The Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2010 AirVenture Oshkosh is upon us! I’m sure many of you are in the final stages of preparing to make the annual voyage to Wittman Regional Airport. This year’s event will be held July 26 through Aug. 1.
Some of the phrases on the Experimental Aircraft Association’s web site to describe the AirVenture are “The World’s Greatest Airshow” and “The Spirit of Aviation.” Aviation passion, sense of community, enthusiasm, and the adrenaline rush are other words used to describe why hundreds of thousands of people from around the world gather together for one week of aviation. Last year the EAA reported 578,000 people attended with more than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport and surrounding airports, and 2,662 aircraft were registered as showplanes.
There’s definitely something for everyone at AirVenture. Whether it’s attending hands-on technical workshops, forums to learn the latest issues relating to aviation or a certain aircraft type, or talking to companies about their latest products — numerous educational opportunities exist. If it’s aircraft you want to see, you’re at the right place with new and old, homebuilt, kit-built, warbird, rotorcraft, antique, vintage, and ultralight, all at the same place at the same time. My favorite is talking with all the like-minded people, meeting old friends, and just sitting under the wing of an airplane taking it all in. Of course a visit to Pioneer Airport and walking around the old hangars and displays is always a treat.
One of the highlights for 2010 AirVenture Oshkosh will be the 75th anniversary celebration of the Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which includes attendance of an estimated 25 DC-3/C-47 aircraft. I’m sure that some of the readers of AMT have or currently are maintaining the old DC-3.
I attended my first AirVenture in 1972 with my father — then simply known as the Oshkosh FlyIn. It just seemed natural to attend ever since. I’ve missed some over the years and it certainly has changed and grown over the decades, but still a “must-do” event for us passionate aviation folks. There’s so much to do and see at AirVenture you’ll have to visit www.eaa.org or www.airventure.org to learn more.
This month’s issue of AMT contains articles relating to general aviation and recreational aircraft. Our story regarding blueprint reading comes from a new contributor Marty Holzer. We also have an article on some of the latest happenings with one of the reciprocating engine manufacturers in this country Teledyne Continental Motors. You might also find the update from the FAA Safety Team (FAAST) on the Aviation Maintenance Technician’s Awards Program interesting. This awards program is open to both individual aviation maintenance technicians and aviation maintenance employers, and is well worth learning more about.
How many of you plan on attending 2010 AirVenture Oshkosh? Several of the AMT staff will be there and if you see us walking around or attending one of the events please stop and say hello.
Celebrate aviation! I’ll see you at Oshkosh, Ron
