OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) — EAA AirVenture is returning on Monday, and organizers say they’re expecting a big one.
Spokesman Dick Knapinski says that more than 10,000 aircraft and 600,000 flight enthusiasts will descend upon Oshkosh for the world’s largest fly-in aviation show.
“More than 120 aircraft movements, take off and landings, every single hour that the airport is open [during the show],” said Knapinski. “During peak hours, we may be landing three or four airplanes at the same time.”
Wittman Regional Airport actually becomes the busiest airport in the world during the event, surpassing even Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.
This year the show will feature a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the US Air Force.
“EAA AirVenture is one of the two or three civilian shows that the US Air Force is putting full support behind,” Knapinski explained.
Aircraft expected at AirVenture include: C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-46 Pegasus, HH-60 Pavehawk, AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk, MH-47 Chinook, AH-6 Little Bird, and T-38 Talon.
International visitors are finally expected to return in large numbers since the start of the pandemic.
“Last year a lot of them couldn’t get out of their home countries due to COVID protocol or couldn’t get back to their home countries without an extended quarantine,” Knapinski told WTAQ.
The event runs from July 25th to July 31st. There are nine air shows throughout the seven day event, including two night shows.
Additional event information is available at eaa.org.
Last year, WTAQ’s Rob Sussman and Casey Nelson checked out the planes of the future at the event.
