Airplane Types Unlock AirVenture Locations for Parking, Camping

So you’re finally an airplane owner. The best place to park and camp at AirVenture in Oshkosh largely depends on what kind you have.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, July 03, 2024 at 09:21 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Your aircraft type and year of manufacture dictates where you’re allowed to camp at EAA AirVenture, so plan accordingly. [Credit: Larry Griffiths]

Key Takeaways:

A pilot's 1973 Bellanca Super Viking does not qualify for EAA AirVenture's vintage aircraft categories (cutoff 1971), meaning it must be parked in the general admission "North 40" or "South 40" areas.
The North 40 offers proximity to amenities, businesses, and excellent runway views for arrivals and departures, but is characterized by persistent noise from an adjacent interstate.
The South 40 provides a more peaceful and quiet camping experience with improving amenities and closer access to the ultralight strip, though it offers fewer direct views of runway activity.

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My good friend Chris recently bought his first airplane. It’s over half a century old and has a wooden airframe covered in fabric. He loves it and has been looking forward to flying it to as many fly-ins and get-togethers as possible.

As is the case with any first-time airplane owner, he’s pretty excited and has been asking me all kinds of thoughtful questions about the logistics of flying into the biggest aviation celebration in the world, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One of his first questions pertained to the geography of the July 22-28 event and in what area he should plan to park and camp.