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B-29, C-47 D-DAY AIRCRAFT HIGHLIGHT COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE GROUP AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Scott Smith

B-29, C-47 D-DAY AIRCRAFT HIGHLIGHT COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE GROUP AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

B-17, A-26, B-25s among other warbird aircraft coming to Oshkosh

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 19, 2017) — Some of the World War II era’s most significant military aircraft that have been restored and preserved by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will be among the highlights of the annual warbird gathering at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017. The 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Among the airplanes coming to Oshkosh is the Boeing B-29 FIFI, which will join the world’s only other flying B-29 bomber, Doc, on the flight line for the first appearance of multiple B-29s in more than 50 years. In addition, CAF B-25 bombers will appear as part of the 75th anniversary of the famed Doolittle Raid of April 1942.

“While more than 300 vintage military aircraft at Oshkosh each year create the world’s largest annual warbird gathering, the CAF has been at the forefront of restoring and preserving many marvelous examples of flying history,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “At AirVenture, visitors can see the airplanes in the air and on ground display, and also learn more about the aircraft from the people who own and fly them.”

While at AirVenture, the B-29 FIFIwill be available for flights on July 26-27, based from Appleton, Wisconsin. More information is available at CAF’s Air Power History Tourwebsite. At other times, the aircraft will be displayed at Oshkosh for cockpit and aircraft tours.

Other CAF aircraft on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh include:

· C-47 That’s All Brother, the airplane that led the D-Day invasion and is under restoration in Oshkosh

· B-17 Texas Raiders

· A-26 Invader twin-engine bomber

· B-25s Miss Mitchell and Devil Dog, part of the Doolittle Raid 75th anniversary commemoration.

“The Commemorative Air Force is again excited to bring a number of our aircraft to Oshkosh for The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” said Stephan Brown, Commemorative Air Force president. “These airplanes represent an outstanding tribute to the men and women who gave dedicated themselves and sacrificed to preserve our freedom.”

Many of the CAF aircraft will also participate in the EAA AirVenture daily afternoon air shows, including the warbird extravaganzas that take place throughout the week.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

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2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Scott Smith

2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers

The 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo presented by VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association took place April 4 –9, 2017 in Lakeland, Florida. SnF17 was the best fly-in SUN ‘n FUN has ever had. We are pleased to release the following data and fun facts:

• Approximately 200,000 guests attended from over 60 countries

• Brazil, Canada and United Kingdom once again had the highest amount of visitors

• SUN ‘n FUN ordered over 400 Portalets, 18 light towers, 415 golf carts, and 120 tents

• More than 4,000 rolls of toilet paper were used during the week

• SUN ‘n FUN distributed 90,000 bottles of water and approximately 19,000 sandwiches to volunteers

• More than 3,000 volunteers helped during the 6-day event

• HAM Radio worked 39 States, 12 Countries, Canada, Italy, Norway, Estonia are some of them and had a total of 742 worldwide contacts for the 6 days.

• 38 Student tours were conducted with 969 students

• Approximately 400 people attended educational workshops

• 500 Students attended the Blue Angels Symposium

• 10,000 Visitors toured the Piedmont Aerospace Experience, the only working Boeing 727 Classroom on a high school campus

• 7 speakers in the Museum that travelled Mach 3 (3 times the speed of sound) in the iconic SR-71 Blackbird

• 130 Career Minded individuals from 48 states and 3 countries attended our 4th Annual Career Fair with 14 exhibitors

• One astronaut, Senator Bill Nelson, spoke to educators during the Aerospace Educators Workshop

• First ever UAV Demonstration during an Air Show

• 500 People participated in the inaugural Drone Zone

• 443 media representatives attended from 16 countries

• 5,988 people attended 331 forums

• 3,228 People attended 56 workshops

• over 9,000 aircraft movements took place

• 510 Exhibitors participated in the event

SUN ‘n FUN Radio stats:

· Total connections: 21,882 (up 0.5% over 2016)
Total unique listeners: 8,431 (up 0.35% over 2016)

· More than 44 hours were live broadcasted over the 6 days

· Approximately 120 Live interviews and 120 field interviews were conducted

Social Media stats:

• Total Reach (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) = over 2.5 million

• Total Impressions = almost 10 million

• Engagement Rate = over 500,000 on Facebook

• Surpassed 80,000 Facebook followers

• Fielded more than 500 direct messages for customer service – and responded to 99% of them in fewer than 20 minutes

Florida Aviation Network stats:

· 82 Volunteers were on the crew and worked throughout the week of SUN ‘n FUN 2017 .

· Broadcasted 45 interviews from our set at the Florida Aviation Museum and shot numerous reports from the field.

Jackie Jenkins

Communications Coordinator

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 NOTAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Scott Smith

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 NOTAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Oshkosh air traffic procedures are required reading for all aviators flying to AirVenture

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 31, 2017) — The Federal Aviation Administration has released the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), featuring arrival and departure procedures for EAA’s 65th annual fly-in convention July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The NOTAM, which is in effect from 6 a.m. CDT on Friday, July 21, until noon CDT on July 31, 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 NOTAM was designed by the FAA to assist pilots in their EAA AirVenture flight planning. This year’s NOTAM cover features a photo of a B-25 bomber parked at Oshkosh during the fly-in.

While the overall procedure is similar to past years, there are some changes compared to the 2016 version. Some of those changes include:

· TFRs expected on 10-11 a.m. CDT Friday, July 28, and during the afternoon air shows on Monday-Sunday, July 24-30

· Military area changes in central Wisconsin

· Oshkosh Taxiway Bravo designators changed

· Aircraft camping allowed at Appleton

· IFR arrival and departure routings

· Airports added to IFR Special Traffic Management Program

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

To further assist pilots flying to Oshkosh this year, EAA volunteer NOTAM chairman Fred Stadler is hosting a June 14 webinar that will highlight special tips and other aspects of the NOTAM fly-in procedures. Register at the EAA website at EAA.org/webinars. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board has published an informative safety bulletinabout arriving to a major fly-in event.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

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