AirVenture Tips and Tricks Published to Aid Attendees Ahead of Time

EAA staff got together to share some of their favorite “insider” know-how ahead of next July’s AirVenture 2023.

First, the team went over the ins and outs of ticketing, sharing the best ways to snag early bird pricing or expedite entry into the AirVenture grounds. The deadline for Express Arrival and member-only Early Bird pricing is only a couple weeks away, on June 15th. Also, kids 18 and under are free attendees, part of the EAA's work with sponsors looking to corral the next generation of aviation professionals.

Second, the team recommends a rough game plan. "If you’ve never been to one of our conventions, this is important. AirVenture isn’t an event you attend; it’s something you do." They add that it's "not a spectator sport", like "going to a ballgame where you buy a ticket and just sit and watch." Between shopping the lines of interesting wares, attending presentations of every sort and description, grabbing hands-on training or window shopping for aircraft you can't afford, even a week isn't enough to get the show under your belt.

AirVenture grounds cover 1,500 acres of space, making a map a necessity to manage time efficiently. Perhaps their most important tidbit: The map is oriented around the flight line, with North pointing to the left. While the change may be intuitive to some, there's a core of aviators that may have a few vexing seconds as they try to make sense of things. Getting the lay of the land is essential, finding landmarks like the "North 40", "South 40", Warbird alley, the International Aerobatic Club, the 4 Corners, Boeing Plaza, the Museum, the Fun Fly Zone, and Camp Scholler helping newbies get their bearings.

Planning for transport is a whole thing all its own - will you rely on rideshare services? Shuttles? Personal vehicles? Check out the Oshkosh NOTAM for all the details. The AirVenture grounds are flanked by 4 offsite locations designated for pickups. While they should be the most streamlined way to operate, drivers new to the traffic flow may take a while to acclimate to the layout.

And that's just the first half of EAA's firehose of advice. Everything else, like sleeping arrangements, camping, buses, airshow planning, shopping, food, drinks, volunteering, and wearing comfy shoes all get some attention from the team's long-time veterans.

FMI: www.eaa.org