“The numbers are looking very, very good” for this year’s EAA AirVenture, with 3,000 aircraft arrivals recorded on Sunday, 2,000 on Monday morning, and registered camping already up 4 percent over last year’s record-breaking numbers, according to EAA chairman Jack Pelton. This year’s gathering in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he said, is notable for commemorating the 100th anniversary of Britain’s Royal Air Force and WWI Aviation, the 80th anniversary of the North American T-6, and the 70th anniversary of the USAF Reserves, including the important role those forces play in the operation of the nation’s fleet of aerial tankers. Pelton said the USAF’s first KC-46A is a tentative arrival for later this week in Oshkosh and about 80 T-6s are expected on the grounds, including a flight of 40 that landed on Sunday. He teased that the Saturday night airshow would include an “audience participation” feature and be “very Hollywood.” Both Wednesday and Saturday night airshows will feature up to 60 drones. Meanwhile, he said the three-year-old EAA Innovation Center—the epicenter for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other innovative designs—continues to be a popular destination on the show grounds. “I have no idea where these projects will end up, but the technology and innovation that is coming out of these projects is something that all of general aviation can profit [from] and find another applicable path,” Pelton noted. “It reminds me of the story of two brothers named Alan and Dale Klapmeier—the founders of Cirrus Aircraft—who showed up at AirVenture in 1989 with a tent and a concept, and look at where they are today.” Due to member and organizational outreach, EAA was able to convince Congress to block the FAA from imposing air traffic control fees this year for AirVenture. These fees in past years had amounted to more than $400,000 annually. “We are fee-free this year,” he said, noting that it will be a continuing challenge to convince the FAA that it is “the will of Congress” to keep it that way. He said letters from 28,000 EAA members helped kill federal legislation to privatize air traffic control and convert it to a fee-based system and that legislation to provide the FAA with a stable, multi-year funding platform is nearing final passage. Pelton reported that EAA, along with other general aviation organizations, has made good progress with the FAA working to modernize and streamline the weight limits on light sport aircraft (LSA) and promulgate new parts manufacturing rules to ease the certification of higher safety, lower cost features into certified aircraft. He said getting the weight restrictions changed on LSA’s is a four-year process and “we’re about two years into it.” According to Pelton, EAA membership has grown to 215,000, boosted by programs that included the chapter-level “Flying Start” mentorship program for adults who wanted to get their pilot’s licenses and chapter flying clubs that use homebuilt, donated, or vintage aircraft to keep the cost of flying affordable.<doc-sep>As provided to Action 2 News: Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:  “A ‘perfect’ event may be unattainable, but AirVenture 2018 came about as close as one could imagine. 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.” Attendance: Approximately 601,000, nearly two percent above of 2017’s record total. Comment from Pelton:  “EAA members and aviation enthusiasts attended in large numbers, even without the presence of a military jet team as we had in 2017. Our efforts to create unique attractions and aviation highlights across the grounds were incredibly successful. Attendance on opening day was the best in our history, as the vast majority of our guests came to Oshkosh early and stayed throughout the week.” Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 19,588 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 20-30, which is an average of approximately 134 takeoffs/landings per hour. Total showplanes: 2,979 (second straight year over 2,900): 1,160 homebuilt aircraft (5 percent increase), 1,094 vintage airplanes, 377 warbirds (7 percent increase), 185 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 75 seaplanes, 22 rotorcraft, 52 aerobatic aircraft, and 14 hot air balloons. Camping: More than 12,300 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for an estimated 40,000 visitors. Commercial exhibitors: 867. Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: A total of 1,500 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people. EAA aircraft flights: 2,800 people flew aboard EAA’s Ford Tri-Motors, while 3,032 people flew aboard EAA’s Bell 47 helicopters and 680 flew aboard EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast. Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 12 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, including 5.5 million via Facebook videos; EAA’s website had more than 1.7 million page views; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 2.2 million times; and EAA’s 2,400 photo uploads were viewed more than 12.4 million times. Additionally, EAA web streams were accessed nearly 800,000 times by viewers in more than 200 countries, who watched more than 170,000 hours of activities from the AirVenture grounds. The AirVenture app was downloaded and used by nearly 50,000 attendees. Guests registered at International Visitors Tent: A record 2,714 visitors registered from 87 nations, also a record total. (Actual counts may be higher since international visitor registration is voluntary.) Top countries represented by registered visitors: Canada (538 visitors), Australia (386), and South Africa (277). Media: 976 media representatives on-site, from six continents. Economic impact*: $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * - based on 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 (July 22-28, 2019)? Comment from Pelton:  “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. 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.”<doc-sep>EAA AirVenture 2018 is now in the books, and Action 2 News is getting some insight on attendance numbers. AirVenture officials say about 601,000 people were on the grounds throughout the week, a nearly two percent increase from 2017's record of about 590,000 people. More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittmen Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin this last week. Total showplanes came in at 2,979, 1,160 home-built aircraft, 1,094 vintage airplanes, 377 warbirds, 185 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 75 seaplanes, 22 rotorcraft, 52 aerobatic aircraft, and 14 hot air balloons. The estimated economic impact the show brought to five counties in Northeast Wisconsin totaled $170 million, that's based on the 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study. A record 2,714 visitors registered from 87 nations. The top countries represented included Canada (538 visitors), Australia (386) and South Africa (277). AirVenture Chairmen and CEO, Jack Pelton, says next year the air show will be celebrating its 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh.<doc-sep>
As provided to Action 2 News: EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton: Attendance : Approximately 601,000, nearly two percent above of 2017’s record total. Comment from Pelton: Total aircraft : More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 19,588 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 20-30, which is an average of approximately 134 takeoffs/landings per hour. Total showplanes : 2,979 (second straight year over 2,900): 1,160 homebuilt aircraft (5 percent increase), 1,094 vintage airplanes, 377 warbirds (7 percent increase), 185 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 75 seaplanes, 22 rotorcraft, 52 aerobatic aircraft, and 14 hot air balloons. Camping : More than 12,300 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for an estimated 40,000 visitors. Commercial exhibitors : 867. Forums, Workshops, and Presentations : A total of 1,500 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people. EAA aircraft flights : 2,800 people flew aboard EAA’s Ford Tri-Motors, while 3,032 people flew aboard EAA’s Bell 47 helicopters and 680 flew aboard EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast. Social Media, Internet and Mobile : More than 12 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, including 5.5 million via Facebook videos; EAA’s website had more than 1.7 million page views; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 2.2 million times; and EAA’s 2,400 photo uploads were viewed more than 12.4 million times. Additionally, EAA web streams were accessed nearly 800,000 times by viewers in more than 200 countries, who watched more than 170,000 hours of activities from the AirVenture grounds. The AirVenture app was downloaded and used by nearly 50,000 attendees. Guests registered at International Visitors Tent : A record 2,714 visitors registered from 87 nations, also a record total. (Actual counts may be higher since international visitor registration is voluntary.) Top countries represented by registered visitors: Canada (538 visitors), Australia (386), and South Africa (277). Media : 976 media representatives on-site, from six continents. Economic impact* : $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * - based on 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 (July 22-28, 2019)? Comment from Pelton: