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First Time's the Charm
A first-time visitors guide to
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
There's really no place in the world
like the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual convention, EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh. With so much to see and do, EAA AirVenture can be
a little overwhelming, especially if you're not already an EAA member,
or you're not traveling with friends who do know the ropes.
EAA is the "Spirit of
Aviation," dedicated to keeping aviation fun, accessible, and
safe. During the last week of July every year, the family of EAA
members gathers and invites the world to participate. Wittman Regional
Airport becomes a magical place where innovation, experimentation, and
imagination aren't just buzzwords - they actually describe these
average-Joe rocket scientists.
EAA is about aviation participation. At EAA AirVenture are
representatives from just about every aspect of aviation, from NASA
and the military to mega-dollar business-jets, ultralights,
pilot-training companies, and gadget manufacturers. If it has
something to do with aviation, it's here.
AirVenture People
EAA AirVenture is an annual rite for
many people, some who have participated every year back to the days in
Rockford, Illinois, where the convention was held before it moved to
Oshkosh in 1970. What makes it so special? That's easy: the airplanes,
the people, and the excitement in the air.
Oshkosh is a showcase for meticulously
loved antique, classic, and homebuilt airplanes. The pilots who bring
their airplanes proudly share their work with those who love airplanes
as much as they do. Of course, there are plenty of military airplanes
to admire, air show performers to marvel at, and the
latest-and-greatest New Airplane XP-2500 to ponder.
Then there are the people; more than
500,000 each year. EAA is a big aviation-minded family who make fast
friends with other airplane folks. Neighborhoods that reappear every
year in the campgrounds, reuniting with long-lost friends, and
volunteering time to make sure the event runs smoothly.
EAA pays special attention to the
future of flight, while recognizing the innovations that have
pioneered today's achievements. In addition, the people behind the
advancements share their knowledge and inspire others in more than 500
educational forums, seminars, and workshops.
It's impossible to see everything in
one day, or even a week. If you want to enjoy your time in Oshkosh,
just pace yourself and focus on what interests you. There are things
for history buffs, airplane builders and owners, gadget and gizmo
shoppers, airplane enthusiasts, and aviation visionaries. Take the
suggestions below or chart your own course with the Info Guide, a
directory of everything that's going on for the seven days of EAA
AirVenture that's available at the admission gate. You'll find
exhibitor locations, forum schedules, and speaker listings to help
organize your day.
History Repeats Itself
 EAA AirVenture suggestions for the
aviation historian
EAA AirVenture is a walking, talking, breathing
history lesson, with famous pilots and airplanes you'd normally only
see on television.
Visit the warbirds area to see historic World
War II-, Korea-, and Vietnam-era military aircraft painstakingly
restored to flying condition. Twice a day, you can attend the Warbirds
in Review program, an informal presentation on a military aircraft by
the pilots who flew them.
If your tastes lean toward historic passenger
aircraft, take a flight in EAA's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor for a
seat-of-the-pants look at the early days of airline travel. Check out
the airplanes on AeroShell Square, too. You can even attend a
presentation at the museum's Vette Theater. Take your time while
you're at the museum. Not only is it cool and refreshing, but you'll
also get to see aircraft in EAA's collection you'd be hard-pressed to
find anywhere else.
If a big radial engine or the sweet lines of
1930s airplanes give you goose bumps, you'll love the restored
aircraft in Vintage/Antique parking.
Some Assembly Required
Suggestions for the airplane builder and pilot
 EAA
AirVenture is your own quick-build airplane-ownership kit. You'll
learn what you need to know to get the most out of your aircraft and
your aviation adventure.
If you're new at building airplanes,
the workshops on welding, composites, wing-rib construction, and
sheet-metal forming will help you learn the necessary skills. A full
slate of forums will also fill you full of more how-to, including
aircraft panels, spray painting, weight and balance for your aircraft,
basic electrical wiring, motor mount design, and the do's and don'ts
of epoxy resin.
If you're almost finished with your
project, there are EAA forums on registering a homebuilt, preparing it
for final inspection, keeping maintenance records, and preparing to
fly it.
If you're flying a completed homebuilt
or a certificated production aircraft, there are plenty of forums just
for you - including FAA's entire forum building dedicated to pilot
safety seminars.
The Federal Pavilion features
government agencies from Canada, the United States, and the Bahamas to
make your flying safer and more enjoyable. And don't forget the
exhibitors. If you've got a question, need a certain doodad, or you
want to try an airplane on for size, you'll find a people there happy
to help.
Marketplace of Ideas
Suggestions for the aviation
shopper
 EAA
AirVenture is the place to find new avionics, a complete set of tools,
a computerized ground school course, or a book on your favorite
aviation esoterica.
There are EAA AirVenture forums
dedicated to selecting datalink receivers, flat-panel instruments,
integrated flight instrumentation, radios, Stormscopes, and
noise-reduction headsets. After the forums, stop by the exhibit halls,
ask questions, and get a course on the knobology of the gear you want.
Some manufacturers even offer free seminars on their products.
Regardless of what aircraft you're
seeking, from a trike, a powered parachute, a light-sport airplane, a
personal computer aviation training device for instrument training, or
even a $5 million business jet, you'll actually get to compare several
side-by-side. If you're looking for deals, check the bulletin boards
around the grounds - you might find a nearly perfect airplane for the
perfect price.
If you're looking for the hard to find,
don't forget the Aeromart, EAA's aviation flea market. At the very
least, you'll find something to decorate that aviation-themed
recreation room back home.
For the Fun of It
Suggestions for the aviation
enthusiast
If your flying is limited to looking up when an airplane flies over,
you're still among friends at EAA AirVenture. Get your fix is by
walking the flightline-from warbirds to ultralights. Stop by AeroShell
Square, too - that's where the "special guest" airplanes
park, including current military fighters and transport airplanes from
the U.S. Air Force, Marines, and Navy.
You'll see presenters that could
include World War II aces talking about their experiences, current
military jet pilots, or one-of-a-kind individuals with unique aviation
backgrounds.
The afternoon air show features some of
the best pilots in the world doing things in airplanes you didn't know
were possible. Even the warbirds get in the act several times with
their signature formation fly-bys.
If learning to fly is in your mind,
stop by the Learn-To-Fly Center. You'll learn what you need to know
from the basics of sport pilot to the time and cost of getting your
own freedom of flight.
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