E3 Aviation Association launches

The new title sponsor for the 2023 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo made some news of its own during the show, introducing its newest association: The E3 Aviation Association.

With more than 2.7 million subscribers, the E3 Association is a for-profit umbrella organization with membership groups in several areas of interest, such as firearms, camping, off-road, and now aviation.

According to E3 Association CEO Brian Johnson, the three Es stand for empower, educate, and entertain.

He noted that the new aviation association is “a community of aviators connected by our love of aviation.”

“We are a platform to support and mentor one another,” he continued. “We don’t have a forum like others, none of that toxic back and forth. We connect people to get answers.”

The E3 media production team used state-of-the-art equipment to record presentations and interviews for their podcast during SUN ‘n FUN 2023. (Photo by Joni M. Fisher)

Connecting to other aviators was one reason E3 decided to become a SUN ’n FUN sponsor, he noted.

“We saw what SUN ‘n FUN was doing to promote aviation through its Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) program, so we decided to work with them,” Johnson said, noting that a portion of each member’s fees go to support organizations such as ACE, as well as veterans organizations, like Team Rubicon.

In its air-conditioned tent called the E3 Chalet on the SUN ’n FUN flight line, Johnson introduced ambassadors of the new association during the show, including Tyler “Feed” Davies, a former Blue Angels pilot, John “Rain” Waters, E3 Aviation founder and a former F-16 combat fighter pilot, John “Slick” Baum, E3 vice president and an F-16 TopGun instructor, Ryan Farran, a missionary bush pilot, air show performer Michael Goulian, Kristen “Beo” Wolfe, an F-35 demo pilot, and Mel Williams, a mechanic at Delta Airlines and CFII.

These ambassadors create online content, including podcasts and instructional recordings, guide members through forums, and help members connect.

According to Goulian, he became involved with the E3 Aviation Association to support “anything that helps aviators connect through social media and in person to grow more involved in aviation and speak the same language.”

Mel Williams, Mike Goulian, and John “Rain” Waters discuss their beginnings in aviation and how their careers have evolved. (Photo by Joni M. Fisher)

Growth was also mentioned by Mel Williams, who said he wants to help “grow the aviation space and bring more people into it — pilots, mechanics, everyone.”

During the show, the ambassadors also took questions from the SUN ’n FUN crowd. One young boy asked if anyone had ever had an engine failure.

Tyler “Feed” Davies laughed and said, “12 times. They were caused by different things, but you learn from each one.”

New members chat with Tyler “Feed” Davies in the E3 Aviation Association chalet during SUN ‘n FUN. (Photo by Joni M. Fisher)

During SUN ‘n FUN, members from other E3 associations were invited to the E3 Aviation Association tent on the flight line for meet-and-greets, presentations, and to watch the afternoon air shows.

A three-tier membership fee grants access to online content, a member’s magazine, an app, in-person events, and more. Launch pricing starts at $14.95 a month for a standard membership, $24.95 for a premium membership, and $49.95 for a VIP membership.

Members of one association get a 50% discount to join another E3 interest group, officials noted.

“We have more associations coming up in other sports and activities,” Johnson said. “In each group, we create a community of subject matter experts, developers, trainers, researchers, and explorers. Personal development is the extra we offer to improve life for our members.”

Based in Miami, the E3 Association is developing additional associations centered around fishing, golfing, rodeo, boating, military, biking, police, hunting, archery, equestrian, fitness, tennis, motorsports, sailing, veterans, bow, and cowboy.

The E3 Association also hosts an annual conference, as well as regional events, that includes all the member groups.