It's billed as the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration. Flight enthusiasts from around the world convene in northeast Wisconsin for what Dick Knapinski calls "a very big week" at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture in Oshkosh with an unmatched line-up of people, airplanes, and programs.
Richard Brandson's WhiteKnightTwo, the space tourism carrier vehicle will be there. The Predator B is on display at AirVenture. The un-manned spy plane made history last week, with its first landing at a civilian airport.
Also on tap, pilots Sully Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles, who safely landed the US Airways plane on the Hudson River, Comedian-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham — also a pilot — will perform, you'll see more than 2,500 showplanes, including homebuilts, vintage models, ultralights, and seaplanes, over 700 exhibitors, and Knapinski says, much more, including the world's largest passenger jetliner — the Airbus A-380 and up to 400 vintage warbirds, which hadn't been to Oshkosh in several years.
In addition to admiring the legendary aircraft of aviation's first 100 years, Knapinski says visitors will enjoy many upgrades, including the entryway, shade areas, food courts, and more benches. No more hit-and-miss wi-fi coverage, and they've added some flush toilets. EAA averages more than 500,000 attendants each year.
NOTE: The 57th annual convention runs from Monday, July 27 through Sunday, August 2nd.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:51 mp3)
