OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Sunday marks the end of a week long Oshkosh tradition.
EAA AirVenture 2022 is being called the biggest success since it started in 1953.
James Fitzmaurice has been a pilot since he was 16 years old.
“It’s been my dream to come to Oshkosh for years,” said Fitzmaurice.
He’s from Connecticut, but says ever since his son moved to Green Bay, he’s had an excuse to live out his dream.
“We came down for the whole week,” said Fitzmaurice. “We came on Tuesday and went to the air show. On Wednesday, the nighttime air show, it was wonderful.”
Fitzmaurice, his son, and his grandson Carson, are just examples of why EAA President, Jack Pelton, says this year’s AirVenture was record breaking.
“If you ask me what was the most important, or exciting feelings or feedback from the weight jacket, would be the number of families that we had here,” said Pelton.
Pelton says it’s thanks to the Boeing Company, who was offering free admission for ages 18 and under.
“It was so great to see so many young people and all having a great time and keeping their eyes up in the sky for the days that they were here,” said Pelton.
This year’s AirVenture had record attendance with a total of 650,446 guests.
“That was compared to our record year of 2019 at 640,000,” said Pelton.
He adds there were over 3,200 show planes, which included a record 1,400-plus in the vintage area.
“We had over 1,156 home builds which is up 6-percent from last year,” said Pelton. “We had 369 Warbirds, which is up 5-percent from last year.”
As of Sunday morning, Pelton says there were more than 17,000 aircraft take-offs and landings, but believes the total number will be higher in the coming days.
“And having the remarkable weather we had at least took that entrance barrier out of the way,” said Pelton.
As planes leave Wittman Regional Airport to prepare for next year, Fitzmaurice says this isn’t his last round trip either.
“It’s on my bucket list, I finally made it,” said Fitzmaurice. “I’m going to make this a yearly trip.”
EAA AirVenture 2023 will take place July 24-30.
