Part One In A Series

by ANN Correspondent Larry Stencel

Oshkosh! Very few place names will put a smile on the face of a pilot faster. Most have either been to "Oshkosh" or want to ‘some day.’ With less than three weeks to go before The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration - AirVenture 2008 - begins in that normally quiet central Wisconsin city of 62,000, pilots and aviation enthusiasts from all around the World are finalizing their preparations and looking forward with great anticipation to their attendance at the 56th annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), headquartered there. Oshkosh ... the aviation "fever" begins every July.

Do you have it?

During one week each year, the population of Oshkosh swells many times over when more than 500,000 aviation devotees descend upon the Wittman Regional Airport to get their annual dose of all things aviation. In some years past, it has been estimated that there were nearly as many people living on or near the airport as populate that City on the western shore of Lake Winnebago itself. Living in tents under their airplanes, in RVs on and near the field, occupying every motel room, dormitory, campground and available private home for miles around, the attendees come, year after year.

And the people of Oshkosh welcome them. It would be hard to find a public establishment in or near Oshkosh that doesn’t have a sign displayed out front proclaiming … "Welcome EAA." Oshkosh isn't just about airplanes, it’s about the people, too; the locals who welcome the convention-goers, as well as those that attend.

Well in advance of the air show, an army of willing volunteers -- some who have been helping out for years -- is already in place preparing the EAA grounds for the expected throngs. Asking for little more than a smile or a "Thanks" from those they help, this annual convention could never work as efficiently or smoothly as it does without them. And, the EAA itself works year around preparing for this one magical week in Wisconsin each summer. Oshkosh is a well-honed convention which improves each and every year.

When a first time attendee gets his or her first glimpse of the massive number of airplanes parked, well, everywhere on the Oshkosh airport, it might seem as if every machine capable of flight is already there. In recent years, more than 10,000 total airplanes -- around 2,500 of them showplanes -- fly into Oshkosh. It’s tough to count them all because they come and they go... some visit for the entire week, others come for just a day or two. Whatever the true numbers, there are a heckuva lot of airplanes on the field … more than most folks will ever see anyplace else. You’ll see rare one of a kind machines and common every day "spam cans." And they don’t just sit; daily flybys and air shows offer the opportunity to see these machines overhead, as well; the skies are always buzzing. The Warbird air shows are a favorite of most attendees. In this one place on earth, for one week each summer, you’ll see more airplanes than you can possibly digest. And you’ll experience mankind at its absolute finest.

For the seasoned veteran pilots who have been there, flying into the busiest airport in the world without using their radio, navigating the huge air show and grounds, finding suitable housing and transportation, finding a peaceful place to eat, and meeting new aviation friends are old hat; each has their Oshkosh "system" practiced and honed.

First time attendees, especially those who may not have done adequate pre-show preparations (but will wish that they did)... the learning process begins. The proportions involved in this event are beyond comprehension; unless you experience it, you can’t appreciate the magnitude of the Oshkosh EAA AirVenture fly-in. Adequate preparations, then, with backup planning is an absolutes must.

It remains to be seen what impact the high cost of fuel will have on attendance numbers this year. Since the great preponderance of convention attendees drive in, there are steps they can take to reduce those transportation costs. Likewise, there are ways that flyers can reduce both the cost and complexity of attendance while pegging their "fun" meters. Since Oshkosh is as much about family and friendships and vacation as it is aviation, one idea would be to combine them all together. Central Wisconsin has long been a summer vacation destination and there are a great deal of other activities available nearby to make a visit more enjoyable and efficient. Combine attendance at the fly-in with your family vacation and you’ll save money and make your family and friends happy, too.

Toward that end, one of our ANN Oshkosh 2008 "newbies" who summers in the area and has attended 25 conventions since 1977 will offer readers a series of articles aimed at familiarizing new attendees with the Convention and seasoned veterans with alternatives to make their visit to AirVenture and Central Wisconsin both more efficient and ... FUN!

Subsequent articles will cover the "other" airports in the vicinity, ideas for family activities offsite, obtaining housing and transportation, great places to eat as well as ways to understand and navigate the convention itself. Starting with the potential impact of the recent Wisconsin flooding most people have seen in the media, every few days leading up to AirVenture, we’ll present an article on these subjects, and more. Enjoy.

Airventure 2008... it's about airplanes, people and fun in Wisconsin. The staff of ANN hopes to see you there. So do the people of Oshkosh, WI.

FMI: www.airventure.org