Goodyear GZ20-Era Blimp Gondola to the EAA Museum

On opening day of the 2025 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh show, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) announced that it will donate its last-remaining blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum as part of a new children’s exhibit.

The gondola frame is from Goodyear’s GZ20 model era of blimps that spanned nearly 40 years. In that time period, as one blimp retired, its gondola was often refurbished for a new blimp. The gondola frame being donated to the EAA Museum was previously used on the Europa, Goodyear’s Blimp that flew throughout Europe in the 1980s, and on the Florida-based Stars and Stripes in the early 2000s. This tradition ended in 2011 when Goodyear began the transition to the New Technology (NT) semi-rigid airship platform that remains in place for its fleet of airships still today.

As part of this year’s celebration of the Goodyear Blimp’s 100^th anniversary, this gesture marks another way for Goodyear to preserve the history of its airships program and carry the legacy of the Goodyear Blimp forward for future generations.

“As we celebrate our blimp program’s 100th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts,” said Michael Dougherty, Goodyear’s Chief Pilot. “We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future.”

“Goodyear’s Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum’s mission to tell the story of flight,” said Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager. “Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams.”

Limited-Edition Keepsake Item Gives Fans a Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance to Own a Piece of the Goodyear Blimp Along with the gondola donation, Goodyear is also offering fans the unique chance to take home a piece of the Goodyear Blimp. The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake item includes a genuine piece of envelope that flew with the Spirit of Goodyear blimp across North America from 2000 to 2014, wrapped in a commemorative 100^th anniversary box. Christened by NASA Astronaut and the first American woman in space Sally Ride in March of 2000, the Spirit of Goodyear went on to become one of Goodyear’s most decorated blimps. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuously operated airship, and it was the first blimp to provide aerial TV coverage of a sporting event in high definition. When the Spirit of Goodyear retired in 2014, Goodyear donated its gondola to the Crawford Aviation Museum in Cleveland but retained its envelope, which is now a piece of this limited-edition keepsake item.

The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake item is now available for purchase while supplies last by visiting the Goodyear Fan Store: Goodyear | Blimp Keepsake Box. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the EAA Museum to contribute to the children’s museum build.

Goodyear’s 2025 Presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh This year, Goodyear Aviation will, once again, be located at booth (#489), where the latest aviation tires and technology will be on display. Additionally, as part of the Goodyear Blimp’s centennial celebrations, Goodyear is sending two blimps to Oshkosh for the first time. Wingfoot One, with its vintage wrap inspired by the very first branded Goodyear Blimp Pilgrim, will participate in daytime airshows throughout the week, and Wingfoot Two, with its LED sign, will participate in nighttime airshows. Fans can follow along @Goodyear and @GoodyearBlimp on social media for updates throughout the week.