Introduction

Context . . .
 
So this was the time big to tick off another ‘bucket list’ item – attend the week long Experimental Air Adventure air show and convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
 
It is something that I had been meaning to do for quite a few years but somehow never got around to attending, even when I was working in nearby Chicago.   The event is the 'mecca' for amateur builders and their aircraft, although lately it has become an excuse for all the aircraft, avionics and related industries to showcase their products and services.  And there is also the world's largest collection of warbirds and vintage planes on display and flying.

What is Oshkosh . . .

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was founded in 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for people who were building or restoring their own recreational aircraft.  The first EAA fly-in was held in 1953 in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee). In 1959, EAA fly-in moved to Rockford, Illinois. When it outgrew its facilities at the Rockford airport, the EAA fly-in moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1970.

Attendance . . .

It is estimated that 10,000–15,000 aircraft visit Wittman Field each year during the fly-in. The EAA estimates that between between 300,000-500,000 people attend each year – and some (like me) and on multiple days.  It is the biggest civilian airshow in the United States and people come from all over the US and around the world.


I was intrigued to learn that there were probably more non-pilots than pilots amongst the Aussies that I spoke with . . . and some people have been to Oshkosh many times over the years.  The unstoppable Bill, who is 88 years old, was on his 26th trip and numerous others were on their sixth or seventh trip - and a whole lot of those people were here last year as well.  I am delighted that they all enjoy themselves, but frankly once will be enough for me.

Oshkosh Itself . . .

The town is home to some 66,000 people.  Oshkosh itself was named for Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name meant "claw" Although the fur trade brought the first European settlers to the area as early as 1818, it never became a major player in the fur trade. It was the establishment and growth of the lumber industry in the area that spurred development of the town of Oshkosh. At one time, Oshkosh was known as the "Sawdust Capital of the World" due to the amount of lumber mills.  

Around 1900 Oshkosh was home of the Oshkosh Brewing Company, which coined the marketing slogan "By Gosh It's Good." Its Chief Oshkosh became a nationally distributed beer.
Most people know Oshkosh for Oshkosh B’Gosh, a manufacturer of overalls and children's clothing founded in Oshkosh in 1895. Originally a small-town manufacturer of adult work clothing, it became best known for its children's lines. Despite the name, OshKosh B'Gosh overalls are no longer made in Oshkosh, though the company maintains corporate offices there.

Arrangements  . . .
 
The big picture is that I departed Oz on Saturday 27th July and travelled via Los Angeles, Detroit to Appleton and then by car the last 20 miles south to the city of Oshkosh.  I stayed at the University of Wisconsin student accommodation and attended the air show every day – eventually departing for home on Tuesday 6th August and of course arriving home two days later on Thursday 8th August.

A Bit of a Plan . . .

The air show itself is a huge event and difficult to comprehend without a bit of a plan.  The EAA website has a good planning tool (which I used), but fundamentally I chose to break the entire event down into its components and tackled them as systematically as I could. 

First there are the main display sections, or neighbourhoods as the EAA calls them . . . International Aerobatic Club, Warbirds, Homebuilts, Vintage, Ultra lights (light planes and rotorcraft) and the Seaplane Base.  These more or less are in a north to south line to the west of Runway 18 - 3 and I tried to tackle one of these on separate days so I could have good look around. 

Second, there are many pavilions and displays spread out to the west of the 'neighbourhoods'.  The Phillips 66 Plaza is more or less the centre of the show and it has a number of very interesting warbirds and other aircraft (some on rotation) and it also is the location of the main stage.  Nearby is the Innovations Pavillion (where there were some interesting speakers), College Park, Fly Market and the Aeromarket Display.  

Third, four very large Exhibit Hangars (A, B, C and D) contain many vendors wanting to show of their own and third party wares. Pavand four very large Exhibit Hangars.  I chose to deal with these as systematically as I could by sectioning the various display areas and visiting a limited number each day.

Fourth, there are many workshops, forums and demonstrations - in fact it is simply impossible to see/do them all.  These occurred in many of the venues above as well as the FAA facility and the various workshops and pavilions in the Homebuilt area.  I tried to be as systematic as I could so I attended the ones that interested me.

Last, there was the daily air show and two night shows.  Frankly this became a bit tedious, but I did make sure I watched some of most the show on most days.