Weather Early In The Week Is Cited As The Primary Factor
The final numbers are in, and EAA President and CEO Tom
Poberezny says that even though attendance numbers were down
slightly, AirVenture 2010 was a successful event with more planned
for 2011. "The preparations for this year's event were the most
challenging in my 35 years as chairman, as the rain in July caused
major setbacks as we got ready for AirVenture," said Poberezny.
"However, it's not how you begin, it's how you finish. Through the
dedication of our volunteers and staff, as well as the support of
the Oshkosh region and the aviation community, AirVenture 2010
remains the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration, with programs
and activities that can be found nowhere else."
Rain was the big story for the week leading up to AirVenture.
Days of heavy precipitation led to soggy fields where both
airplanes and campers would normally spend the week. The final
attendance figures released Monday by EAA showed 535,000 attendees,
a decrease of 7 percent from 2009. "We had expected to have a
slightly lower attendance figure this year after last year's
blockbuster event," Poberezny said. "This year's weather challenges
early in the week also had an effect. The second half of the week,
however, was outstanding, especially with such activities as those
on Saturday that included the night air show. We were not only very
pleased with the attendance figures, but also with the positive
response and the upbeat spirit from all those who attended."
No Wake Zone
There were stories through the week of people making the best of
a less-than-ideal situation. Many of those in the larger "Class A"
motorhomes who were directed to strip mall parking lots and other
hard surfaces decided to stay put even when the campgrounds could
support their vehicles. "They're treating it like a week-long
tailgate party," said EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski during one
briefing for the media. EAA arranged for buses to run to these
makeshift campgrounds, and even to some of the farther-flung
airports.
In total, more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional
Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.
There were 2,380 showplanes, including 1,106 homebuilt aircraft,
635 vintage airplanes, 374 warbirds, 115 ultralights, 120 seaplanes
and 30 rotorcraft.
Airplanes Parked Along 18-31 Taxiway Early In The
Week
777 vendors displayed their wares, up from 750 in 2009. The
number of international visitors was nearly equal to last year,
with 2,167 visitors registered from 66 nations, with Canada (586
visitors), Australia (350), and Brazil (221) the top three nations.
EAA notes that this total includes only non-U.S. visitors who
register at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual
international contingent is undoubtedly larger.
The number of estimated campers, both in the fly-in and
drive-in camping areas, was estimated at more than 36,000, and
there were 979 media representatives on-site from five
continents.
We're glad they didn't all show up for every media
breakfast.
AeroShell T-6 After Their Night Airshow
Performance
Poberezny says after this year's strong showing, he's looking
forward to next year's event, which (mark your calendars) is slated
for July 25-31. It will be the first AirVenture without a Poberezny
in the President and CEO position, as Rod Hightower will take over
in that capacity in September. What is there to look forward to?
"While we'll continue to develop programs and activities in the
coming months, AirVenture has already been designated a major event
by the U.S. Navy for its Centennial of Naval Aviation celebration
in 2011," Poberezny said. "The overwhelming positive response to
our inaugural night air show on July 31 also solidifies our plan to
do it again next year. We already have ideas to make it even better
in 2011. Our goal is to make next year's AirVenture to be an event
that you don't want to miss."
Tom Poberezny, Rod Hightower
You can bet ANN will be there.