Category Archives: Aviation

Top air show performers commit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

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Top air show performers commit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

More performers to be added in coming weeks to initial all-star roster

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (January 9, 2025) — Some of the world’s top air show performers have made commitments to fly at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration – as part of the afternoon and night air show lineups.

Performers at the 72nd Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, scheduled for July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport, include aerobatic champions and longtime Oshkosh favorites. The event features nine air shows over seven days, including night air shows on July 23 and 26. Daily afternoon air shows are presented by Daher and RTX, while the July 23 night air show is presented by Covington Aircraft.

“Each year, we build the air show roster for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh based on welcoming some of the best air show performers in the world, along with suggestions from attendees that include past favorites and new performers emerging on the scene,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Regardless of the day during AirVenture week, aviation enthusiasts coming to Oshkosh know that the air shows will be filled with tremendous sights and sounds, as well as extraordinary pilots and legendary aircraft.”

Among the performers and aircraft already on the schedule include:

Randy Ball (MiG-17)

Vicky Benzing (P-51)

Bob Carlton (Jetfox twin-engine sailplane)

The Chuters (skydiving)

Class of ’45 (Corsair/P-51)

Greg Colyer (T-33)

Jerry Conley (de Havilland Vampire)

Susan Dacy (Stearman)

Erik Edgren (Taylorcraft)

Kyle Fowler (Long-EZ)

Kyle Franklin (Super Cub)

Michael Goulian (Extra)

RJ Gritter (Decathlon)

Greg Koontz (Decathlon)

Nathan Hammond (Super Chipmunk)

Rob Holland (MXS-RH)

International Aerobatic Club demo

Jerry Kerby/Trojan Thunder (T-28s)

Jarrod Lindemann (Jet Waco)

David Martin (Pinto jet)

Misty Blues (skydiving)

Northern Stars (Pitts Specials)

Jim Peitz (F-33 Bonanza)

Ken Rieder/Redline Airshows (RV-8)

Bill Stein (Edge 540)

Philipp Steinbach (GB1 Gamebird)

Skip Stewart (Prometheus 2)

Titan Aerobatic Team (T-6s)

U.S. Army Golden Knights (skydiving)

Bernie Vasquez (Warbird)

Matt Younkin (Beech 18)

These early confirmations are in addition to the previously announced F-22 and F-35B military demos. Many more performers will be announced, including some only-in-Oshkosh performers and aircraft. Exact days for each performer and complete daily air show lineups will be announced as they are finalized.

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.

Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

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Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

cessna 182

Recently I had a call asking “should a low time pilot buy a Cessna 182”?  The caller was concerned because they only had 75 hours total time and all of that was in a Cessna 172. On top of that, they had a chance to buy a Cessna 182 that has very low time and is a clean airplane, should they be concerned about their low total time when moving up to a 182?

My quick thoughts. The Cessna 182 is a great aircraft. It offers an excellent platform for instrument (IFR) training, is a respectable cross country aircraft and is reasonably cost effective to operate. As a private pilot, your first year will be a little more expensive to insure because of your low hours, but that’s about it.  Yes, it does cost slightly more to maintain than a Cessna 172, but the difference is slight, mainly in the fuel burn and engine costs.  The Continental six-cylinder, 470 engine (or the Lycoming 540 in the new models) are very reliable engines.  Parts are in supply, aftermarket items and service is available almost anywhere you can fly to.

About the only thing that seems to bother the 182 are the fuel bladders in the pre-1979 aircraft and the nose gear impacts that low time pilots inflict during training. The 182 gets quite a few hard landings on the nose, typically when they are full of fuel and lightly loaded with passengers and baggage.  A pilot tends to run out of elevator in the flare a little higher than they should and drop them on the nose.  Nothing that cannot be corrected with a good dose of training at different loads.

As with any other aircraft, a good pre-buy inspection for damage history, corrosion and maintenance should be done before the purchase.  Also line up an instructor that has a fair amount of time in the Cessna 182 and they can show you how well the aircraft can really perform. Oh, and if you are used to the Cessna 172, the 182 will just require more arm muscles in the flare.  The heavy control pressure will be notable for the first few hours, after that, it’s a typical Cessna!