It was a record week for EAA as 601,000 people attended AirVenture 2018 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to the association.
EAA was ecstatic to report this year’s other numbers. More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport and other airports in the region, including nearly 3,000 show planes. Attendance was up about 2 percent compared with last year’s record show.
“A ‘perfect’ event may be unattainable, but AirVenture 2018 came about as close as one could imagine,” said EAA president and CEO Jack Pelton. “The combination of outstanding programs, aircraft variety, a robust economy and good weather combined to complement the efforts of our staff and 5,000 volunteers throughout the grounds. The week was upbeat, exciting and filled with many ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments.”
Thunderstorms on Wednesday night forced the cancellation of the night airshow, which was rescheduled for Thursday and held as planned on Saturday night. Intermittent IFR conditions the weekend before the show also delayed many arrivals, but good weather to open AirVenture allowed a rush of aircraft to arrive with more than 2,000 operations on Sunday.
Otherwise, it was a fantastic week, with the AirVenture grounds bustling with activity. With this year’s show only a memory, EAA is already looking ahead to a very special AirVenture next summer.
“We are celebrating our 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh during 2019, so we’ll be looking back on a half-century of unforgettable highlights at Wittman Regional Airport, and planning activities that involve EAA’s hometown and its unique place in aviation history,” Pelton said. “While 2018 is barely in the record books, we’re talking to many groups and individuals with intriguing new ideas for aircraft, innovations, exhibits, and events. We’re already planning for 2019 and looking forward to announcing features and attractions very soon.”
