Briefing: October 2018

This years AirVenture at Oshkosh was about as close as one could imagine to perfect, said EAA chairman Jack Pelton. Attendance set a new record, with about 601,000 visitors, nearly 2 percent more than last years record crowd. Pelton credited the combination of outstanding programs, aircraft variety, a robust economy and good weather, plus the efforts of EAA staff and 5000 volunteers, who created a show that was upbeat and exciting. Planning is already underway for AirVenture 2019, which will run from July 22 to 28. That show will celebrate EAAs 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

AirVenture 2018 achieved record attendance of over 600,000 visitors, credited to outstanding programs, diverse aircraft, and dedicated volunteer support.
A P-38 from the WWII "Lost Squadron" was located 340 feet deep in Greenland's glacial ice using drone-mounted radar, with plans for its recovery and restoration.
The Air Force is successfully using virtual reality simulators to accelerate pilot training, enabling faster learning of complex profiles at a significantly lower cost.
Boeing is establishing a new R&D center at MIT to focus on designing autonomous aircraft and developing next-generation aerospace and transportation technologies.

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EAA: AirVenture A Record-Breaker

This year’s AirVenture at Oshkosh was “about as close as one could imagine” to perfect, said EAA chairman Jack Pelton. Attendance set a new record, with about 601,000 visitors, nearly 2 percent more than last year’s record crowd. Pelton credited “the combination of outstanding programs, aircraft variety, a robust economy and good weather,” plus the efforts of EAA staff and 5000 volunteers, who created a show that was upbeat and exciting. Planning is already underway for AirVenture 2019, which will run from July 22 to 28. That show will celebrate EAA’s 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh.

Lost WWII Plane Found In Greenland

A nonprofit group searching for vintage aircraft in Greenland has reported they located the site of a P-38 wreck from the World War II “Lost Squadron,” buried about 340 feet deep in glacial ice. Arctic Hot Point Solutions surveyed the area using new ground-penetrating radar mounted on drones. Eight airplanes landed on the ice in July 1942 after they were delayed by weather and ran low on fuel. The crews were evacuated but the aircraft were abandoned, and gradually sank beneath the ice. The search team plans to recover and restore the P-38. Another P-38 from the Lost Squadron, known as “Glacier Girl,” was recovered in 1992 and now flies on the airshow circuit.