EAA AirVenture Is On and It’s Going To Be Big and Safe

News
Written By Annamarie Buonocore

EAA AirVenture is ready to soar this year after having been canceled last year due to the pandemic. This year’s show dates are July 26 through Aug. 1. Get tickets at the EAA AirVenture website: www.eaa.org/airventure. Look into Express Arrival options that promise to make the experience smooth and safe. Also be sure to check the NOTAM (below and on the EAA website) for fly-in information. Look into downloading the AirVenture app onto your phone for added information about the event. Finally, on the EAA website, under the AirVenture link, there is a complete planning guide with information about where to stay, what to do and much more. Meanwhile, here are some highlights recently released by EAA with regard to special events during the show.

VAA 50th Anniversary Brings Multiple Aircraft Groups to Oshkosh

(All photos courtesy EAA)

Notable aircraft anniversaries and gatherings of beautiful airplane types are among the highlights this year as the Vintage Aircraft Association celebrates its 50th anniversary during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, July 26 – Aug. 1.

Among the featured aircraft in 2021 are Stinsons, commemorating their 100th anniversary held over from 2020, and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer family, to be joined by other Short Wing Pipers such as the iconic Vagabond, Clipper, Pacer, and Colt. Limited special parking areas have been established for these two groups. Stinson owners who want to participate should contact the Stinson Owners Group at www.stinsonowners.org, while Short Wing Piper owners should contact the Short Wing Piper Club atwww.shortwingpiperclub.org.

There are numerous other notable vintage aircraft gatherings at Oshkosh, including those held over from 2020. Owners should contact their type clubs (noted here if available) for additional Oshkosh information:

Due to limits on aircraft group parking areas at AirVenture, aircraft types may park together only if they arrive together. There is designated parking for past Oshkosh grand champion aircraft.

VAA officials also welcome a limited number of aircraft for its Affordable Aircraft area, which highlights how vintage aircraft provides a way into aviation ownership at an affordable price. Interested aircraft owners may contact VAA through that webpage, http://eaavintage.org/fun-and-affordable-display.

Aviation History of World War II Highlighted at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 

The aviation story of World War II will be told through special flying activities during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, as the event commemorates 75 years (plus 1) since the end of the conflict.

(All photos courtesy EAA)

The afternoon air shows on Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, will feature programs that chronologically recollect aviation history during that time, from U.S. involvement in the Eagle Squadron and American Volunteer Group “Flying Tigers” prior to Pearl Harbor and the Doolittle Raid, to the major battles in the European and Pacific theaters, including D-Day, and the eventual celebrations of V-E and V-J Days.

Airplanes involved will span the aircraft used by the Army Air Forces and U.S. Navy during that time, as well as a variety of international aircraft from that period. All will be involved in each of the 90-minute shows presented each day.

“EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is already the world’s largest annual gathering of warbird aircraft, so it’s natural that this big commemoration would take place here,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “The EAA Warbirds of America and other select owners of these magnificent aircraft will showcase the evolution of air power during that period and salute the people who built, flew, and maintained these aircraft 75 years ago.”

Among the aircraft featured will be the P-40 Warhawk, Supermarine Spitfire, P-38 Lightning, F6F Hellcat, C-47 Skytrain, Hawker Hurricane, P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress, and others.

When not in the air, these aircraft will be on display in the Warbirds area on the north end of the flightline. Select aircraft will also be featured on the showcase Boeing Plaza.

Wide Range of U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Aircraft Coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021

The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will bring a wide spectrum of its aircraft designed for unique missions as part of its presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, which takes place July 26-August 1.

(All photos courtesy EAA)

“As we’ve solidified the roster of aircraft from AFSOC this year, the variety of aircraft coming to Oshkosh is truly impressive,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Each of these aircraft have a distinct mission and role within AFSOC, and those stories will be told at AirVenture 2021.”

AFSOC is comprised of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen, who conduct special operations missions worldwide. Airmen who undertake AFSOC careers specialize in unique skills such as parachuting, scuba diving, rappelling, motorcycling, survival skills, and more. Aircraft in the command include specialized mobility aircraft such as the MC-130, CV-22, and C-146, strike aircraft such as the AC-130 gunship, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft such as the MQ-9 and U-28.

The AFSOC aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Thursday, July 29, and remain through Sunday, Aug. 1. There may be more than one of some models at Oshkosh. The aircraft roster includes (subject to change):

  • AC-130J Ghostrider

  • MC-130J Commando II

  • EC-130J Commando Solo

  • CV-22 Osprey

  • U-28A Draco

  • C-145A Combat Coyote

  • C-146A Wolfhound

  • MQ-9 Reaper

  • MC-12W Liberty

The AFSOC aircraft will be on ground display with several participating in air show flying demonstrations. In addition, AFSOC personnel will participate in an evening program at EAA’s Theater in the Woods on Saturday, July 31, to highlight the activities and mission of the Special Operations Command.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 NOTAM Released With Important Changes for Pilots Flying to Oshkosh

There are several important FAA-approved changes in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), featuring arrival and departure procedures for EAA's 68th fly-in convention July 26-Aug. 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. These changes are based on pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations.

The NOTAM, which is in effect from noon CDT on Thursday, July 22, until 8 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Aug. 1, outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports. The NOTAM was designed by the FAA to assist pilots in their EAA AirVenture flight planning.

Some of the 2021 changes include:

  • There are new ATC-assignable transition points approaching Oshkosh from the west that will ease holding and congestion. These points are at Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake, and Green Lake. They will be announced on the arrival ATIS when ATC puts them into use at times of highest traffic flows

  • Different start and ending dates for the NOTAM

  • The temporary Runway 18L/36R at Oshkosh (KOSH) has been reconstructed and is now 60-feet wide

  • Two VORs have been decommissioned (FAH and IKK)

  • Numerous editorial changes

"With AirVenture on hiatus last year, it is more crucial than ever to thoroughly read and understand the 2021 AirVenture NOTAM to ensure safe operations on arrival and departure for this year's event," said Sean Elliott, EAA's vice president of advocacy and safety. "We also urge all pilots to log appropriate cross country time prior to their trip to Oshkosh so they have the proficiency and confidence to fly safely in conjunction with a thorough knowledge of this year';s NOTAM."

EAA is also hosting a webinar on June 23 at 7 p.m. regarding flying to AirVenture 2021 and changes in this year's NOTAM. Pilots are encouraged to participate in that webinar to build their knowledge prior to their flights to Oshkosh.

This year's NOTAM cover features a photo from the EAA Seaplane Base. Pilots can download a digital version of the NOTAM at EAA.org/NOTAM, or order a free printed copy via that webpage or by calling EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322.



Annamarie Buonocore
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