AirVenture 2023 is underway!! Are you there, in person? Or are you following it remotely, like I am? My plans changed suddenly about two weeks ago, due to an unforeseen conflict, so I had to quickly change plans and cancel, so I could take care of other things. Darn! Just the way it goes sometimes. So, I’m trying to make the best of it. I will of course miss seeing the many, many, many friends, and colleagues that I only get to see each once a year there.
But thanks to the available technology, I am now able to follow AirVenture remotely, even though I’m not there! Did you know that it’s available online and you can watch remotely, from wherever you are, provided you have an internet connection, of course?
First, the AirVenture website, https://www.eaa.org/airventure/live
This page has a live feed from seven webcams located around the grounds, or ‘campus’ as it’s being called now. Farther down on this same web page is www.ATCLive.net which links to the ATC feed from the Fisk Arrival as well as the frequencies for both north and south OSH Tower, so you can listen to ATC controllers and the pilots. And you can also go to FlightAware.com and watch. Oh, and in case you aren’t aware, ATCLive also has an app for your device.
And, if this is not enough, EAA’s Media Group is busy and hard at work and produces a FREE newspaper every day during the show. Each issue is close to 50 pages. They must work all night, because several 1,000 copies are distributed around the area very early each morning, including all the UWO and other dorms, so they are ready for those attending to grab their copy on their way to breakfast in the morning or while waiting to catch the bus to the convention grounds! You can also read it online and find each days’ issue at https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/airventure-today-newspaper
Each year there are always several anniversaries of various historic aircraft to be recognized, as well as some firsts. A first this year is the recently restored, beautiful Lockheed C-121A Constellation, Bataan, which is owned by Air Legends Foundation. This year is its first trip to AirVenture since being completely restored. This is the cover story for today’s edition of EAA Today. Check it out!
There one word that really describes AirVenture. Over-whelming! There is SO MUCH to see and do that you really need to have an idea of what you would like to see and do. Some kind of plan. Or you may just end up wandering…there are: 4 exhibit halls. About 800 vendors. So many aircraft static displays. The flight line, which is miles long, with almost 10,000 aircraft parked on the grounds. The daily airshow every afternoon. The world-class museum. The seaplane basin. And more! Otherwise, it’s VERY EASY to get distracted by any number of things, including spotting someone you might know, a fly-by of an aircraft or something else….and that’s part of the fun and challenge of AirVenture. It’s almost impossible to see it all. The event planners outdo themselves every year! And everyone’s ‘Oshkosh’ experience is different because we all have different interests in aviation….and there’s only so much time….
So, enjoy!! -John
