Wings, Wheels and Water

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2014 Summary

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FACTS AND FIGURES

Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:
q  “It was a tremendous week on many levels. We filled Wittman Regional Airport with aircraft for the first time in several years, with both aircraft camping and parking areas completely full at mid-week. The cooperation and support of the airport’s east side community made possible the historic first appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh, which brought in many people to our event. Exhibitors reported outstanding business throughout the week, with some selling out of product. We also had a tremendous amount of aviation innovation brought to Oshkosh with new airplanes and aviation technology, and our KidVenture youth area had a record attendance year.”
Attendance: More than 500,000, with a total attendance increase of five to six percent. 
q  Comment from Pelton: “Certainly the Thunderbirds’ first performances at Oshkosh helped the attendance, as Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3) saw 20 percent attendance increases from similar days in 2013. There was another factor, too – a renewed sense of optimism that was reflected in people coming to Oshkosh to celebrate the world of flight. You could feel it 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: 2,649 (308 more than in 2013) – including 997 homebuilt aircraft, 1,050 vintage airplanes, 303 warbirds, 122 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 91 seaplanes, 40 rotorcraft, 38 aerobatic aircraft and 8 hot-air balloons.
Commercial exhibitors: More than 790
International visitors registered:2,081 visitors registered from 69 nations, with Canada (505 visitors), Australia (416), and Brazil (194) the top three nations. (NOTE: This total includes only non-U.S. visitors registered at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.)
Media: 917 media representatives on-site, from five continents.
What’s ahead for 2015 (July 20-26)?  Comment from Pelton:
q  “We’re already planning for 2015, with more details coming as soon as we finalize them. Legendary aircraft innovator Burt Rutan indicated he would like to return to Oshkosh in 2015 to share some innovations with the aviation community. We’re eager to bring the soon-to-be-restored B-29 “Doc” here for a public showing as part of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights that you can only see at Oshkosh.”

Information updates posted at www.airventure.org

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

SEMA ANNOUNCES NEW FRIDAY NIGHT ATTRACTION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEMA ANNOUNCES NEW FRIDAY NIGHT ATTRACTION
– Consumers invited to “SEMA Ignited” –where all-star vehicles, industry icons and media converge at the conclusion of the SEMA Show –
  • Launch of innovative consumer-awareness and media event
  • Celebration of the SEMA Show’s top vehicles, personalities, and equipment
  • Additional ROI for SEMA Show exhibitors
DIAMOND BAR, CA (August 1, 2014) – The world’s most unique and celebrated customized vehicles from the 2014 SEMA Show will gather and be accessible to the public on Friday, November 7, 4:00-10:00 pm, as the SEMA Cruise finds its way to a new event taking place immediately after the SEMA Show at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. After four days behind closed doors in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), visible only to industry professionals, hundreds of cars and trucks from the SEMA Show will roll out of the building in the SEMA Cruise and, for the first time ever, assemble at “SEMA Ignited,” a celebration that will include food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and exhibitor displays.
 “SEMA Ignited is an extension of the SEMA Show that will allow exhibiting companies to gain additional media and consumer exposure for the acclaimed vehicles and innovative gear they bring to Las Vegas,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO.
 For years, auto enthusiasts would assemble at the LVCC at the conclusion of the SEMA Show simply to get a glimpse of the amazing vehicles as they exited from the trade-only event. That phenomenon eventually led to the SEMA Cruise, and now, the SEMA Cruise has a destination, as hundreds of one-of-a-kind cars and trucks will congregate at The LINQ Promenade, Las Vegas’s new open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district that includes the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller.
 “This event will be a platform for a consumer and media blitz, featuring the best of the 2014 SEMA Show,” explained Kersting.
 The event will give consumers a rare opportunity to collect and share images of hundreds of customized vehicles featuring the newest and most innovative products from the 2014 SEMA Show. The Friday night event will also serve as the backdrop for nationwide media coverage–including on-site taping for a nationally televised broadcast special–“best of show” awards and include food trucks, music, entertainment, automotive celebrities, builders and more. 
 The new event gives SEMA Show exhibitors additional reach, and an opportunity to excite consumers by showcasing the newest vehicles and equipment from this year’s SEMA Show. Participation is free of charge to exhibitors by virtue of their involvement in the SEMA Show. Interested parties should e-mail info@semaignited.com for details.
 About the SEMA Show: The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. Additional details are available at www.SEMAShow.com or 909-396-0289.
About The LINQ Promenade & High Roller: Caesars Entertainment is redefining the iconic Las Vegas skyline with The LINQ Promenade, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district, anchored by the world’s tallest observation wheel, the Las Vegas High Roller. Located at the heart of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, The LINQ Promenade features more than 30 unique retail, dining and entertainment venues and plays host to a variety of special events, festivals and more. Topping out at 550 feet, the High Roller observation wheel is the focal point of the unique urban entertainment district. The wheel’s 28 glass-enclosed cabins feature an interactive experience including video and music that fade away to unveil spectacular views of the famed resort city in the 30 minutes it takes to complete one full revolution. Each cabin accommodates up to 40 people. Cabins are available for individual or group experiences. For more information, visit TheLINQ.com. 

Hamilton Takeoff Watch.

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Need a new watch? This is a cool option. Wear it on your wrist, stick it on your dash or panel…pretty versatile!

I was at 2014 AirVenture and got an invite to a Hamilton Watch press function. Hamilton has put a big emphasis in aviation by supporting airshow pilots, aviation movies and even training high altitude rescue helicopter pilots.  I was able to meet a few of the companies leaders and I am impressed.  Glad to see them involved in aviation. 

The Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition writes the next chapter of Hamilton’s long history of aviation

Hamilton is taking its close cooperation with Air Zermatt, the Swiss mountain rescue service, to new heights with the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. This pilot watch, which simultaneously acts as a wrist-, cockpit- and table watch, has been created to meet the needs of the rescue team. This dynamic watch is detachable and can be placed in the dashboard of a helicopter or airplane cockpit, as indicated in the presentation box which makes aviation references with a reconstructed dashboard and texts such as “No Step” and “Pull to Open”. Synchronized with the Hamilton brand’s strong aviation heritage, dating back to 1919, the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition combines high-tech modernity with inspiration from the Hamilton elapsed time clock produced during World War II and then considered the most complicated aircraft clock. For the 1,999 wearers in possession of one of the numbered pieces, this watch is the perfect portable cockpit with a constant presence on the style radar screen.

For further information: