Wings, Wheels and Water

Fly-In Theater brings classic aviation films to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Posted on by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fly-In Theater brings classic aviation films to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Screenings open to all AirVenture attendees, presented by PenFed

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 25, 2026) — Aviation and film fans alike will enjoy the lineup of movies that are being screened at the Fly-In Theater during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 at the Fly-In Theater. This year the Fly-In Theater is featuring six aviation centered movies from July 18-24 spanning from classic to contemporary films that the whole family can enjoy.

The 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

For nearly 20 years, the Fly-In theater has been a mainstay for those attending AirVenture. The theater is located right next to the Camp Scholler campground and provides the perfect opportunity to wind down after a long day of airshows, exhibits, and workshops. Every movie will be shown with state-of-the-art projection on a screen that stands about five stories tall, and popcorn is free for all attendees.

The Fly-In Theater screenings are free for those who attend AirVenture. No movies will be shown on July 22 or 25 due to the night air shows. The films are preceded by entertaining and informative introductions featuring special guests who bring their own insights and expertise. The regular showtime is at 8:30 p.m., except for July 20 and 24, which start at 8:15.

This year’s features include:

  • Saturday, July 18 – Top Gun – Celebrate the 40th anniversary of this aviation classic on the big screen, featuring Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in this epic tale about grit, competition, friendship, and most importantly, 1980’s naval aviation! The one and only Lt. Cmdr. Lloyd “Bozo” Abel, the pilot who gave Tom Cruise his F-14 orientation, will join us as a special guest.
  • Sunday, July 19 – Flying Misfits – In this feature length pilot episode for the classic television series Black Sheep Squadron, a former U.S Marine pilot Greg “Pappy” Boyington forms his own fighter squadron from a group of misfits and delinquents to help the effort in WWII, long after his time flying with the Flying Tigers in China. Stephen Chapis, author of a new book about the series, will be joining as a special guest.
  • Monday, July 20 – “A Tribute to Jimmy Stewart” – The evening will begin with some very special guests offering an exclusive look behind the scenes at the upcoming film Jimmy, a biopic celebrating the life and accomplishments of Jimmy Stewart, a beloved actor and decorated military aviator. This will be followed by a screening of the 1955 classic Strategic Air Command, where Stewart plays an ex-pilot turned baseball player forced to return to the Air Force and aid his country in Cold War deterrence.
  • Tuesday, July 21 –The Rescue – This documentary film chronicles B-25 owner and pilot Larry Kelly’s trip to China to explore the sites where the brave pilots of 1942’s Doolittle Raid were forced to crash land and take shelter after their one-way mission to strike Japan in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  • Thursday, July 23 – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – Ethan Hunt returns to combat his toughest enemy yet, a terrifying AI known simply as “the Entity” has taken over intelligence networks across the globe, and only Hunt and his new allies with the IMF are able to try and stop it before it changes the world as we know it forever. Air show pilot Susan Dacy will join us to talk about high performance Stearman flying
  • Friday, July 24 – Memphis Belle – Inspired by the true story of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 crew, will soon be embarking on their 25th and final mission, having completed the previous 24 against the odds. Their last one is the toughest they’ve been given yet, flying deep into German territory. Special guests include producer Catherine Wyler, along with key cast and crew members.

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.

NASA astronauts, “Memphis Belle” cast headline Theater in the Woods

Posted on by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

NASA astronauts, “Memphis Belle” cast headline

Theater in the Woods at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 23, 2026) — Attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 are invited to a powerful week of evening programming at the Theater in the Woods. From Sunday, July 19, to Saturday, July 25, a series of nightly events will gather noteworthy people from NASA astronauts to those involved with the 1990 war drama Memphis Belle.

“After a full day on the Oshkosh flight line, evenings at Theater in the Woods have been the perfect place to sit back and hear from aviation’s greats,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This year’s programming again creates ‘only at Oshkosh’ moments with those involved in aviation history, cutting-edge technology, or the silver screen.”

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, July 19 – An Evening with Champions: The History of the USAF Heritage Flight (7-9 p.m.)

Kick off the week with some of aviation’s best as they talk about what it took to create the USAF Heritage Flight, and how they keep it going.

 

Monday, July 20 – U.S. Air Force’s salute to America’s 250th birthday (7:30-9:15 p.m.)

The United States Air Force will lead a program featuring a swearing in ceremony at 7:30 p.m., followed by country music star Tyler Hubbard taking the stage at 8 p.m.

 

Tuesday, July 21 – A Home in Space: From the Shuttle and Beyond (7-9 p.m.)

Celebrate 45 years of the space shuttle with a panel of NASA astronauts and personnel including Hoot Gibson, Charlie Precourt, Eileen Collins, and Jeanie Engle, moderated by the National Air and Space Museum’s Jennifer Levasseur, curator of the space shuttle and ISS exhibits.

 

Wednesday, July 22 – Concept to Cockpit (6:30-7:45 p.m.)

WomenVenture day will be capped off with a panel of women who have made an impact in aircraft design featuring Xyla Foxlin, Jessica Cox, Margaret Viola, and Kacy Anderson.

 

Thursday, July 23 – Memphis Belle: Telling the Story on the Big Screen (7-9 p.m.)

Hear from cast and crew members of the 1990 film as they recount what it was like to tell the story on the big screen.

 

Friday, July 24 – 9/11: A Look Back 25 Years Later (7-9 p.m.)

Honoring those who risked their lives at a time of tragedy, hear from a collection of brave individuals as they reflect on their firsthand experiences. Featuring members of the FDNY, NYPD, Air Force One, and NASA. Also, meet the RAF Red Arrows Team.

 

Saturday, July 25 – Mission Marge: The Discovery of the Ace of Ace’s Lightning (6:30-7:45 p.m.)

A mission to recover artifacts from America’s leading ace during World War II. Members of Richard Bong’s family, Richard I Bong Veterans Center, Pacific Wrecks, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing share the story of the mission.

 

Evening programs at Theater in the Woods are supported by M&M’S and included with AirVenture admission.

 

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.

Southwest Airlines – ‘Independence One’ – EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Posted on by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southwest Airlines bringing ‘Independence One’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Celebrating service, women in aviation, and freedom to fly during July 22-23 appearance

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 24, 2026) — Southwest Airlines® announced it will participate in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with its high-flying tribute to America’s semiquincentennial celebration, Independence One. This newly launched, freedom-flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 will visit the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® on Wednesday, July 22, showcasing Southwest®’s support of those who’ve given us the freedom to fly.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the 73rd Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The thousands of aviation enthusiasts who annually visit EAA AirVenture will get to see Independence One up close and personal as it carries Southwest Airlines Employees who have served in the military and those with loved ones who have served, culminating in an impressive total of over 1,300 years of military service onboard.

“Independence One is a stunning, colorful tribute to our freedom as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “It will undoubtedly be a big attraction and photo op during AirVenture, as EAA again brings together airplanes and people in a single location that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.”

Southwest is returning as a sponsor of WomenVenture, a conference aimed at inspiring and empowering women in aviation. Emily Estapa, Managing Director of Network Operations Control ATC Training and Standards at Southwest Airlines and a U.S. Air Force veteran, will be speaking at the WomenVenture forum on July 22.

“When women come together, we’re able to support one another and share our journeys,” Estapa said. “That collective sense of belonging and visibility doesn’t just advance individual careers—it elevates the entire aviation industry.”

Keep an eye out for Independence One parked on Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 22.

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.

About Southwest Airlines Co.    

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 122 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline(fn. 1). By empowering its more than 73,000(fn. 2) People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

  1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025
  1. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2026