Things you Never Knew About The World's Biggest Fly-In

By ANN Contributor Aleta Vinas

Ever wonder how many hot dogs are sold at Oshkosh EAA AirVenture? How many volunteers donate their time? Wonder no more, here are some little know facts about the air show, some are from 2002, some from 2003.

• Along with the permanent airport fencing, an additional 9.2 miles of snow fence and four miles of banner rope were used to guide visitors throughout the grounds.
• A total of 475 business, cellular and pay phones were activated specifically for the event. Another 495 two-way radios, operating on 15 assigned frequencies, were also activated for administration of the event.
• At AirVenture's 36 food sites, among the items served were: 329,694 beverages; 72,222 hamburgers; 130,305 hot dogs; 20,972 bratwursts; 46,751 orders of french fries; 55,241 ice cream cones and 15,304 ice cream bars.
• There were 1,089 portable toilets placed throughout the site. EAA AirVenture visitors utilized more than 14 million sheets of toilet paper.
• Total estimated 2003 attendance: 770,000

  

• Total estimated aircraft flown to the event (both at Oshkosh and surrounding airports): 11,000
• Total show planes at Oshkosh in 11 judging categories: 2,960 (record; previous record 2,743 in 1998). Includes 825 homebuilts, 1,224 vintage, 405 warbirds, 357 ultralight/light planes, 129 seaplanes and 20 rotorcraft.
• Registered media: 1,075 from five continents
• Commercial exhibitors: 807
• International visitors registered: 2,249 from 68 nations (Top three: Canada 516, South Africa 366 and Australia 266)
• Campers attending: An estimated 33,000 in Camp Scholler (vehicle camping) and aircraft camping areas combined
• Volunteers: More than 4,500 contributing an estimated 250,000 hours of service
• ExxonMobil tiger tails given away: About 9,000 -- 7,500 large tails and 1,500 small ones

(Special thanks to EAA's Dick Knapinski)

www.airventure.org