EAA Fly-In Vintage Aircraft to Oshkosh, WI
Airplanes Head to Southeastern Wisconsin for Premiere Air Show
Vintage aircraft of all sorts will be flying in to Oshkosh for the EAA Airventure in July. The premier aircraft show runs from July 28 through August 3, 2008 and brings airplane enthusiasts from around the world. The EAA Fly in features aircraft shows, warbirds, entertainment, opening night concert by Foreigner, youth activities, airplane rides and much more. A day at the EAA Fly In is packed with excitement and activity for the entire family.
People who live in Wisconsin and surrounding states often look up into the sky to see vintage airplanes flying toward Oshkosh as the date for the Fly-In approaches. Excitement buids as all planes head toward Southeastern Wisconsin.
Aviation fans come from more than 60 nations for the excitement of this premiere aircraft event in southeastern Wisconsin. Visit Oshkosh to see over 10,000 airplanes, including 2,500 show planes. The event includes 800 exhibitors and 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars. Air shows features some of the finest aerobatic performers in the world as they fly in the great blue sky.
Daily Highlights of AirVenture
EAA Air Adventure offers a full schedule of events. Following are the daily highlights.
- Sunday, July 27: The Family Reunites features Young Eagles celebrity golf classic and the Goodyear blimp arrives
- Monday, July 28: Opening Day! features Nanchang CJ Anniversary mass formation on fly over, Red Bull helicopter afternoon air show, Goodyaer blimp, opening day concert with Foreigner and the V-22 arrive.
- Tuesday, July 29: Learn About Space Tourism: Goodyear blimp, Red Bull helicopter and Warbirds Extravaganza afternoon air show, Rocket Racing League demo flight, Burt Rutan and Sir Richard Branson and The Jetpack unveiled.
- Wednesday, July 30: Big Airplanes, Big Stars. Goodyear blimp, Red Bull Helicopter afternoon air show, NASA's 50th anniversary hosted by Hoot Gibson, Harrison Ford introduces Fly-In Theater movie and Comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.
- Thursday, July 31: Return of the Raptors. F-22 Raptors arrive, Recognition of 30,000 homebuilt aircraft, afternoon air show, Goodyear blimp and V-22 Osprey demo flights.
- Friday, August 1: Racing Rockets! Women Pilots, Rocket Racing League demonstration flights, F-22 Raptors and Warbirds Extravaganza afternoon air show, Lt. Dan Band featuring Gary Sinise, Goodyear blimp and Warbird Spectacular.
- Saturday, August 2: A Roaring Good Weekend. Rocket Racing League demonstrations flights, Warbirds Extravaganza afternoon air show, F-22 Raptors demonstrations and the EAA Lindy aircraft awards "Best of the Best."
- Sunday, August 3: A Year of Memories: Memorial Wall induction ceremony, F-22 Raptors afternoon air show, The world's greatest aircraft departure show and the EAA Sweepstakes drawing when the lucky winner wins an airplane!
Aerobatic Performers
Airshows by some of the finest aerobatic performers are one of the highlights of the ais ow. Pilots make the Oshkosh Show a priority because it gives them a chance to strut their stuff in from of their peer group. Aerobatic pilots and teams include AeroShell Team, Aerostars 3, Chandy Clanton, Collaborators Formaton Aerobatic Team, Matt Chapman, Julie Clark, Bob Davis, Kyle Franklin, Mike Goulian, Iron Eagles 2, Liberty Parachute Team, Kent Pietsch, Greg Poe, Gene Soucy, Nikolay Timofeev, Red Bull Helicopter, Sean Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, Mike Wiskus and Matt Younklin.
History of the EAA Airventure Oshkosh
The first EAA AirVenture was held in Milwaukee, at what is now Timmerman Field, in 1953. The first fly in was a small affair, with just a handful of aircraft and about 150 visitors. The EAA Fly In grew quickly and outgrew the Milwaukee airport. In 1959 the Fly In moved to the Rockford, Illinois Municipal Airport, west of Chicago, Illinois. The "Rockford Years" lasted a decade and did much to shape the Fly In to the event it is today. By 1969 the convention had become to big for the Rockford Airport.
When the Fly In outgrew the Rockford Airport the Fly-In moved to Oshkosh. Oshkosh, Wisconsin was ideal because acreage surrounding the airport could handle the annual influx of airplanes, vehicles and tents.
The convention exploded into national prominence during the 1970's and 1980's. Attendance has jumped into six figures annually. The premier aviation event attracts 10,000 airplanes every year. More that 500,000 people attend the fly in convention. The international gathering of aviation enthusiasts brings some of aviation's top personalities to Oshkosh.
Ticket Information
EAA Members enjoy substantial discounts for themselves, family members and guests. An EAA membership is $40 per year. There is a link on the AirVenture website that allows people to join and become eligible for the discounted price.
Tickets for non member adults are $35. EAA Member adult tickets are #23. Non member Student 14-16 $30, Youth (6-13), Children 5 and under free. There are also weekly passes. See the EAA website for details.
Information is subject to change.
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