Oshkosh -- An Obvious Place to Find 'Em
But You Gotta Go!

Oshkosh.... We've had people say silly things like "They make overalls, don't they?"

Come ON!!! If you like antique-airplanes -- airplanes at all -- you know that Oshkosh means the biggest fly-in in the world.

If you don't like airplanes, it would be best to stay away during the last week of July when the EAA has their annual Air Venture. Billed as "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" it lives up to it's name.

When we start listing obvious places, like Oshkosh, to see antique airplanes, there isn't much reason to write a lot about it. They do that far better than we ever could, so here's their site where you can learn more: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

We took "our" newly restored 1939 Piper J-3 Cub from California to AirVenture 2009 in July. Our friends all followed along, so we wrote pages about our journey. Read how we took the Cub for an "AirVenture". And look for the pages that follow it as we tale it on a seven day cross country.

We'll Give You AirVenture Advice Anyway

2010: July 26-August 1
2011: July 25-July 31
2012: July 23-July 29

Why dates so far out? There are many people who attend year after year, so the limited number of hotel rooms are often booked a year in advance. Here's a direct link to their Where to Stay Page. Notice that their link to hotels and motels says "thousands of rooms still available OUTSIDE Oshkosh."

So if you're new to this, let's just advise you not to expect to get a hotel in Oshkosh. If you're deciding to go only a few months before, you'll be lucky to get a hotel in the next town, but don't get discouraged. Their site will aid you in finding accommodations either in hotels, dorm rooms or private houses.

There is a large camp ground adjacent to the field. (Though if you get one of the far away camp sites, it may seem like you're in the next town!) If you decide you really need to fly into Oshkosh, beware that some PLANES are parked in the next town, but you can camp under the wing of your plane if you want to. There are great shower and restroom facilities all over. And there is a store that opens in the main campground just for the air show.

Some exhibiting pilots return year after year, set up camp next to their plane, and have fun!

Tips for Surviving Oshkosh

There are plenty of places where you can buy food and drinks. There will be long lines right at lunchtime. Water is available free at water stations all around the airfield. They will remind you often to drink plenty of water... good advice to remember

Bring and WEAR plenty of sun screen. Wear a hat. Be prepared for a hot and sultry mid-west summer day or for a possible thunder shower. If you forget any of these, there are shops where you can buy them.

It's a HUGE air show. There are free shuttles to take you to key areas of the field, but you will still end up walking miles and miles. Wear comfortable shoes. Try to plan your visit so you don't end up going back and forth several times. (We've tried this... we still end up going back and forth several times!)

Then there are some obvious things.... take care with the aircraft. You're not kept away from most of them. Ask before you touch any of them. Don't let your camera or your sunglasses bump it when you lean in for a closer look. Don't smoke or eat on the flight line or near the airplanes.

We've had fun gathering with friends in Oshkosh. We've stayed in motels miles away and with friends in the campgound. If you like antique airplanes, include EAA AirVenture on your list and start your visit by concentrating on the lines of visiting antiques. Visit their museum. Take a flight in their 1929 Ford Tri-Motor and maybe others. It's all fun.

You can visit their museum at other times of the year too... and maybe have a chance to fly in planes that don't fly during the air show.

Find 'em, See 'em, Fly,'em! And have a great flight!
  Judy and Mark