Author Archives: Scott Smith

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2026ET RECORDS

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RECORDS SET AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

Comment from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton:

  • “The celebration of America 250 also became an amazing week at The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration at Oshkosh. So many highlights and memories emerged from the grounds over the seven days that made this year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh unforgettable.”

Attendance: Approximately 734,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 704,000 – 2025). Comment from Pelton:

  • “While it’s gratifying to see a record attendance total again this year – which is a credit to our dedicated volunteers, staff, and partners – our goal each year is not to chase numbers but to showcase EAA’s community and share our mission of growing participation in aviation by sharing The Spirit of Aviation. We know that people leave Oshkosh each year inspired and excited by the world of flight that EAA represents.”

International guests: 98 countries represented with visitors registered at the International Visitors Pavilion.

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 15,527 aircraft operations in the period from noon CDT July 16 to noon CDT July 27, which is an average of approximately 101 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total showplanes: 2,851 including: 1,346 vintage aircraft, 875 homebuilt aircraft, 360 warbirds, 118 ultralights and light planes, 88 seaplanes and amphibians, 40 aerobatic aircraft, 18 rotorcraft, and 6 hot-air balloons.

Camping: More than 13,600 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: Approximately 6,000 contributing nearly 300,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors represented: 1,021 (record number).

Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: More than 1,600 sessions hosted during the week at 65 venues.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 30 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 2 million; Total social media video views: 17.1 million; Nearly 50,000 social media followers gained.

The Gathering shines: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted more than 1,000 people and raised a record $2.85 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 849 media representatives on-site, from six continents.

Economic impact*: $257 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * – based on 2025 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study.

What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 (July 26-August 1, 2027)?  Comment from Pelton:

  • “We’re going to first take a breath after this incredible year. Our volunteers, staff and all involved deserve it. Within the next month, however, as we collect feedback and ideas, we’ll begin plotting the course for 2027, which for instance is the 100th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic trans-Atlantic solo flight. That is just one idea and there will be many, many more to come.”

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure  

NASA brings legendary aircraft to celebrate America 250 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 11, 2026) — NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and several NASA aircraft will be among the special guests on Boeing Plaza, in the Warbirds area, and during several airshows during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. The 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Isaacman will speak during a Warbirds in Review presentation on his personal MiG-29 and F-5 aircraft on Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m. and during a Boeing Plaza presentation on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m. Friday’s event will highlight the future vision for NASA, including its upcoming space missions and ongoing aeronautics innovations.  

Highlighting the aircraft from NASA will be an F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Hornet with special patriotic livery celebrating America 250, including navy blue-and-white star covered fuselages and red-and-white striped wings. They are based at Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. In addition, a NASA T-38 Talon, a legendary training jet for the astronaut corps, will be on display on Boeing Plaza. This Talon is based out of the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Rounding out the group will be four special livery F-5F Tiger IIs, with three of them decorated in special white and blue Freedom 250 paint schemes. The three “Freedom 250” F-5s will be on display in the Warbirds area throughout the week, apart from their participation in the July 23-24 air shows.   

These iconic aircraft were featured during the July 4 flyover in Washington D.C., as a part of the America 250 celebrations. This will be the first time the aircraft will be available to be seen by the public on static display with their special liveries.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

Boeing Plaza – ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Boeing Plaza becomes ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Showcase aircraft large and small featured throughout week

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 8, 2026) — Boeing Plaza, the large aircraft ramp at the center of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds, will again become the “Crossroads of Aviation” with an ever-changing lineup of major aircraft during the 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention in July 20-26.

The 2026 lineup includes modern military aircraft, historic airplanes, the latest innovations, and special guest appearances. The roster of aircraft will change throughout the week, with some airplanes visiting for only one day while others will remain for the entire event. In addition, many of the aircraft will reinforce AirVenture’s salute to America 250.

“There is no place else in the world where one can see a combination of noteworthy aircraft and people as you can on Boeing Plaza during EAA AirVenture,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Nearly every notable type of airplane of the past 35 years has appeared in that area at some point. What’s also noteworthy is that the coordination of those aircraft is completely organized by a group of AirVenture’s dedicated volunteers, who have probably pulled and tugged more aircraft types than any ramp crew in the world.”

Among the aircraft scheduled on Boeing Plaza in 2026 are a U.S. Air Force B-52, C-5, and C-17, fighter jets such as the F-16, F-35, and F-15, and airliners in special livery designs from Southwest and Delta Airlines. The schedule of display aircraft is subject to change without notice.

Boeing Plaza was originally created in the late 1980s as a taxiway with four aircraft parking “fingers” and expanded into the full ramp in 1993. All aircraft on Boeing Plaza are displayed as a part of regular AirVenture admission.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.