@EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2015 Summary

FACTS AND FIGURES

Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:

• “AirVenture 2015 exceeded our expectations on many levels. With near-perfect weather for the entire event, we filled Wittman Regional Airport and our convention site to capacity with aircraft, campers and cars by mid-week. The depth and variety of our features and attractions ensured something for every aviation enthusiast. Whether it was the static displays and the number of ‘firsts’ at AirVenture such as the B-52, F-35, and A-350, or the packed exhibits, forums and workshops across the grounds, everyone left knowing that aviation is alive and well in Oshkosh and around the world. The spirit of aviation is strong and the culture of EAA was on full display all week.”

Attendance: Approximately 550,000, with a total attendance increase of approximately two percent.

• Comment from Pelton: “Our final attendance figure continues to demonstrate strong excitement and renewed optimism for the wide variety of aviation activities offered throughout the week for our members and guests. Highlights included the very popular day and night air shows, the Apollo 13 crew presentation and the return of legendary designer Burt Rutan. The EAA Young Eagles program took delivery of ICON Aircraft’s first production A5, and the premiere of EAA’s new Aviation Gateway Park drew standing room-only crowds to investigate new aviation innovations, including exhibits and demonstrations on drone technology. On Thursday alone, there were more than 3,100 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) over 14 hours, the highest total in at least three years. You could sense the buzz among the attendees, exhibitors and our 5,400 volunteers whose work made the event possible.”

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

Total showplanes: 2,668 (up 1 percent over 2014) – including 1,031 homebuilt aircraft, 976 vintage airplanes, 350 warbirds, 130 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 101 seaplanes, 30 rotorcraft, and 50 aerobatic aircraft.

Commercial exhibitors: More than 800, including more than 140 new exhibitors this year.

Forums and Workshops: A total of 1,048 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: Nearly 600,000 AirVenture web sessions from around the globe; 40,000 downloads of the EAA AirVenture app; AirVenture social media posts reached 82 countries; and EAA’s 1,000 photo uploads were viewed nearly 8 million times.

Guests registered at International Visitors Tent: 2,299 visitors registered from a record 80 nations, with Canada (485 visitors), Australia (266), and Germany (204) comprising the top three represented nations. (NOTE: Actual international counts are higher, as these are self-reported figures collected at the International Visitors Tent alone.)

Media: 970 media representatives on-site, from five continents.

What’s ahead for next year (July 25-31, 2016)?  Comment from Pelton:

• “We’re not resting, as we’re already planning for 2016, with more details available as soon as they’re finalized over the coming months. There were aircraft in process that couldn’t make it this year, including Burt Rutan’s new SkiGull and B-29 ‘Doc,’ that we hope will make an appearance next year. In addition, it’s the 30th anniversary of the iconic RV-6 design. We’d like to have a big reunion of these airplanes at Oshkosh. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights that you can only see at Oshkosh. Based on the momentum from this year’s fly-in, AirVenture 2016 is already one to eagerly anticipate!”

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure

For more information: Dick Knapinski (920-426-6523 or dknapinski@eaa.org)

Bob Hoover to Make Special Appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In Theater
“World’s Greatest Pilot” will help introduce Flying the Feathered Edge on Opening Sunday

For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 15, 2015

Oshkosh, Wisconsin – This weekend, Bob Hoover, legendary aviator, will make a special appearance at the showing of his documentary, Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project at this weekend’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event. The film will kick off the EAA Fly-In Theater film series as the first of two feature-documentaries presented Sunday. Hoover will be joined by the film’s director and producer Kim Furst as well as Sean D. Tucker to introduce the film.

Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project honors Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, an aviation legend and World War II veteran. In this inspiring 86 minute film, the renowned aviation figure tells his life story as an Air Force fighter pilot, experimental test pilot, and airshow pilot. His lifelong dedication to aviation has made him one of the most admired figures in flying. The film features conversations with actor and pilot Harrison Ford and air show legend Sean D. Tucker, along with appearances by Neil Armstrong, Carroll Shelby, Dick and Burt Rutan, Clay Lacy and other experts in the aerospace field.

Filmmaker Kim Furst is an award winning documentary director and producer. Flying the Feathered Edge is her fifth aviation film. Acknowledgements of Furst’s works include recognition at the Canada International Film Festival and the Las Vegas International Film Festival.

The showing of the documentary will precede nationwide showings on August 19th in celebration of National Aviation Day including a public screening on Capitol Hill. Visit the website at www.thebobhooverproject.com to bring the film to a theater near you.

This special showing of Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project at EAA AirVenture will begin at 8:30 PM on Sunday July 19th at the Fly-In Theater.

For Immediate Release (7-17-15)

SUN ‘n FUN Showcasing High School PiLOTS

SUN ‘n FUN is proud to introduce the 2015 Lakeland AeroClub members arriving at EAA AirVenture.  Ten (10) pilots under the age of 21 are flying from Lakeland, FL to Oshkosh, WI in aircraft that include “Miss Adair”, a 1956 Piper Pacer formerly owned by SUN ‘n FUN’s 1^st President Billy Henderson; a 1953 Piper Super Cub brought back to flying status by Lakeland AeroClub members in the Buehler Restoration Skills Center, a 1964 Cessna C-150, a 1946 Cessna-140, and SUN ‘n FUN’s 1966 C-182.  The pilots and their aircraft can be found in Vintage Parking, Row 71 with an anticipated arrival on Saturday morning, July 18^th.  Each of the pilots are also new members of EAA and AOPA.

Meet the SUN ‘n FUN teen pilots in Oshkosh:

Wednesday, July 22^nd 10:00 a.m. Vintage Red Barn

EAA Youth Programs

Thursday, July 23^rd 10:30 a.m.  Brown Archway

Photo Session with Jack Pelton, President EAA Chairman of the Board and

John R. “Lites” Leenhouts, President/CEO, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc.

Thursday, July 23^rd 3:00 p.m. AOPA Exhibit Tent, Main Aircraft Display Booth 463

Photo Session with Mark Baker, President/CEO AOPA and John R. “Lites” Leenhouts

Thursday, July 23^rd EAA AirVenture Showcase during the Airshow (Time TBD)

With Announcer John R. “Lites” Leenhouts

Monday – Saturday, SUN ‘n FUN Exhibit C3012/3013

Contact Mike Zidzunias at 941-915-8883 for student interviews

SUN ‘n FUN’s mission is to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.  Having certificated 35 teenage high school private pilots in the last 2 years, SUN ‘n FUN’s new goal is to certificate 25 pilots per year through their scholarship programs. Visit the SUN ‘n FUN exhibit for your personal introduction to the Aerospace Center for Excellence learn more about the scholarship and education opportunities including the Piedmont Aerospace Experience, a fully-functional Boeing 727 Learning Laboratory.

Mark your calendar for the 42^nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo

April 5-10, 2016

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SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL.  Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities and used to support on-going scholarship funding.