Weather Early In The Week Is Cited As The Primary Factor

The final numbers are in, and EAA President and CEO Tom Poberezny says that even though attendance numbers were down slightly, AirVenture 2010 was a successful event with more planned for 2011. "The preparations for this year's event were the most challenging in my 35 years as chairman, as the rain in July caused major setbacks as we got ready for AirVenture," said Poberezny. "However, it's not how you begin, it's how you finish. Through the dedication of our volunteers and staff, as well as the support of the Oshkosh region and the aviation community, AirVenture 2010 remains the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration, with programs and activities that can be found nowhere else."

Rain was the big story for the week leading up to AirVenture. Days of heavy precipitation led to soggy fields where both airplanes and campers would normally spend the week. The final attendance figures released Monday by EAA showed 535,000 attendees, a decrease of 7 percent from 2009. "We had expected to have a slightly lower attendance figure this year after last year's blockbuster event," Poberezny said. "This year's weather challenges early in the week also had an effect. The second half of the week, however, was outstanding, especially with such activities as those on Saturday that included the night air show. We were not only very pleased with the attendance figures, but also with the positive response and the upbeat spirit from all those who attended."

No Wake Zone

There were stories through the week of people making the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Many of those in the larger "Class A" motorhomes who were directed to strip mall parking lots and other hard surfaces decided to stay put even when the campgrounds could support their vehicles. "They're treating it like a week-long tailgate party," said EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski during one briefing for the media. EAA arranged for buses to run to these makeshift campgrounds, and even to some of the farther-flung airports.

In total, more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. There were 2,380 showplanes, including 1,106 homebuilt aircraft, 635 vintage airplanes, 374 warbirds, 115 ultralights, 120 seaplanes and 30 rotorcraft.

Airplanes Parked Along 18-31 Taxiway Early In The Week

777 vendors displayed their wares, up from 750 in 2009. The number of international visitors was nearly equal to last year, with 2,167 visitors registered from 66 nations, with Canada (586 visitors), Australia (350), and Brazil (221) the top three nations. EAA notes that this total includes only non-U.S. visitors who register at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.

The number of estimated campers, both in the fly-in and drive-in camping areas, was estimated at more than 36,000, and there were 979 media representatives on-site from five continents.

We're glad they didn't all show up for every media breakfast.

AeroShell T-6 After Their Night Airshow Performance

Poberezny says after this year's strong showing, he's looking forward to next year's event, which (mark your calendars) is slated for July 25-31. It will be the first AirVenture without a Poberezny in the President and CEO position, as Rod Hightower will take over in that capacity in September. What is there to look forward to? "While we'll continue to develop programs and activities in the coming months, AirVenture has already been designated a major event by the U.S. Navy for its Centennial of Naval Aviation celebration in 2011," Poberezny said. "The overwhelming positive response to our inaugural night air show on July 31 also solidifies our plan to do it again next year. We already have ideas to make it even better in 2011. Our goal is to make next year's AirVenture to be an event that you don't want to miss."

Tom Poberezny, Rod Hightower

You can bet ANN will be there.

FMI: www.eaa.org