OSHKOSH, WI — The newest aircraft of the U.S. Air Force and Navy will headline America’s largest aviation event this week with the return of EAA AirVenture.
A week long aviation experience kicks-off Monday, July 26, and continues through Sunday. Educational events and a huge air show will highlight AirVenture from Wittman Regional Airport.
The GEICO Skytypers Airshow Team, AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and civilian aerobatics are scheduled to perform. Patty Wagstaff piloting her Extra 300LX, Mike Goulian, Rob Holland, and Skip Stewart are a few of the pilots who will showcase a dizzying array of maneuvers.
“This is already an outstanding all-star air show lineup and we’re just getting started,” EAA’s vice president and Airshow coordinator Rick Larsen expressed. “There is a high energy among the air show community to get back to Oshkosh, whether it’s returning performers (or) new air show acts.”
EAA AirVenture Performers, Events, and Fly-in
AirVenture is more than just the air show, it is built around networking and education. Fellow aviators can attend forums and workshops to discuss commercial and private aviation and spaceflight.
The Air Force will be represented as the F-16C Viper Demo and a few A-10C Warthogs perform. A Lockheed U2 Spirit stealth bomber is also scheduled flyover the airfield.
“Viper Demo Team is always a popular attraction at air shows across the country, and we’re very excited to welcome it back to Oshkosh,” AirVenture air show director of operations Dennis Dunbar said. “The F-16 has been an important piece of the U.S. Air Force arsenal for over 40 years and is still an impressive aircraft to watch.”
Two popular jet aircraft of the Navy will perform, including a joint Legacy Flight. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers will fly high speed flat passes and thunderous maneuvers.
Six World War II-era aircraft flown by the GEICO Skytypers will perform aerobatic precision flying. The warbirds perform low-level maneuvers and type huge dot matrix messages across the sky.
“We’re especially excited to perform during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,” GEICO Skytypers flight leader Larry Arken told AvGeekery. “We utilize six WWII-era training aircraft to conduct our flying demonstration. It’s an honor to demonstrate the amazing abilities of our vintage warbirds.”
Air shows are schedule to begin at 2:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Featured static aircraft include F-15E Strike Eagle, C-17 Globemaster, and a KC-135 Stratotanker.
Guests can fly aboard a few historic aircraft, including a Ford Tri Motor, or the B-25 Mitchell Berlin Express. Located at the Warbirds Experience, flights are available for purchase on a first come bases.
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
