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Only Thing Better Than EAA AirVenture? Bringing Someone Who’s Never Been

It’s been hugely rewarding to share the annual fly-in experience with newcomers and see it through their eyes.

An extra 3-pound tent and an invite can provide a friend with an epic introduction to AirVenture. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh is highlighted as the premier annual general aviation event, attracting over 10,000 aircraft for a weeklong celebration of aviation.
  • The author details an evolving experience of the event, from attending as a student pilot and renter, to an enthusiast "mooching" off friends, and ultimately as an aircraft owner.
  • AirVenture offers an unparalleled immersive experience, characterized by a unique atmosphere, diverse aircraft sightings, and a strong sense of community among attendees.
  • The author emphasizes the joy of sharing the AirVenture experience with newcomers, viewing it as a "moral obligation" for aircraft owners to introduce others to the magic of general aviation.
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June is upon us, and with it comes eager anticipation for the general aviation event of the year, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After months of seemingly endless cold weather and extended hours of darkness, we’re on the brink of epic times with lifelong friends.

AirVenture (July 21-27) is a massive fly-in where over 10,000 airplanes arrive for a weeklong celebration of all things aviation. It’s best experienced as an airplane owner. There’s nothing quite like waking up beneath your own wing to the sound of P-51s taking off in formation only a few hundred feet away. “Bad” days are still fantastic, even when they involve heavy rain or clouds of mosquitoes so thick they deserve mention in METARs.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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