Category Archives: Airventure

Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

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Heroes and historic military aircraft have their stories shared at Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 22, 2025) — Warbirds in Review, an unparalleled presentation series during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that brings together historic airplanes with pilots and aircraft owners, returns in 2025 with guests that encompass 80 years of aviation and military history. The 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The twice-daily series of “up close and personal” stories will be held July 21-26 at the Warbirds in Review aircraft ramp, located within the EAA Warbirds of America area on the AirVenture grounds. The series is open to all attending AirVenture.

“Warbirds in Review features veterans, aviation legends, and aircraft that simply cannot be seen together in one place anywhere else in the world,” said Connie Bowlin, past president of the EAA Warbirds of America, who organizes the series. “Many of these veterans maintain that they were just doing their jobs and nothing heroic or extraordinary, but that could not be further from the truth. Their stories and unique perspectives on the aircraft showcased at Oshkosh are insightful, poignant, and important for the public to hear.”

The aircraft and personalities scheduled as of May 22, 2025 (subject to change without notice):

Monday, July 21

  • 10 a.m. – North American B-25 “Panchito” – Larry Kelley and family members of the late Doolittle Raiders Richard Cole, David Thatcher, and Robert Hite
  • 1 p.m. – Cessna L-19 Bird Dog – POW Col. (Ret.) Bill Reeder; and Col. (Ret.) Charlie Finch, Catkiller 19; plus Gerry Asher (Fort Worth Aviation Museum); and John Carlton

Tuesday, July 22

  • 10 a.m.- North American P-51 Mustang Air Racers (Thunderbird, Bardahl Special, and Plum Crazy) – Justin Zabel, Warren Pietsch, Vicky Benzing, Clay Lacy, and Steve Hinton Jr.
  • 1 p.m.- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Butch Schroeder, Craig Davidson, and David Burroughs.

Wednesday, July 23

  • 10 a.m. – Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe and North American P-51 Mustang – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs (who shot down an Me 262 in combat during World War II); plus Mike Spalding and Keegan Chetwynd, Military Aviation Museum
  • 1 p.m. – Republic P-47 Razorback Bonnie and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt – Bernie Vasquez and Maj. Nick “Rock” Sand

Thursday, July 24

  • 10 a.m. – Lockheed P-38 Lightning Jandina III – Jason Muszala and Robert “Robbie” Robbins
  • 1 p.m. – Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat, F6F Hellcat, F4F-3 Wildcat, and F8F-2 Bearcat – Rod Lewis and Steve Hinton Sr.

Friday, July 25

  • 10 a.m. – Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver – Ron Fagen, Evan Fagen, and Ray Fowler
  • 12:30 p.m. – 75th anniversary of the Korean War with Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, and Douglas A26 Invader – Jim Tobul, Kevin Sinibaldi (Military Aviation Museum), and Roger Woolsey
  • 1:30 p.m. – Parade – Veterans Tribute

Saturday, July 26

  • 10 a.m. – Beech QU-22B – David Valaer

Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

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Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 activities

Vietnam vets will return home from D.C. day trip at conclusion of July 25 air show

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 21, 2025) — One of the most emotional and touching moments of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year will return in 2025 as 100 Vietnam War vets will take a Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on July 25 as part of AirVenture’s annual salute to veterans. The 72nd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to the nation’s capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve.

“The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is one of the most memorable events of AirVenture week and our Salute to Veterans activities each year,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “This event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and provides them an experience of a lifetime, while giving AirVenture attendees an opportunity to say, ‘Thanks and welcome home.’”

This is the 11th year that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight has originated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh under the auspices of Old Glory Honor Flight of Appleton, Wisconsin. That non-profit organization has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009 with a dedicated group of volunteers. Those flights have included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam.

“Each Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture always creates unforgettable moments,” said Diane MacDonald, the Executive Director of Old Glory Honor Flight. “Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world’s aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it.”

American Airlines is again supplying an aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

Old Glory Honor Flight will be inviting area veterans who are currently on their waitlist. In addition, other Vietnam veterans who are already attending AirVenture 2025 are invited to apply prior to June 7 for a drawing for one of approximately 15 seats available on the flight.

More information is available online regarding Old Glory Honor Flight or to make donations to the organization.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 FAA Notice

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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Notice includes important procedure updates for pilots flying to event

Document is required reading for Oshkosh-bound pilots

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 20, 2025) — There are several important Federal Aviation Administration-approved updates in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Notice (commonly referred to as the Oshkosh NOTAM), featuring arrival and departure procedures for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 72nd fly-in convention on July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. These changes are based on pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations.

The document is in effect from noon CDT on Thursday, July 17, until noon CDT on Monday, July 28, and outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports. The Notice was designed by the FAA to assist pilots in their EAA AirVenture flight planning.

Some of the 2025 updates include:

  • Maintaining 90 KTS until entering downwind at Oshkosh
  • New depiction of gravel pit/beginning descent over gravel pit (any portion) when arriving to Runway 27.
  • Addition of a QR code on the Notice cover that directs to the EAA “Flying In” webpage
  • References to mass arrival schedule, transient helicopter operations, and the EAA Seaplane Base.

The ATC-assignable transition points approaching Oshkosh from the west that will ease holding and congestion will again be in effect in 2025. These points are at Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake, and Green Lake. They will be announced on the arrival ATIS when ATC activates them at times of highest traffic flows.

“The most essential information for any pilot flying to Oshkosh involves reading and thoroughly understanding the 2025 AirVenture Notice to ensure safe operations on arrival and departure,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “We urge all pilots to adequate prepare prior to their trip to Oshkosh and consider such things as our AirVenture arrival flight review so they have the proficiency and confidence to fly safely.”

EAA is also hosting a webinar on June 18 at 7 p.m. CDT regarding flying to AirVenture 2025 and changes in this year’s Notice. Pilots are encouraged to participate to build their knowledge prior to their flights to Oshkosh.

Pilots can download a digital version of the Notice at EAA.org/NOTAM, or order a free printed copy via that website or by calling EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322.