member structure, and event-driven engagement.
• Historic Flight Foundation: Restores and operates vintage military aircraft with a focus on preservation, public education, and event participation. Comparable in collection-based warbird operations and heritage-driven member engagement.
• Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation: Preserves and flies heritage military aircraft alongside modern Air Force aircraft in demonstration events. Comparable in combining warbird preservation with active military aviation partnerships.
• Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum: A warbird museum and restoration organization preserving and flying ex-military aircraft, with active air show participation. Comparable as a peer preservation organization with event-driven member activities.

Regional players

• The Flying Bulls: An Austrian-based operator of a renowned collection of historic warbirds. Featured as a strategic partner at Warbirds in Review 2026 and directly comparable in operating military-heritage aircraft, though geographically anchored in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EAA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@eaawarbirdsofamerica4074/streams
• Facebookfacebook.com/EAAWarbirds
• Instagraminstagram.com/eaawarbirds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EAA Warbirds of America