AirVenture 2018: Flying Machines And People Who Love Them

It's better known as "Oshkosh" to aviation enthusiasts and every one of them has the event on the bucket list for very good reasons. Imagine a fly-in attracting 7500 airplanes, 2500 aircraft exhibits, 800 commercial exhibitors, daily world-class airshows, and 500,000 attendee who are "plane" crazy. What organizers call "the world's greatest aviation celebration" kicked off it's sixty-sixth version on Monday. The event reached its midpoint today and will conclude on Sunday afternoon. This map gives readers an idea of the scope of Oshkosh and indicates why the event turns a rather sleepy Wittman Field into the busiest airport in the world for one week each year. For scale the runway at the top of the image measures 8000 feet.

I had the privilege of working in the Federal Pavilion at five AirVentures beginning in 1999. Some may interpret that as overkill, but each one left me thrilled at the thought of returning for another event. And you may ask why the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service would send a dozen or so employees and volunteers to work an airplane show. First, the agency has around forty out of 400 units with a significant link to an aviation theme. In addition, the Service maintains a fleet of fixed and rotary wing aircraft contributing over 20,000 hours of flight time annually in support of park operations, maintenance, and resource management. Add to that the interagency cooperation - including the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service - as well as airspace regulation over the parks and I think you can see the point. Regardless, it's a grand and demanding opportunity to distribute information and talk face-to-face with thousands of guests. 

Nothing can replace being at Oshkosh mixing with almost 20,000 folks who fly into the convention, thousands of exhibitor/participants, and all the visitors. Fortunately, if you can't attend, the EAA maintains a comprehensive up to the second website where you can spend hours reading, watching and listening to the day's/week's events. Facebook friends should be on the lookout for live broadcasts as well.

I've been looking up at the sound of an aircraft engine ever since I could lift my head.  If you are blessed with the same response make your plans to attend an Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture. You will not be disappointed.  Until then "wheels up" every chance you get!