A Guide to Making the Most out of the World’s Biggest Airshow

EAA’s Oshkosh Airventure generates fun for all aviation lovers. 

You get a chance to see, touch, and maybe even take a ride in some of the coolest aircraft in the world. Amidst this chaotic, yet exciting experience, you may also find yourself with the opportunity to jumpstart your Aviation journey. As a pilot myself, I have seen how important these events can be to not only chat with experienced aviators, but also to inspire a lifelong passion for the industry. If this sounds appealing to you, then here are a few steps you can take to make the most out of Oshkosh this year.

Firstly, check out some of the flight training booths in the EAA Aviation Gateway Park. 

These grounds are reserved for institutes offering education, career, and training opportunities for aspiring aviators of all ages and levels of experience. For youth, visit the Young Eagles representatives at the EAA Blue Barn exhibit. This organization presents free flight opportunities for those aged 8-17 years. Plus, thousands of EAA chapters across the country host Young Eagles events, so there are likely to be several available close to home. For those who are slightly (or not-so-slightly) past being a member of the “youth”, stop by a few of the College, University, Flight School, or even Military booths. 

Several of the nation’s leading organizations have reserved sites this year, including Jet Access, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and the Civil Air Patrol. These are only a few out of hundreds of organizations that hold a spot this year, so you might want to look at the 2024 Exhibitor Layout on the EAA website. This could help you navigate the crowds and know what to watch out for before you arrive on-site.

Secondly, while you’re exploring, consider signing up for an aviation organization or two. As a start, there will be several representatives present from the Experimental Aircraft Association, and Women in Aviation International (for the ladies). Becoming a member of any one of these brings you into a community of other enthusiasts along with giving you support, endless resources, career planning, and potentially even discounts or scholarships.

Lastly, network, network, and network. If you’ve ever met a pilot, you know all of them love talking. From experience, aviators are almost always willing to share the details of their journey with others. You will surely meet many at booths or just by walking around, taking a breather from the excitement above you. If you’re feeling bold, maybe even ask for their phone number or email to use as an outlet for any other questions you may have. Getting to know the flight training process from several different perspectives gives you advice you wouldn’t find just in a Google search, and may even provide you with the encouragement you need to get started.

Despite the endless list of opportunities at Oshkosh this year, don’t forget to take a step back and enjoy yourself. Learning how to fly is not a short or painless process. When you’re staying up until midnight studying for a checkride, these kinds of experiences are what make you remember why you started. And hopefully, one day you’ll take the yoke and join the 10,000+ planes that make their way to Oshkosh every year!

FMI: https://www.eaa.org/airventure