EAA AirVenture–Oshkosh, Wisconsin July 22-28, 2024
First, a little history. AirVenture started 70 years ago, back in September 1953, the year Paul and Audrey Poberezny founded EAA. It was at Curtiss-Wright Airport in Milwaukee. That first year there were 21 aircraft on display and around 150 people in attendance. In 1956 it moved to Oshkosh (the first time) but then moved back to Milwaukee. By 1959 the event was too big, so it moved to Rockford, Illinois for the next 10 years. Once again, the event outgrew the venue, and in 1970 it moved permanently to Oshkosh. Many years later, in 1998, it was renamed EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Today, the event is attended by over 670,000 people from 92 countries around the world; there are now over 10,000 aircraft including 3,365 showplanes; and during the course of the weeklong event there are over 1,400 forums, workshops and presentations all spread out on over 1,500 acres. The annual fly-in provides an experience unlike anything else: seven straight days of world-class aerobatics, history coming alive through airplanes of all eras filling the sky, camaraderie with fellow aviation enthusiasts, and much more! And, not surprisingly, Wittman Regional–for that one week each year–becomes the world’s busiest airport!
Some of the world’s finest aerobatic performers are coming to Oshkosh for the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration at Wittman Regional Airport. Every year, many pilots make Oshkosh a priority for their performance schedule because they have the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of their peers in the aerobatic community, as well as perhaps the most aviation-savvy audience on the planet.
Here’s a partial list of events and activities held during the week:
Warbirds
This is where ex-military aircraft spend the week. This area also has presentations, youth activities, and a dedicated shop for T-shirts and things. Pro tip: Take the Warbirds Adventure Tram Tour. It’s the best way to get an overview of the area, and you’re guaranteed to learn a lot. When you do the tour, ask for Vic and tell him we said “Hello, Mr. Know-it-All!” He’ll know what that means.
Homebuilts
The aircraft of EAA’s roots. This area includes commercial exhibits and a camping area in addition to hundreds of showplanes flown in by proud builders and pilots.
IAC
This is the home base for the International Aerobatic Club (aka EAA members who aren’t happy unless they’re upside down).
Boeing Plaza
This is the center of the show. It’s the area where we park the biggest aircraft, along with the ones that highlight that day’s theme.
Four Corners
This is the central hub for EAA stuff during the week. It’s the place to join EAA, renew your membership, ask questions, do some shopping, learn how to be a pilot (or a better one), and more.
Central Exhibits
Between Boeing Plaza and the main gate, this is where you’ll find the four main exhibit hangars and hundreds of outside aircraft displays.
EAA Aviation Museum and KidVenture
You can’t miss our world-class aviation museum. And, during AirVenture, the adjacent Pioneer Airport turns into KidVenture, which is overflowing with fun activities for the young ones. Pro tip: Get there early if you want your kids to be able to try everything.
Vintage
This section features the lovingly restored classics from yesteryear, along with a gift shop, forums area, youth activities, and a used bookstore.
The Fun Fly Zone
This area is AirVenture’s home to ultralights and ultralight-type aircraft, including trikes, powered parachutes/paragliders, and rotorcraft. It’s also where you’ll see STOL and RC demos as part of the Twilight Flight Fest on evenings without a night air show.
Camp Scholler
This is our drive-in camping area that, for one week every year, becomes a city of 40,000. Even if you’re not camping, go check it out — some people go all out on their campsites.
Towers
You should also find the towers on the map — the regular control tower (the busiest in the world that week) and the four wayfinding towers that we put up. There’s one wayfinding tower in Warbirds, Homebuilts, Vintage, and Ultralights. They’re tall, colorful, and hard to miss, which makes them great landmarks and meeting places.
EAA Seaplane Base
There’s one neighborhood that isn’t on the map because it’s too far south, and that’s the EAA Seaplane Base. The Seaplane Base is a quiet lagoon full of airplanes and has the most laid-back vibe anywhere at AirVenture. You can drive there, but it’s a lot easier to just hop on a bus. It’s well worth the 10-minute ride and the three bucks for the roundtrip ticket.
Please note that “Early Bird” pricing ends on June 30, 2024.
For more information please click here.