Watching Flocks Of Similar Airplanes Arrive At AirVenture Can Be Fun, But It Can Also Affect Other Arrival Patterns

As aircraft from around the world again make their way to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, hundreds of aviators gather together to arrive at ‘The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” in flocks of similar aircraft, creating their own communities along the flightline. This flocking together is referred to as a “mass arrival,” and other arriving traffic needs to be prepared for possible delays.

If arriving at Wittman Regional Airport during EAA AirVenture as a group of similar airplanes, a lot of advance planning is required. This is not something you can simply put together a day ahead of your trip and expect it to run smoothly. Oshkosh mass arrivals each operate with a specific FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA). Participation is open only to members of the authorized groups, each of whom spends countless hours preparing and practicing specifically for these unique arrival procedures.

The mass arrivals present a unique and exciting visual experience, if you are already on the ground, and for those AirVenture attendees who have never seen one before, they are not to be missed.

In previous AeroSports Update reports we have covered the procedures for VFR arrivals as they are presented in the special AirVenture NOTAM. If you arrive at the same time that a mass arrival is showing up, you can expect to be placed into a VFR arrival holding pattern. Be sure to check the NOTAM for the locations and procedures for these arrival holding patterns. It’s another reason to be well-stocked with fuel before reaching Wittman Regional.

The Cherokee and Mooney groups each expect 30 aircraft to participate in their mass arrivals, 80 Cessnas will be flying together, and 120-150 Bonanzas are expected. Here is a list of some planned arrival times:

• Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. – Cherokees
• Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. – Bonanzas
• Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. – Cessnas
• Sunday, July 24 at 11 a.m. – Mooneys

If you happen to be flying one of the types of airplanes that are listed for the mass arrival, you may not simply join in. It’s too late now; just fly a standard arrival as listed in the NOTAM.

Have fun and be safe.

(Image from EAA press release)

FMI: www.eaa.org