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Oshkosh Flying Memories

A trio of standout flights to EAA AirVenture show how we remember these moments even when times are rough.

The author in the midst of formation training in front of the Nanchang CJ-6A she flew into AirVenture. [Photo: Julie Boatman]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article emphasizes how novel experiences, particularly attending EAA AirVenture (Oshkosh), create vivid and lasting memories, contrasting with the "memory blur" caused by the pandemic's routine.
  • The author recounts their memorable first Oshkosh visit in 1996, which involved landing at a satellite airport (Fond du Lac) due to Wittman Field being full.
  • Other distinct fly-in memories include a thrilling Warbird Arrival in a Nanchang CJ-6A, surprising the author with a massive audience, and a highly precise, "hover-taxi" like landing of a new Cessna 162 Skycatcher.
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When you do something new, your brain recalls it with clarity. I think that’s why EAA AirVenture—Oshkosh—has formed a touchstone for my memories of summer for the 25 years I’ve made the pilgrimage.

I’ve read recently about the effect the pandemic has had on our memory, as we’ve gone from a world that moves us around—taking us new places and showing us new faces—to one that stops at the mailbox and inbox. We have trouble encoding memories into our long-term storage—and recalling them with accuracy—when the background remains the same day after day.

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