Up, Up and Away!

I had the distinct pleasure of doing a presentation on D.B. Cooper at the 2025 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the largest airshow in the world. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and thousands of airplanes are flown in. It was a week of interesting talks, exhibits, spectacular air shows, kids’ activities, job fairs, meetups, and, of course, lots of planes! There were blimp and helicopter rides (maybe next year) and there is a very cool museum on the property as well with lots of aviation memorabilia, vignettes and – more vintage airplanes.  It was simply an amazing and inspiring event. 

My talk on the infamous skyjacker drew a large crowd of all age groups. I had young kids as well as those old enough to recall the rash of highjacked planes in the 60’s and 70’s. The crowd’s many questions and ongoing interest, even almost 54 years later, confirms to me the case still captivates.  Many were intrigued by the potential for DNA testing. Groans were heard when a woman asked about fingerprints- there are only partials. I met two young people who said they did papers on Cooper in high school! I never had that much fun when I was a student.  Sadly, neither has solved the case. There were many queries on the Tena Bar ransom money find in 1980 – apparently that resonated! Oddly, there wasn’t a whole lot of speculation on the recent news stories about Cooper’s alleged parachute being found and the case closed – maybe no one thought the story plausible.  

The two most enduring aviation mysteries are the fate of Amelia Earhart and who was D.B. Cooper? I personally think most of us have determined the sad fate of Miss Earhart and her navigator. As far as Cooper? Maybe by next year at AirVenture, I will have figured it out! 

-Pat