The Spirit of AirVenture

For the past 49 years, EAA - The Spirit of Aviation - has hosted aviation enthusiasts from around the world for one week in its hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The control tower stands tall, at center field, with a banner reading, “World’s Busist Control Tower.” But just as pilots and aircraft controllers identify passenger counts as “souls on board,” it is truly the souls - the spirit - that make this event one to remember and one to which to return.

Better than any mobile alarm clock, the buzzing of powered parachutes and ultralight aircraft awoke the campground each morning to signal morning civil twilight and the start of a new day. We stirred in our tent for another hour, before the sun rose above the horizon, begging us to pull off our blankets and step onto the dewy grass.

We spent the early mornings in lawn chairs, sipping coffee. The Ohio in our blood was welcomed by our neighbors from Michigan and Indiana, who graciously hosted us and with whom we enjoyed the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

Walk straight down Celebration Way to Boeing Plaza. Some aircraft on display change daily. Behind Angel is the the B-1.

We nearly lost Angel for a moment, as he wandered around the B-1, up close.

”Jetdoc” talking to an older “Doc.” He likes to pet the aircraft. And he may or may not talk to them.

“Doc,” the B-29, is a real beauty. You can purchase this print and more, here.

We participated in the One Week Wonder. I learned how to pull a rivet (Angel listened like an obedient student), and we contributed to building a Van’s Aircraft RV-12iS. With the work of 100 core builders and 2500 AirVenture participants, the aircraft took its first flight on the last day of the show.

Speaking of homebuilt aircraft, this B-17, above, is 1/3 the size of the authentic aircraft and it can actually fly!

Did you know that most radial engines have an odd number of cylinders?

We took a stroll through Warbird Alley.

We could not resist the Spanish colors on this P-51 Mustang.

Then we made our way back to the flight line at air show center. All in just one day.

I took so many fewer photos than I thought I would. No photo can do justice to the feeling of AirVenture. If it is your first time at AirVenture, I can only recommend that you do not create a to-do list. Just go. Give yourself as much time as you can. Enjoy it. Do not try to see everything; it is impossible. But you will enjoy everything that you do see.

One day turns into the next, as airplanes are rotated in and out of Boeing Plaza. Above, the C-5 just landed and parked behind the KC-10 (latter also seen below).

AirVenture is not just about airplanes. It’s about stories. Your story. Her story. Sharing stories. Creating our story. It’s a story in which we are proud to be Americans and blessed to be able to return with a “welcome home,” whenever we choose.

The fun doesn’t end at 1800; there are social events happening every night at Oshkosh. Above, is the only food photo I took before devouring delicious meals in great company. This was at the Seaplane Pilot’s Association (SPA) Corn Roast, just before the mini bicycle race. It’s one enviable meal that we don’t get in Spain.

Our endless thanks go out to Angee, of One Plane Jane, and her family and friends for hosting us for: our first Oshkosh experience, our first camping experience, and thus our first camping experience at Oshkosh. One Plane Jane makes products to empower women, inspired by female aviators - celebrating her love for adventure. Earlier this year, we did an interview with Angee. Check out her story HERE.

I also had the pleasure of meeting my 99s Ambassador Chapter Chairman, in person, at our monthly meeting on the AirVenture grounds. Our meetings are virtual, so it was wonderful to finally share a hug, amidst a day of activities to inspire, normalize, and encourage women in aviation. Angee's booth was located right next to  The Ninety-Nines, Inc, International Organization of Women Pilots . If you are not already a member, consider joining. It's a wonderful group of women and the scholarship applications launch next month.

Until next year...

QUICK FACTS

• Attendance: Approximately 601,000
• Total aircraft: More than 10,000 at Wittman Regional Airport and other local airports; 19,588 aircraft operations at KOSH from 20-30 July; average of 134 takeoffs/landings per hour at KOSH; 2979 show planes
• Camping: More than 12,300 aircraft and drive-in camping sites (est. 40,000 people)
• Commercial Exhibitors: 867​

Source and more facts (EAA https://bit.ly/2M2rmlM)

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