NEENAH MAN RECOGNIZED FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO EAA
Ken Kellner is 20-year Pioneer Airport pilot who has flown nearly 2,700 Young Eagles
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 20, 2018) — Ken Kellner of Neenah, Wisconsin, was recognized on November 8 for his contributions and volunteer service to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as he received the Henry Kimberly Spirit of Leadership Award during the EAA Halls of Fame banquet at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh.
The award is named for the late Henry Kimberly, a longtime Oshkosh civic leader who was instrumental in building community support for EAA when the fly-in arrived in Oshkosh in 1970, and later in the move of EAA headquarters to Oshkosh in the early 1980s.
Kellner was recognized for 20 years of volunteer service as a pilot at Pioneer Airport, the EAA Aviation Museum’s re-creation of a 1920s-style aerodrome that operates from May to October each year. He has flown more than 3,200 flights at Pioneer Airport in aircraft ranging from modern homebuilt aircraft to vintage biplanes from the 1920s. During that time, Kellner has also introduced nearly 2,700 young people to aviation through the Young Eagles program, which provides introductory flights to those youth age 8-17. The Young Eagles program is the world’s largest youth aviation education program, with EAA-member volunteer pilots having flown more than 2.1 million young people since 1992.
Kellner, who is an EAA lifetime member, has also volunteered during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention as a member of the flight line operations team and as a safety pilot on EAA photo missions.
“Ken Kellner is a magnificent representation of our dedicated EAA volunteers,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety, who leads the organization’s flight operations team. “He has a passion for aviation and the ability to share that enthusiasm with those of all ages who fly with him.”
Along with announcing the Henry Kimberly Award that recognizes Oshkosh-area volunteers, the November 8 program inducted five aviators into the EAA Halls of Fame. They included aviation enthusiasts from diverse aircraft areas that encompass homebuilt, vintage, warbird, ultralight, and aerobatic aircraft.
About EAA
EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 219,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.
