Vintage Aircraft Association to Celebrate 80 Years of General Aviation

Enthusiast organization plans to salute classic aircraft year-round in 2026, with special programming planned for Oshkosh.

Caleb Revill

Wednesday, September 03, 2025 at 05:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Dubbed the ‘Class of ’46,’ tens of thousands of aircraft were introduced worldwide following the end of World War II. [Courtesy: Vintage Aircraft Association]

Key Takeaways:

The Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) will host a year-long celebration culminating in an aircraft showcase at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 to mark 80 years of postwar general aviation.
The celebration, dubbed the “Class of ’46,” will honor the tens of thousands of aircraft introduced post-WWII, specifically over 30,000 built in 1946 like the Cessna 120/140 and Stinson 108.
The VAA emphasizes that the event is about the people, innovation, and spirit of 1946 that made general aviation accessible to everyday Americans.
The year-round event will feature participation from dedicated type clubs, forums, presentations, and historical content in *Vintage Airplane* magazine and VAA digital channels.

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The Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) is set to honor 80 years of postwar general aviation next year with a year-long celebration and aircraft showcase at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.

Headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the VAA is inviting its dedicated type clubs across the country to participate in iconic aircraft exhibits, forums, and presentations about the legendary designs that helped shape modern aviation.