Category Archives: EAA

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.

RECORD NUMBERS AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

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EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2024

RECORD NUMBERS AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

Comment from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton:

  • “This year’s tag line was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways. The mix of innovation, history, excitement, and fun that is a hallmark of Oshkosh was present throughout the grounds and made the event a memorable one, filled with numerous ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments in the air and on the grounds.”

Attendance: Approximately 686,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 677,000 – 2023). Comment from Pelton:

  • “Over the past decade, and especially since 2020, we have seen AirVenture move to another level, as we maintain the heart of the event while adding programs and activities that appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all interests. Kudos to our dedicated volunteers and staff who plan and adjust to make it work.”

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 16,780 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 18-28, which is an average of approximately 113 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total showplanes: 2,846 including: 1,200 vintage aircraft, 975 homebuilt aircraft, 337 warbirds, 154 ultralights and light planes, 82 aerobatic aircraft, 65 seaplanes and amphibians, 23 rotorcraft, and 10 balloons.

Camping: More than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: Nearly 6,000 contributing in excess of 250,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors: 861 (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 23.9 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 3.7 million; Total social media video views: 17 million (up 149 percent over 2023); Nearly 45,000 social media followers gained; In addition, more than 142,000 hours of AirVenture live streaming and on-demand videos were viewed during the event.

International guests: A total of 2,581 attendees registering at the International Visitors Tent from a record-setting 98 countries outside the U.S., a 9 percent increase over 2023. As a significant number of international visitors do not officially register at the tent when they arrive, the actual international visitor total is much higher.

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 $2.8 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 836 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 2025 (July 21-27, 2025)?  Comment from Pelton:

  • “We’ve already received plenty of ideas for next year and a little bit later this summer, we’ll begin reviewing what might be possible for 2025. Our annual goal is to create a gathering of people and airplanes that is found nowhere else in the world, and continue to improve the experience for EAA members and visitors.”

 

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure