Celebrating the Freedom of Flight
By EAA Staff
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AirVenture is here! After months of preparation and effort by staff and volunteers, all the moving parts have come together. Our overall theme of celebrating the freedom of flight coincides with our nation’s 250th anniversary, and that’s given us an opportunity to reflect on the milestones of aviation history.
AirVenture is here! After months of preparation and effort by staff and volunteers, all the moving parts have come together. Our overall theme of celebrating the freedom of flight coincides with our nation’s 250th anniversary, and that’s given us an opportunity to reflect on the milestones of aviation history. One of the cornerstones of that effort is our vintage aircraft area, which is celebrating both the pioneer era and the postwar general aviation boom. We’re excited to see Goodyear returning with an airship, Southwest Airlines’ patriotic Independence One 737, and a rare visit from Austria’s Flying Bulls’ beautifully restored P-38 Lightning and Douglas DC-6. NASA is back celebrating the recent Artemis II mission, with Administrator Jared Isaacman expected to attend. One of the biggest additions to our air shows is the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, who are making their first appearance in Oshkosh, flying on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We’re again highlighting public benefit flying on Boeing Plaza, with several groups represented, so you can see these organizations firsthand and learn about how to get involved. Speaking of getting involved, I hope you’ll take the time to attend some of our hundreds of forums and workshops, where you can learn everything from detailed slices of aviation history to learning how to weld. We’re grateful to Boeing for helping underwrite admission costs so that anyone age 18 and under can attend for free. It’s important to us to help support families, and this is a big step in helping relieve the burden of them bringing their kids to AirVenture. This year also finds us celebrating the remarkable milestone of having flown 2.5 million Young Eagles, thanks to the efforts of EAA chapters and a huge network of volunteer pilots and ground crews. I want to thank the Wisconsin National Guard, which provides fire and rescue equipment, along with security and other personnel that enables us to host current military aircraft, and, of course, our 6,000 volunteers who work nonstop to make our convention a safe, happy, and successful one. Welcome to Oshkosh!
