Wings, Wheels and Water

NASA brings legendary aircraft to celebrate America 250 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 11, 2026) — NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and several NASA aircraft will be among the special guests on Boeing Plaza, in the Warbirds area, and during several airshows during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. The 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Isaacman will speak during a Warbirds in Review presentation on his personal MiG-29 and F-5 aircraft on Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m. and during a Boeing Plaza presentation on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m. Friday’s event will highlight the future vision for NASA, including its upcoming space missions and ongoing aeronautics innovations.  

Highlighting the aircraft from NASA will be an F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Hornet with special patriotic livery celebrating America 250, including navy blue-and-white star covered fuselages and red-and-white striped wings. They are based at Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. In addition, a NASA T-38 Talon, a legendary training jet for the astronaut corps, will be on display on Boeing Plaza. This Talon is based out of the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Rounding out the group will be four special livery F-5F Tiger IIs, with three of them decorated in special white and blue Freedom 250 paint schemes. The three “Freedom 250” F-5s will be on display in the Warbirds area throughout the week, apart from their participation in the July 23-24 air shows.   

These iconic aircraft were featured during the July 4 flyover in Washington D.C., as a part of the America 250 celebrations. This will be the first time the aircraft will be available to be seen by the public on static display with their special liveries.

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.

Boeing Plaza – ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Boeing Plaza becomes ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Showcase aircraft large and small featured throughout week

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 8, 2026) — Boeing Plaza, the large aircraft ramp at the center of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds, will again become the “Crossroads of Aviation” with an ever-changing lineup of major aircraft during the 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention in July 20-26.

The 2026 lineup includes modern military aircraft, historic airplanes, the latest innovations, and special guest appearances. The roster of aircraft will change throughout the week, with some airplanes visiting for only one day while others will remain for the entire event. In addition, many of the aircraft will reinforce AirVenture’s salute to America 250.

“There is no place else in the world where one can see a combination of noteworthy aircraft and people as you can on Boeing Plaza during EAA AirVenture,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Nearly every notable type of airplane of the past 35 years has appeared in that area at some point. What’s also noteworthy is that the coordination of those aircraft is completely organized by a group of AirVenture’s dedicated volunteers, who have probably pulled and tugged more aircraft types than any ramp crew in the world.”

Among the aircraft scheduled on Boeing Plaza in 2026 are a U.S. Air Force B-52, C-5, and C-17, fighter jets such as the F-16, F-35, and F-15, and airliners in special livery designs from Southwest and Delta Airlines. The schedule of display aircraft is subject to change without notice.

Boeing Plaza was originally created in the late 1980s as a taxiway with four aircraft parking “fingers” and expanded into the full ramp in 1993. All aircraft on Boeing Plaza are displayed as a part of regular 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.

Legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

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Goodyear and the legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 30, 2026) — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with its iconic blimp, Wingfoot One, continuing a tradition of airship appearances over Oshkosh. The annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, with the blimp scheduled to arrive Thursday, July 23.

Built on a legacy of innovation, Goodyear continues to advance tire technology. From advanced tire designs and intelligent systems to dynamic simulation capabilities, Goodyear’s cutting-edge science helps enable higher performance, enhanced safety and more efficient mobility in virtually every driving environment. The Goodyear Blimp serves as one of the most visible expressions of this legacy, bringing the company’s spirit of innovation to the skies and offering an exciting, high-impact way to showcase the breadth of Goodyear’s brand to audiences around the world.

Wingfoot One plans to fly at various times throughout the week of the 73rd edition of AirVenture, marking 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America made its initial appearance at the EAA fly-in in 1971. Since then, Goodyear has remained a regular participant at EAA events, with the last appearance in 2025 when it brought two blimps to Oshkosh to celebrate 100 years of Goodyear’s very first branded blimp, Pilgrim.

“The Goodyear Blimp is unmatched in both its pedigree and in the excitement that it generates among attendees arriving to AirVenture. Whether soaring through the sky or parked at Pioneer Airport, it is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive,“ said Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs for EAA, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Goodyear has been a fixture at the event over the past 50-plus years, and its presence in 2026 proves EAA AirVenture is a truly ‘blimp-worthy’ event.”

Goodyear’s exhibitor display (#489 in Main Aircraft Display) will also showcase the company’s comprehensive aviation portfolio, which for more than a century has advanced high-performance design, materials and engineering for operators across commercial, military and private aviation worldwide. In addition, the exhibit will highlight Goodyear’s extensive consumer product portfolio, feature engaging marketing initiatives, and offer exclusive Goodyear-branded merchandise for purchase.

“AirVenture gives us an unmatched opportunity to engage with aviation enthusiasts on the world’s stage,” said Joe Burke, Vice President, Global Aviation, Goodyear. “Whether they are seeing the Goodyear Blimp overhead or engaging with our Aviation team on the ground, events like this allow us to bring our story to life, showcasing both the legacy of our iconic Blimp and the innovative aviation solutions that support pilots and operators every day.”

For more than 100 years, Goodyear has been on the leading edge of aviation tire innovation and building airships for commercial and military use, including hundreds of blimps for the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1955, Goodyear pioneered the first live aerial coverage of a nationally televised event, which boomed into a worldwide phenomenon making Goodyear Blimp synonymous with the biggest events in sports and culture.

More information about the blimps and Goodyear’s Aviation offerings is available at goodyearblimp.com and goodyearaviation.com.

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.