Aerial Photos Of The Airventure Grounds

By Robbie Culver

On Monday July 26th, 2010, the Aero News staff went for an aerial tour of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds in a Bell 47 helicopter. Looking down at AirVenture, the effect of the wet, soggy conditions rapidly becomes apparent.

Oshkosh Bell 47

Camp Schoeller is spread out into the western edges of the camping area, with wide gaps in the central campoing section left blocked off. RV's and campers fill every available spot of concrete, including all side roads and driveways adjacent to Camp Schoeller.

The vintage parking area was fairly typical, with only smaller areas unusable. Rows of Stinsons and various biplanes filled the area south of the red barn.

Vintage Aircraft Parking Area

Looking down on the show center, AeroShell Square was beginning to fill with various specialty aircraft as is typical for opening day. The homebuilt parking sections were also well populated.

Aeroshell Square

But once the helicopter turned and flew adjacent to the north edge of the show grounds, the real impact of the water was revealed. The entire North 40 parking area was empty. For an opening day at AirVenture, this may be unprecedented. The typical endless rows of general aviation aircraft were nowhere to be seen, and only small areas of camping were seen.

North 40

It also seems to be much the same story for the South 40 parking area, which was also empty and desolate. In general, large areas of the airport grounds were affected, and much of the parking areas for aircraft and vehicles remains very muddy and wet.

FMI: www.eaa.org