By Annie Vogel | August 3, 2021 Estimated reading time 8 minutes, 32 seconds.
After a challenging year fraught with lockdowns, isolation, and layoffs, the aviation community breathed a sigh of relief when the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced it was moving ahead with plans to host its annual fly-in this year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Approximately 608,000 people attended the show, with 16,378 aircraft operations in the 10-day period from July 22 to 31, averaging 116 take-offs and landings an hour. This is the third time the EAA has had over 600,000 people in attendance, which is a great accomplishment considering the lack of international guests.
Trying to make up for lost time, thousands of pilots flocked to Wittman Regional Airport days in advance of the event — fueling record-high numbers on the Friday and Saturday before the show started. The atmosphere was electric as old friends embraced to the hum of engines overhead. Pilots from all over North America came together and commiserated over the challenges of 2020, and made resolutions for the year ahead. A new fire was ignited in the hearts of many attendees that replaced a sense of emptiness and loss from 2020.
“We went into this year not knowing what AirVenture would look like and how big of an event was possible. The aviation community spoke loudly, though – it was ready to come to Oshkosh and we were happy that we could welcome them,” said EAA CEO and chairman, Jack Pelton. “Our theme was ‘The Wait is Over,’ and indeed it was. And the wait was worth it. There was joy and excitement throughout the grounds, and it set the stage for the return of AirVenture, making us very excited for the future.”
The event went off without a hitch, like an organized, well-oiled machine that sprang back to life as though it had never missed a year. Thousands of aircraft filed through the famous “Fisk approach” to land at what was the busiest airfield in the world at the time. Skies Magazine correspondents had a chance to fly the Fisk arrival this year, and were surprised by the ease and simplicity of it. An immense amount of gratitude to all the volunteers who happily directed incoming traffic, excitedly helped attendants, and were the heart and soul of the whole event.
Although some exhibitors decided not to attend, it was difficult to notice any difference. The show grounds were packed with booths, static displays, and interactive exhibits. Seminars were firing off one after the other in the pavilions with dozens in attendance; every day the crowds grew larger than the last. A noticeable growth in attendance could be seen at Show Center, where thousands of people set up their seats and awaited the airshow that started at 2:30 p.m. every day.
This year’s airshow performers included Jeff Boerboon in his Yak-110, Kevin Coleman in his Extra 300 SHP, Patty Wagstaff in her Extra 330LX, Matt Younkin in his Twin Beech 18, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, the F-16 Viper Demo Team, Red Bull Air Force, and many more. The Goodyear Blimp circled overhead all week, and even had its own airshow performance where it displayed some unusual attitudes for the crowds below.
Another event that drew a lot of attention was the STOL Invitational, taking place at the Ultralight Field, where a dozen highly modified bush aircraft displayed their capabilities. For those who thought the STOL trend had plateaued, think again. The crowds had at least tripled in size since 2019, and the excitement around Mike Patey’s Carbon Cub, “Scrappy,” showed that off-airport flying isn’t going anywhere. Top contenders in the STOL Invitational included Steve Henry in his Highlander, and Canadian Jason Busat in his Rans Coyote — both highly modified, with a combined take-off and landing between 90 to 125 feet.
It wouldn’t be an “AirVenture” without some inclement weather. The event’s famed nickname, “Sloshkosh,” evolved to also include trending phrases like “Planenado” and “Night at the Museum,” after a severe storm passed through the state on Wednesday night. The severe weather warning was issued for southeastern Wisconsin, forecasting 95-mile-per-hour winds, hail, and possible tornadoes. Thousands of aircraft departed early seeking shelter at airfields outside of the line of fire, while those remaining reinforced their tie-downs and wrapped their airplanes in cardboard, plastic wrap, memory foam, and even mattresses.
The sky grew darker and the parties quieted down as the ominous storm approached. Two thousand people were evacuated to the EAA Aviation Museum, where they sought shelter in the basement and prayed the storm would leave them and their aircraft unscathed. As the storm drew closer — and severe weather alerts chimed on every cellphone — everyone braced for the worst, and whispered the words, “They’re just airplanes.” The ground shook and the skies rumbled as the storm passed overhead. All that could be seen was the flickers of lightning through the skylights above.
At least five tornados touched down in southeastern Wisconsin that early morning. The storm caused the most damage just 60 nautical miles south of the airfield; a sigh of relief could be heard from the EAA and its organizers as hundreds of irreplaceable aircraft were left unharmed.
Other AirVenture highlights included a growing presence of eVTOL-classed aircraft. Volocopter made its first U.S. demonstration on the field, and BlackFly showed the crowds that anything is possible as its uniquely designed aircraft took off. Toward the end of the week, there was a great military presence in the Boeing Plaza, where static displays included a V-22 Osprey and many other types.
As hundreds of thousands of attendees began their journey home, the EAA started to plan next year’s show. Congratulations to the event organizers for putting together such a fantastic event. We look forward to next year’s 69th EAA fly-in.
