Tag Archives: EAA

RECORD NUMBERS AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

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EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2024

RECORD NUMBERS AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

Comment from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton:

  • “This year’s tag line was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways. The mix of innovation, history, excitement, and fun that is a hallmark of Oshkosh was present throughout the grounds and made the event a memorable one, filled with numerous ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments in the air and on the grounds.”

Attendance: Approximately 686,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 677,000 – 2023). Comment from Pelton:

  • “Over the past decade, and especially since 2020, we have seen AirVenture move to another level, as we maintain the heart of the event while adding programs and activities that appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all interests. Kudos to our dedicated volunteers and staff who plan and adjust to make it work.”

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 16,780 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 18-28, which is an average of approximately 113 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total showplanes: 2,846 including: 1,200 vintage aircraft, 975 homebuilt aircraft, 337 warbirds, 154 ultralights and light planes, 82 aerobatic aircraft, 65 seaplanes and amphibians, 23 rotorcraft, and 10 balloons.

Camping: More than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: Nearly 6,000 contributing in excess of 250,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors: 861 (record number).

Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: More than 1,600 sessions hosted during the week at 65 venues.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 23.9 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 3.7 million; Total social media video views: 17 million (up 149 percent over 2023); Nearly 45,000 social media followers gained; In addition, more than 142,000 hours of AirVenture live streaming and on-demand videos were viewed during the event.

International guests: A total of 2,581 attendees registering at the International Visitors Tent from a record-setting 98 countries outside the U.S., a 9 percent increase over 2023. As a significant number of international visitors do not officially register at the tent when they arrive, the actual international visitor total is much higher.

The Gathering shines: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted more than 1,000 people and raised a record $2.8 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 836 media representatives on-site, from six continents.

Economic impact*: $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * – based on 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study

What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 (July 21-27, 2025)?  Comment from Pelton:

  • “We’ve already received plenty of ideas for next year and a little bit later this summer, we’ll begin reviewing what might be possible for 2025. Our annual goal is to create a gathering of people and airplanes that is found nowhere else in the world, and continue to improve the experience for EAA members and visitors.”

 

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure 

Reasons to Fly: EAA events, activities added to ForeFlight capability

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Reasons to Fly: EAA events, activities added to ForeFlight capability

Cooperative agreement brings thousands of EAA events to popular pilot database

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 24, 2024) — Thousands of EAA events and aviation activities are now easy to access on ForeFlight, one of the world’s most popular flight databases, via an agreement between ForeFlight and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

“Adding EAA’s more than 14,000 annual aviation events makes the ForeFlight database even more comprehensive for the thousands of pilots who rely on it for flight information,” said Ren Scott, EAA’s director of business development. “ForeFlight has always been an excellent source of flight planning and safety, but with EAA’s information it will add more reasons to fly and destinations to discover.”

The cooperative effort is now officially live, giving  EAA chapters an opportunity to update their upcoming activities on EAA’s calendar of events. That calendar will regularly and automatically be loaded into the ForeFlight database for pilot reference.

“EAA shares The Spirit of Aviation like no other organization, from mega-events such as Oshkosh to the thousands of local chapter fly-ins, rallies, and airport pancake breakfasts held every year,” said Ryan McBride, ForeFlight’s Head of Community. “This joint project with EAA will make our new capability more comprehensive and useful as it brings information on the aviation gatherings that add so much to the pilot experience.”

Local EAA events must be listed on the online EAA calendar of events to be included in the upcoming ForeFlight capability. More details on listing local events are available through the EAA chapter office.

About ForeFlight

ForeFlight, a Boeing company, is the leading provider of advanced integrated software for the General, Business and Military Aviation markets worldwide. Founded in 2007 and joining the Boeing family in 2019, ForeFlight now offers ForeFlight Mobile EFB and Military Flight Bag for pilots, ForeFlight Dispatch for flight planners, Sentry portable ADS-B receivers, and a range of additional integrated products and capabilities serving the needs of pilots and flight departments around the world. Learn more at foreflight.com.

B-52 and C-17 Highlight U.S. Air Force EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

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B-52 and C-17 Highlight U.S. Air Force Materiel Command Aircraft for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

Five aircraft representing AFMC to highlight static displays on Boeing Plaza

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 20, 2024) — The massive B-52 bomber and C-17 Globemaster highlight the confirmed aircraft representing the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) during the  EAA AirVenture Oshkosh annual showcase of Air Force commands. The 71st edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The five airplanes displayed on Boeing Plaza will exhibit the mission of the Materiel Command, which handles the discovery, development, and testing of weapons systems used by the Air Force on all of its aircraft. Those aircraft include:

B-52H Bomber Stratofortress – The B52H is a long range, strategic bomber that can trace its origins all the way back to 1945. The bomber can carry up to 80,000 pounds of ordinance and has a combat-range of up to 8,800 miles. This aircraft is based out of Edwards Air Force Base in California.

F-15EX Eagle II – The F-15EX is a variant of the F-15E “Strike Eagle,” designed to further improve upon and update the F-15E, including better avionics and a revised wing structure that increased service life to 20,000 hours.

C-17 Globemaster III – The C-17 is a large cargo airplane, capable of airlifting heavy-duty military equipment and has been used to aid in humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of numerous natural disasters. Each of the four Pratt and Whitney engines produce 40,400 pounds of thrust, leading to an operational range of nearly 3,000 miles.

Beechcraft C-12 Huron – The C-12 is the military designation for a series of twin-prop aircraft based on the Beechcraft 1900 and Super King Air. C-12 aircraft are used for various purposes such as light cargo transport, embassy support, and medical evacuation.

X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle – The X-40 is an unmanned, unpowered glide test vehicle created as a test platform for the X-37 Future-X reusable launch vehicle. It was originally created by Boeing and was then transferred to NASA, which modified it to conduct further testing. The X-40 will be on display along with a B-52 munitions display inside a tent adjoining Boeing Plaza.

The AFMC will be bringing a large number of personnel who will be describe  their mission and  plans  for the future. The AFMC will also be featured during an evening program at the Theater in the Woods on July 27, where the focus will be test pilot school and the impact on global aviation.

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.