Some 10,000 aircraft — ranging from warbirds and aerobatics to vintage and ultralights — plus a half a million flight enthusiasts will soon make Wittman Regional Airport at Oshkosh, Wis., the busiest airport in the world.
The 64th annual Experimental Aircraft Association, known as the EAA AirVenture , will be staged there July 26-31, and this year will honor the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Sponsors of the event, which always draws throngs of aircraft enthusiasts from wide areas including Rochester and southeastern Minnesota, will deliver something for everyone. Some of the highlights will include acrobatic shows by some of aviation's top performers, immersive learning experiences for people of all ages, and a glimpse at one of the most important eras of U.S. history, aviation or otherwise.
That feature, noting the "Day of Infamy" — Dec. 7, 1941— will be commemorated during AirVenture with air shows by historic American and Japanese World War II-era aircraft, as well as other activities throughout the week.
Sponsors say that an unprecedented flying appearance will be made by a restored Interstate Cadet aircraft that was in the air for flight training over Oahu and Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attack began.
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A spokesman for the EAA, Rick Larsen, said that "Pearl Harbor changed America forever 75 years ago. We will commemorate the heroism shown that day and in the aftermath of the attack."
In addition to historic aircraft. AirVenture will bring in one of the most advanced military aerial demonstration teams in the world — the Canadian Forces Snowbirds , which is composed of nine Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets and operating at speeds of up to 465 mph. The Snowbirds will make their first Oshkosh appearance since 1983.
Other major performances will include the AeroShell Aerobatic Team , glider aerobatics expert Luca Bertossio, the "Screamin' Sasquatch" Jeff Boerboon and the first woman to ever become the U.S. national aerobatic champion, Patty Wagstaff, who has accomplished the feat three times.
While air shows will dominate the sky, AirVenture also includes learning centers for children and aircraft enthusiasts, aircraft of nearly every size, shape and era to view, nightly activities, and flight experiences on a B-17, Ford Tri-Motor and Bell 47 Helicopter. Also, the EAA Air Venture Museum is onsite and open for tours.
Oshkosh is located about 200 miles east of Rochester. Additional information — including tickets, prices and camping facilities — can be found at www.eaa.org/airventure .
