Paul Howard Poberezny (b. September 14, 1921 in Leavenworth County/Kansas) is a US aviator and aircraft designer famous for his work in establishing the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1953 and promoting homebuilt aircraft.

The Acro Sport II homebuild biplane, designed by Paul Poberezny

[edit] EAA

He started the EAA out of his Hales Corners, Wisconsin home in 1953. He retired as president of the EAA in 1989. The organization now has approximately 170,000 members in more than 100 countries. Meanwhile, EAA's annual convention, known as EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, attracts a total attendance in excess of 500,000 people annually.

Paul's son Tom Poberezny has been the Chairman of the annual Experimental Aircraft Association annual Fly-In Convention since 1977, and president of EAA since 1989.

[edit] Military career

He served for 30 years in the United States Air Force, including active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He attained all seven aviation wings offered by the military: glider pilot, service pilot, rated pilot, liaison pilot, senior pilot, Army aviator and command pilot.

[edit] Aircraft experience

Poberezny has flown over 400 aircraft types, including over 170 home-built planes. Poberezny has logged more than 30,000 hours of flight time in his career.

[edit] Awards

In 1999 he was inducted to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, and is a recipient of the National Business Aviation Association's Award for Meritorious Service to Aviation (2001) and the Wright Memorial Award Trophy (2002).

[edit] External links

• Official EAA biography
• Complete Biography at National Aviation HOF (verified 3/2006)
• Biography at FirstFlight.org (verified 3/2006)
• Wright Award announcement (verified 3/2006)
• Biography at aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com (verified 3/2006)

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