EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 – An Opportunity For Fun & Forums To Learn & Engage

EAA Chairman Jack Pelton

OSHKOSH, WIS. – “It was a tremendous week on many levels,” stated EAA Chairman Jack Pelton during a press conference, August 3, 2014.

“We filled Wittman Regional Airport with aircraft for the first time in several years, with both aircraft camping and parking areas completely full at mid-week. The cooperation and support of the airport’s east side community made possible the historic first appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh, which brought in many people to our event. Exhibitors reported outstanding business throughout the week, with some selling out of product. We also had a tremendous amount of aviation innovation brought to Oshkosh with new airplanes and aviation technology, and our “KidVenture” youth area had a record attendance year.”

More than 500,000 people attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, with a total increase of five to six percent.

“Certainly the Thunderbirds’ first performances at Oshkosh helped the attendance, as Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3) saw 20 percent attendance increases from similar days in 2013,” said Pelton. “There was another factor, too – a renewed sense of optimism that was reflected in people coming to Oshkosh to celebrate the world of flight. You could feel it among the attendees, exhibitors and our 5,400 volunteers whose work made the event possible.”

Pelton made it clear at his opening press conference, July 28, that while everyone would miss seeing EAA Founder Paul Poberezny for the first time in the history of the event, members were there this year to honor his legacy and celebrate his many contributions, not to morn his loss. Poberezny died shortly after EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 on August 22 at the age of 91.

A new exhibit along Boeing Plaza featured photographs of Poberezny and many of his famous quotes. Members had the opportunity to write messages and sign their names on posters in memory of the founder. It was a way to say thank you for making EAA and AirVenture what it is today.

Opening night, there were two big attractions – a tribute to Paul Poberezny in Theater In The Woods, and a concert on Boeing Plaza featuring Kenny Loggins.

But Oshkosh was not all fun and games. Members had the opportunity to express their concern over FAA’s delay in reforming the Third-Class Medical.

At the first “Meet The Administrator” forum in two years, July 31, Pelton thanked FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta for attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, but did not waste any time in stating that EAA wanted the FAA to get moving on reforming “Third-Class Medical” requirements.

Huerta told the membership gathered that he knows how important this issue is to them, and that it was a high priority at FAA.

Relief from the requirement to obtain and carry a medical certificate may be just a few months away for many pilots, he said. The FAA signed off on a new proposed rule the week prior, and it was being forwarded to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for review. Once DOT has finished its review, the proposal will be available for public comment and ultimately rule making.

Huerta warned EAA members that it is better that the proposal goes through rule making at the FAA, rather than have Congress mandate a ruling, because there will be more flexibility to fine tune the final rule if the proposal goes through the normal rule making process. Pelton agreed, but EAA and AOPA will keep Congress involved to move the process along.

Huerta further suggested that once the proposed rule comes up for public comment, that EAA and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) members should try to keep their comments simple and to the point to reduce the amount of time needed to review each comment.

The proposed rule responds to a 2012 petition jointly filed by EAA and AOPA to expand the number of pilots who are not required to obtain a medical certificate.

Besides the movies each night at EAA’s outdoor theater, there were two night airshows on Wednesday and Saturday night to entertain attendees.

EAA’s annual Gathering of Eagles fundraiser held July 31, brought together a thousand supporters who helped raise more than $2 million in support of EAA’s youth education programs. The highlight of the fundraising auction was a one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang, with a design inspired by the new F-35 Lightning II fighter jet that went for $200,000.

There were 2,649 showplanes (308 more than in 2013), including 997 homebuilt aircraft, 1,050 vintage airplanes, 303 warbirds, 122 ultralights and light sport aircraft, 91 seaplanes, 40 rotorcraft, 38 aerobatic aircraft and eight (8) hot-air balloons.

More than 2,081 international visitors registered from 69 nations, with Canada (505 visitors), Australia (416), and Brazil (194) the top three nations. This total includes only non-U.S. visitors registered at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.

There were 917 media representatives on-site, from five continents.

Save the dates! EAA AirVenture 2015 will be held July 20-26.

“We’re already planning for 2015, with more details coming as soon as we finalize them,” said Pelton.

“Legendary aircraft innovator Burt Rutan indicated he would like to return to Oshkosh in 2015 to share some innovations with the aviation community. We’re eager to bring the soon-to-be-restored B-29 “Doc” here for a public showing as part of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights that you can only see at Oshkosh.”

Information updates will be posted at www.airventure.org.

This entry was posted in All Features, EAA & AirVenture, Features, October/November 2014 and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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