EAA is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds. EAA was founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes. Through the decades, the organization expanded its mission to include antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters and contemporary manufactured aircraft. Every summer, EAA hosts AirVenture, better known to many as "Oshkosh" - the world's premier aviation event. More than 10,000 airplanes and hundreds of thousands of people come together for a week to celebrate the spirit of aviation!