@Cessna O-2A #Skymaster Flight Manual reprints are now available at @AmazonKDP for the Kindle.
The Cessna O-2A was the forward observation aircraft during the Vietnam War. A unique in line twin engine aircraft. This is a pilot operating handbook for that aircraft during that era.
Watch for the paperback version to be released soon. Buy your copy at Amazon.
FACTS AND FIGURES – Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:
“A ‘perfect’ event may be unattainable, but AirVenture 2018 came about as close as one could imagine. The combination of outstanding programs, aircraft variety, a robust economy, and good weather combined to complement the efforts of our staff and 5,000 volunteers throughout the grounds. The week was upbeat, exciting, and filled with many ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments.”
Attendance: Approximately 601,000, nearly two percent above of 2017’s record total. Comment from Pelton:
“EAA members and aviation enthusiasts attended in large numbers, even without the presence of a military jet team as we had in 2017. Our efforts to create unique attractions and aviation highlights across the grounds were incredibly successful. Attendance on opening day was the best in our history, as the vast majority of our guests came to Oshkosh early and stayed throughout the week.”
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 19,588 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 20-30, which is an average of approximately 134 takeoffs/landings per hour.
Total showplanes: 2,979 (second straight year over 2,900): 1,160 homebuilt aircraft (5 percent increase), 1,094 vintage airplanes, 377 warbirds (7 percent increase), 185 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 75 seaplanes, 22 rotorcraft, 52 aerobatic aircraft, and 14 hot air balloons.
Camping: More than 12,300 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for an estimated 40,000 visitors.
Commercial exhibitors: 867.
Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: A total of 1,500 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people.
EAA aircraft flights: 2,800 people flew aboard EAA’s Ford Tri-Motors, while 3,032 people flew aboard EAA’s Bell 47 helicopters and 680 flew aboard EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast.
Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 12 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, including 5.5 million via Facebook videos; EAA’s website had more than 1.7 million page views; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 2.2 million times; and EAA’s 2,400 photo uploads were viewed more than 12.4 million times. Additionally, EAA web streams were accessed nearly 800,000 times by viewers in more than 200 countries, who watched more than 170,000 hours of activities from the AirVenture grounds. The AirVenture app was downloaded and used by nearly 50,000 attendees.
Guests registered at International Visitors Tent: A record 2,714 visitors registered from 87 nations, also a record total. (Actual counts may be higher since international visitor registration is voluntary.) Top countries represented by registered visitors: Canada (538 visitors), Australia (386), and South Africa (277).
Media: 976 media representatives on-site, from six continents.
Economic impact*: $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * – based on 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study
What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 (July 22-28, 2019)? Comment from Pelton:
“We are celebrating our 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh during 2019, so we’ll be looking back on a half-century of unforgettable highlights at Wittman Regional Airport, and planning activities that involve EAA’s hometown and its unique place in aviation history. While 2018 is barely in the record books, we’re talking to many groups and individuals with intriguing new ideas for aircraft, innovations, exhibits, and events. We’re already planning for 2019 and looking forward to announcing features and attractions very soon.”
Oxford, Conn. – July 16, 2018 – Representatives from the D-Day Squadron fleet of American C-47 and DC-3 aircraft are making their way to EAA’s AirVenture for the annual “World’s Greatest Aviation Festival.” 11 aircraft that are part of the D-Day Squadron will join forces to wow audiences and commemorate the D-Day invasion of Normandy nearly 75 years ago. The group aims to honor the citizen soldiers who helped liberate Europe and end the War, and build support for their upcoming journey across the Atlantic to commemorate the invasion that changed the course of history.
Get up close and personal with the transport aircraft that carried these citizen soldiers to the frontlines of the fight in World War II. Take a look inside the spaces that once held paratroopers clipped in and waiting for the green light to leap out into darkness over enemy territory.
Keep an eye out for the Squadron flying in formation at the AirVenture Airshow on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. Find these historic icons on static display in the following locations:
Warbirds
C-47 Virginia Ann of Mission Boston D-Day, LLC
C-47 Placid Lassie of the Tunison Foundation
C47 Miss Virginia of Dynamic Aviation
C-47 Hit or Miss of the Turin Aviation Group
C-47 That’s All, Brother of the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing
C-47 Sky King of the Mid America Flight Museum
C-47 N-99FS of the Liberty Foundation
C-47 Spooky of the American Flight Museum
Vintage
DC-3 Flabob EXPRESS of Flabob Aviation Associates
DC-3 Candler Field Express owned by Jim Sells
DC-3 N-341A of Golden Age Air Tours
Also on Saturday, come down to Warbirds in Review at 10:00 a.m. in Warbird Alley to see Lt Col Richard “Dick” Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders who flew the C-47 in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations in World War II. He will be accompanied by aviator and author Mark Trahan, alongside the D-Day Squadron’s C-47 Placid Lassie and C-47 Spooky.
“The D-Day Squadron fleet will be an amazing sight flying over AirVenture,” said D-Day Squadron Executive Director Moreno Aguiari. “These aircraft represent the best of American bravery and determination. If you have the opportunity to get up close to the aircraft, it’s an experience of profound respect. You can’t help but be in awe of the courage of the troops that once filled those cargo holds. These citizen soldiers answered their country’s call, and risked their lives to parachute from these same aircraft into great danger.”
The D-Day Squadron is preparing to lead a contingent of American C-47 aircraft in a trans-Atlantic trek to participate in the Daks Over Normandy event from June 2-6, 2019, which will include a mass flyover across the English Channel to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019. Learn more at DDaySquadron.org.
Members of the media are invited to attend a press conference Thursday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. at EAA Press Center for the latest news and announcements from the D-Day Squadron.
About the D-Day Squadron
The D-Day Squadron is the part of the Tunison Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In June 2019, the D-Day Squadron will lead an American fleet of historic, restored C-47 World War II military aircraft in Daks Over Normandy, a flyover of more than 30 international aircraft to drop 250 paratroopers over the original 1944 drop zones in Normandy commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event will honor the citizen soldiers of the War, whose bravery led the Allies to the liberation of France, and then to an end of the devastating War in Europe. The Squadron’s education program takes the compelling story of the citizen soldier to audiences at airshows and events off the flight line to honor these brave Americans and ensure their memory and significance is appreciated for generations to come. The group’s efforts are funded through the generous tax-deductible contribution of their supporters. Learn more at DDaySquadron.org.
Press Contact
Moreno Aguiari
Executive Director, D-Day Squadron
director@ddaysquadron.org
(404) 202-9348