AirVenture Attendees: "We Like It!"

By ANN Contributor Rose Dorcey

The 2004 AirVenture theme, "Launching the Next Century of Flight," seems to have permeated the thoughts of this year's attendees and filled them with warm fuzzy feelings about the event. Of the scores of people I've spoken with since arriving two days before the start of the fly-in, I've heard only positive things about this year's event. The general reaction is one of growth and looking ahead. We see it in the new Sport Pilot Rule, the recent contributions of Dick Rutan to private space flight, and in EAA's phenomenally successful Young Eagles program.

While roaming the AirVenture grounds, I asked attendees what they hope to get out of the fly-in and what their impressions were of this year's event.

Dennis Holland and Bill Denis came from Ft. Walton Beach (FL) to escape the Florida heat, and they love the mild Wisconsin weather. They also want to learn more about new types of aircraft and new technology for homebuilders, and see some great air shows.

"The weather is great, and we'll learn so much this week," said Holland.

This is just the second year that Donita and Robert Lampkin of Mission (KS) have traveled to Oshkosh in their Cherokee 140. They felt the fly-in procedures were easier this year. They also liked the changes to the grounds, such as the new food court area. They hope to learn more about the new Sport Pilot certificate and gather information on various models of Light Sport Aircraft. Donita is interested in earning her Sport Pilot certificate and perhaps building an aircraft.

Larry Landucci of Verona (WI) has been to AirVenture about a half-dozen times. A pilot for just four years, Landucci is here to find gadgets and last-minute parts to complete his airplane. He also takes advantage of the recurrent training opportunities available to pilots at AirVenture by attending several safety seminars.

"I just got here about a half-hour ago, but it's great," he said. "I always enjoy it. I'll go home with things I need, and several things that I don't!"

RJ Ferguson and his wife Kate are fifteen-year veterans of AirVenture and arrived in Oshkosh from St. Joseph (MI) a week early. The couple is here to relax and enjoy airplanes. "It's so visitor-friendly. It's very well organized," they said. "It's changed so much in fifteen years, but it's great!"

FMI: www.airventure.org