For one week each summer, the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is considered to be the busiest airport in the world. It becomes home to more than 2,500 showplanes, 800 commercial exhibitors and entertains more than 500,000 aviation aficionados.
This is all due to The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, known as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
What is EAA?
The Experimental Aircraft Association, known as EAA, is an organization made up individuals who share a passion for aviation. Collectively, they encourage and promote recreational flying.
Founded in 1953 by Paul H. Poberezny, members of EAA originally gathered to offer assistance to amateur aircraft builders. Their focus and purpose quickly pivoted to all aspects of recreational aviation, including safety.
Today, what once was a handful of aircraft and flight enthusiasts gathering on occasion at Timmerman (formerly Curtiss-Wright) Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has grown to an international organization with more than 200,000 members. Membership is open to anyone with a passion for aviation.
An Aviation Event Blossoms
In conjunction with the 1953 Milwaukee Air Pageant, EAA hosted its first Fly-In Convention at Timmerman Field with only a few homebuilt aircraft on display and less than 150 visitors. Each year the event grew in participation and audience. By 1959, the Fly-In needed more space and moved to Rockford Municipal Airport in Illinois.
While at Rockford, the EAA Fly-In Convention continued to develop and expand in both participation and attendance. Warbirds, vintage airplanes and aerobatic performers were added to the event. After 10 years in existence, the event once again had become too large for its allotted space.
After much research, a new home was found at the airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is at this same location that hundreds of thousands of spectators gather each year to get up close and personal with thousands of airplanes, making it one of the world’s premiere aviation events.
AirVenture 2021
EAA Fly-In Convention was renamed EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 1998. This year, July 26 – August 1 marks the full week that visitors will come from far and wide to experience this world-class aeronautical encounter.
Attendees can expect to see over 2,500 showplanes including homebuilt aircraft, vintage airplanes, warbirds, ultralights, seaplanes and aerobatic aircraft. In addition to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) aircraft which is scheduled to be present, an impressive assortment of military jets and helicopters will either be on display or participating in the daily air shows.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has something for everyone: aircraft displays, thrilling aerobatic demonstrations, exhilarating pyrotechnics, educational forums, hands-on workshops and more. As one pilot put it, “If aviation had a heart, Oshkosh would be the pulse.”
If your travels to Oshkosh bring you through Toledo, let Grand Aire put our experience to work for you. We are proud to operate the only 24/7/365 full-service FBO on the field at KTOL. In recognition of AirVenture 2021, Grand Aire is offering 40 cents off posted retail fuel rates, no parking fee, plus a Free swag gift for all aircraft travelling to or from KOSH. Visit us online or call us at 1-800-70-GRAND.
