Category Archives: Airventure

Champions, presidents, space flight: All part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 evening programs

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Everything from homebuilts to space flight featured during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 evening programs

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 8, 2022) — Aviation anniversaries and notable personalities are part of the lineup as the nightly Theater in the Woods evening programs bring the world of aviation to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. The 69th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

This year’s schedule of evening programs includes interests from homebuilt aircraft to spaceflight. The nightly programs give AirVenture attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the history makers and the innovators.

“The format of the evening Theater in the Woods presentations brings out not only the highlights, but the fascinating background stories from aviators who were there,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Spending an evening at Theater in the Woods is an Oshkosh tradition that creates countless memories for those in the audience and great stories that they take back home.”

This year’s major highlights include:

  • Sunday, July 24: An Evening with Champions – The traditional AirVenture “pregame show,” with aviation personalities in an evening of storytelling
  • Monday, July 25: Van’s RV 50th anniversary – The world’s most popular kit aircraft celebrates a half century with more than 11,000 built
  • Tuesday, July 26: Flying the Presidents – Experiences from the pilot’s seat in Air Force One, Marine One, and other aircraft
  • Wednesday, July 27: Unusual Attitudes: Women Legends of Aerobatics – Air show legends and champion aerobatic pilots discuss flying on the edge
  • Thursday, July 28: Young Eagles 30th anniversary/Pilots of Top Gun – Commemorate the largest youth aviation education program ever created, then hear from the people who were the inspiration for the iconic film
  • Friday, July 29: The Next Bold Step: The Future of Space and Beyond – Representatives from NASA and Space X talk about what’s next as we explore the solar system
  • Saturday, July 30: U.S. Air Force 75th anniversary – The legacy and the future of America’s aviation branch with top USAF officials present

Additional events and guests will be announced as they are finalized. All evening programs begin at 7 p.m., except on July 27 and 30, which begin at 6:30 p.m. due to the night air shows on those dates. Theater in the Woods programming is presented by M&M’S.

EAA celebrates Van’s Aircraft RV 50th anniversary at AirVenture 2022

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50th anniversary reunion for Van’s RV aircraft highlights homebuilt aircraft activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022

Owners of all RV types invited to join activities at Oshkosh

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (February 25, 2022) — The 50th anniversary of Van’s Aircraft RV series, which has become the world’s most popular kit airplane, will be a major element of homebuilt aircraft activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the 69th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention, is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

“While aircraft kits have existed for more than a century, it was 50 years ago that Richard VanGrunsven introduced a model that would move the homebuilt movement into an age where kit aircraft would become dominant,” said Charlie Becker, EAA’s director of chapters and homebuilt community manager. “Today, more than 11,000 completed RV models are the direct descendants of that first RV-3 in 1972. We invite all of them to be present at Oshkosh as we celebrate a half-century of success.”

A number of special events are planned as part of the 50-year celebration. Those include:

  • Special Van’s RV parking areas in the AirVenture homebuilt aircraft area
  • Multiple forums and workshops focused on RV aircraft throughout the week
  • RV aircraft flying during the AirVenture air shows
  • A July 25 evening program at Theater in the Woods with VanGrunsven, highlighting the history of the company that began as a backyard shop in Oregon

VanGrunsven began Van’s Aircraft with a clean design, then selling plans and a few parts he manufactured himself for those aircraft. Soon the company began manufacturing complete airplane kits and introducing new models that after 50 years now include the latest design, the RV-14. More than 400 kits each year are shipped to builders around the world from the Van’s factory in Aurora, Oregon.

Specific details on all AirVenture activities during the 50-year anniversary will be announced as they are finalized. Van’s RV aircraft owners are encouraged to pre-register for the designated aircraft parking area at EAA.org/AircraftAnniversaries.

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. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

B-29 Doc returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022

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B-29 Doc returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022

Air show participation, ground displays, flight experiences part of visit

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (February 21, 2022) — Doc, one of two airworthy Boeing B-29s in the world, will be returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022 for air show appearances and static displays during the week. While the exact appearance schedule is still being finalized, the aircraft will be parked on Boeing Plaza for public view when on the AirVenture grounds.

The World War II-era bomber will help commemorate the U.S. Air Force’s 75th anniversary at Oshkosh in 2022. AirVenture will feature aircraft from throughout the Air Force’s history, from its creation out of the Army Air Forces in 1947 to today’s modern military aircraft.

“The rarity and the historical significance of the B-29 always make it a popular sight at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Being able to see Doc both on the ground and in the air during AirVenture week will be a big addition to our commemoration of the U.S. Air Force’s 75th anniversary this summer.”

Doc was rescued from the Mojave Desert in 1987 and was meticulously restored over a 30-year period. It made its first air show appearances in 2017, including a legendary flight at Oshkosh that year with the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 FIFI, marking the first time two B-29s had flown together in formation in approximately 60 years.

Earlier this month, EAA and Doc’s Friends announced that the B-29 would be joining EAA’s B-25 Berlin Express for a series of joint appearances in Florida and Louisiana beginning late March.

Advance tickets for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh are now on sale, with the lowest rates for EAA members and early-bird discounts currently available.

In addition, Doc’s Friends will be offering flight experiences aboard the aircraft during AirVenture week, based at Appleton International Airport (ATW). More information is available through the Doc’s Friends website at www.b29doc.com/rides.

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. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.