EAA Airventure Oshkosh Again Welcomes Mass Aircraft Arrivals To
Kick Off Fly-In
As aircraft from around the world again make their way to EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh this summer, 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 flight line. The 57th annual edition of AirVenture, the
organization's fly-in convention, is July 27-August 2 at Wittman
Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The aircraft groups scheduled to arrive en masse at Oshkosh in
2009 include Cessna 150s and 152s, in honor of the Cessna 150's
50th anniversary; plus Beech Bonanzas and groups of Cessnas,
Mooneys, Comanches and custom-built Van's RV airplanes. In
addition, groups of warbirds such as the T-6, T-28, T-34 and
Nanchang "Red Stars" will arrive as groups during the afternoon air
show on Monday, July 27.
"The mass arrival of aircraft always creates a unique visual
spectacle and is a favorite of those early attendees at
AirVenture," said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman/president and
AirVenture chairman. "These aircraft owners travel together not
only to create a memorable landing visual, but also because they
know the shared experience of arriving and camping together at
Oshkosh forms unforgettable memories and lifetime friendships among
their fellow aviators."
The mass arrivals scheduled July 24-26, are coordinated between
EAA, FAA and the individual aircraft groups. Pilots in the mass
arrivals receive thorough briefings prior to arriving at Oshkosh,
and scheduled arrivals could be altered due to weather or other
factors.
Each mass arrival group is limited in size. Additional aircraft
are welcome to join some of the mass arrivals until the allowable
limit is reached. Total aircraft numbers are expected to be similar
to 2008 totals. The current schedule of EAA AirVenture mass
arrivals include (all times are Central and approximate arrival
times), along with contacts for those groups still open:
- Friday, July 24, 10 a.m. - Cessna 150/152 (www.cessna150152.com/)
- Saturday, July 25, 1 p.m. - Beech Bonanzas (www.b2osh.org/)
- Saturday, July 25, 2:30 p.m. - Cessnas (www.cessnas2oshkosh.com/)
- Saturday, July 25, 4 p.m. - Mooneys (www.mooneycaravan.com)
- Sunday, July 26, 11:30 a.m. - Piper Comanches (JJMiller@who.rr.com)
- Sunday, July 26, 1:30 p.m. - Van's RVs (Participants in Team RV
formation training only)
- Monday, July 27, 3:30 p.m. - T-6, T-28, T-34, Nanchang Red
Stars (Participants in Formation and Safety Training groups only)
"The mass arrivals are coordinated to flow smoothly with the
thousands of other aircraft arriving at Oshkosh at the start of
AirVenture," said Joe Schumacher, AirVenture's director of aircraft
operations. "Those who participate in the group arrivals eagerly
await the opportunity to join their flying friends each year by
making their own pilgrimage to Oshkosh, where the world of flight
comes together in one place."