by The Kid Reporter!
Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2019 Issue
When I walked into the grounds at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year, July 22-28, 2019, I felt a warm breeze. The first thing we did was to observe people learning how to build an airplane. They were building the wings with fabric. There are a variety of workshops covering aircraft restoration and construction that are taught by skilled craftsmen, including working with fabric, composite materials, wood and sheet metal. There was also a welding station where they were welding aluminum.
We then went to the flight-line, where I saw some amazing planes like warbirds, and some unique water/land planes. There was one shiny, light blue plane that especially caught my eye. It was a P-51 Mustang named “Moonbeam McSwine”. This was my favorite plane, to be honest!
When the airshow got underway, we watched the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s fly by on their way to an airshow in Milwaukee. After they left, we watched other aerobatic acts for a while, then walked through the “Education and Career Center”. It was there that I talked to representatives from NASA. There was even a model of a futuristic plane. It had 10 propellers. That’s a lot!
The Education and Career Center features exhibits by colleges, universities, and technical schools that offer programs in aviation and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM-based curriculums. It is also the place for aspiring aviators to network with a variety of leading aviation companies and the airlines.
We then visited the “Innovation Showcase” where some of the industry’s heavyweights and exciting new start-up companies showcased their latest inventions for future flight and space.
There were also displays and demonstrations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or “drones,” which is a growing industry within the aviation world. The “Drone Cage” at AirVenture gives attendees the opportunity to actually fly a drone and learn how they are used.
Fun facts about me: My favorite plane is the P-51 Mustang. My favorite jet is the Stealth Bomber.
I hope to see you next year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 20-26, 2020. Reporting exclusively for Midwest Flyer Magazine, The Kid Reporter! ERW
