Get Your Fill of High-Flying Fun at Oshkosh 2025
Airventure is right around the corner!
Oshkosh 2025 is just around the corner. The high-flying fun begins on Monday, July 21, and runs until Sunday, July 27. This year will be the 72nd year for the EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention, and it’s sure to offer pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and their families a spectacularly good time. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s Oshkosh airshow, which is expected to receive nearly 700,000 visitors, 10,000 aircraft, nearly 3,000 showplanes, more than 800 exhibitors, and more than 6,000 volunteers.
When Can You Arrive at Oshkosh?
Is your excitement building? Are you hoping to get to Oshkosh as early as possible to enjoy the aerobatic airplane fun? Well, don’t worry, you may be able to arrive at Oshkosh as early as July 15 or 16 if you have an EAA membership. This is because Camp Sholler (Drive-in Camping) is only for EAA members, and the campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s also important to note that all campers must pay for a minimum of three nights, even if they don’t plan to stay that long.
Camp Sholler campers can choose between general/primitive camping or improved camping. However, if you’re looking for an improved site with water and electricity, those can’t be booked until June 27 at 7 AM. In addition to the upgraded camping sites, the campground offers dump stations, free showers, portable toilets, potable water, and a convenience store.
If you’re looking for other camping arrangements, pilots can camp with their aircraft on the grounds, and seaplane and car camping are available. If you’d prefer a hotel, it’s best to book one in the area as early as possible because they tend to fill up ahead of the airshow. Some popular hotels in the area include the Hilton Garden Inn, Tru by Hilton Oshkosh, Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront, Comfort Suites, and Cobblestone Suites.
Can I Fly-In to Oshkosh?
Absolutely. The EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention welcomes pilots. After all, this famous airshow is held at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh, WI. The airport has four runways, including Runway 18/36, which is 8,002 feet long and 150 feet wide, Runway 09/27, which is 6,179 feet long and 150 feet wide, Runway 05/23, which is 3,424 feet long and 75 feet wide, and finally, Runway 13/31, which is 3,061 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport offers many services for pilots and aircraft owners, including major airframe and powerplant work, 100LL and JET-A+, and bulk oxygen.
Every pilot who’s considering flying into Oshkosh for the 2025 airshow should read the NOTAM and the AirVenture Flight Procedures, which can be downloaded directly from the EAA website. Some changes of note include maintaining 90kts until entering the downwind. Runway 27’s descent starts at the gravel pit, and there are updated web addresses for the mass arrivals, seaplane base, and helicopters. Due to the complexity of the arrival procedures, pilots are asked to fly the simulator version prior to departing for the airshow.
What Are the Official Airshow Days and Hours?
The EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention officially begins on July 21 at 7 AM, and the gates open each day at 7 AM. The last day for the airshow is July 27, and the last event scheduled for July 27 (as of June 15, 2025) is The Evolution of Southwest Airlines from 1 PM until 1:30 PM. It’s important to note that additional events may be added up until the start of the airshow.
What’s Included with the EAA AirVenture Admission Tickets?
Each ticket gives the attendee access to more than 1 million square feet of aviation information, displays, and exhibits. In fact, more than 800 exhibitors are expected to be at the airshow. Ticket holders will be able to enjoy all of the AirVenture speaker venues, including the Warbirds in Review, the Museum Speaker Showcase, and the Authors Corner. They’ll even get access to the EAA Aviation Museum and KidVenture, which can be found behind the museum at the Pioneer Airport. Additional things to do include watching the airshows, enjoying a nightly movie, participating in a forum or workshop, and looking at all the showplanes.
Who Will Be Performing in the EAA AirVenture Airshows?
The airshows are held daily, Monday through Saturday, starting at 2:15 PM Central Time. Night airshows are scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday and will begin at 8 PM. The Sunday airshow will start at 1 PM.
Scheduled airshow performers include The Misty Blues, which is an all-female skydiving team, the USAF C-17 Demo team, the USMC F-35B Demo team, the Maryland Air National Guard, Warbirds of America, the Northern Stars, which is an aerobatics team flown by Canadian Air Force veterans, and the Titan Aerobatic Team.
Attendees can also enjoy watching several skilled aerobatic pilots. One of those pilots is Nathan Hammond, who is part of the Ghost Writer Airshows. He flies a 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk. This specialty aircraft has been modified for skywriting and aerobatics. Another skilled pilot is Kyle Franklin, who is part of Franklin’s Flying Circus. This husband-and-wife duo is known for their flying comedy act.
Patrons can also enjoy Greg Koontz of Greg Koontz Aviation. He is a skilled aerobatic pilot who learned his amazing flight maneuvers in Col. Moser’s Flying Circus in the mid-70s. Another amazing aerobatic pilot who will be part of the Oshkosh airshow is Ed Hamill from Folds of Honor. Bill Stein of Bill Stein Airshows will also be performing high-flying aerobatics in a Zivko Edge 540, and of course, these aren’t the only performers in this year’s EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention. There are many more that will dazzle and thrill you with their flying expertise.
What Are Some of the Favorite Features, Events, and Exhibits of the Oshkosh Airshow?
When most people come to Oshkosh, they think of the spectacular airshows, high-flying aerobatics, and stunts. However, there’s plenty more to do before and after the airshows. Oshkosh is full of information, flying, education, and adventure for people of all ages. If you’re an individual, couple, family, veteran, pilot, or aviation enthusiast, you can rest assured that the EAA AirVenture airshow has something that will excite and thrill you.
Family Fun
If you’re looking for family fun and kid-friendly adventures, you might check out the AeroEducate Center. The AeroEducate Center can be found at the Aviation Gateway Park Entrance. During the week of EAA AirVenture, families can enjoy daily forums led by industry leaders and young professionals, as well as hands-on workshops. This year, kids and adults can enjoy learning about NASA from Jeanie Engle. They can learn about an air traffic controller’s daily life, and they can build their very own RC airplane.
Military Veterans
If you’re a military veteran, you might enjoy the Salute to Veterans Parade, which will be held on Friday, July 25, at 1 PM. Veterans can march under their service flag from the Warbird Alley to Boeing Plaza. If you’re a veteran and you want to march, EAA recommends being at the Warbirds in Review Ramp at 1 PM. For veterans who don’t want to march, they can still join the group at 2 PM on Boeing Plaza for a veterans group photo.
Pilots and Those Who Want to Become a Pilot
If you’re thinking about becoming a pilot, you might enjoy the EAA Learn to Fly Center. The EAA Learn to Fly Center can be found at the EAA Four Corners. The center offers the Redbird Touch ‘n Go Academy, where individuals can take their first flight lesson in a flight simulator, and yes, it includes a logbook entry. Individuals, families, and groups can also enjoy the daily flight training forums, where they’ll learn about checkrides, medical certification, training tips, and ways to save time and money on flight training.
Places to View Aircraft at EAA AirVenture
If you want to view and learn about various aircraft, there are several spaces at the airshow that are dedicated to various types and eras of aircraft.
Boeing Plaza
If you want to see a little bit of everything, you might venture over to the Boeing Plaza. The plaza is located in the center of the airshow grounds, and it’s where you can view a selection of historic planes, military planes, commercial jets, and aircraft with the newest technology. In the past, they’ve even had spacecraft displayed.
Homebuilts
If backyard builds are more your style, you might wander over to the area for Homebuilts. This area is special because it’s what EAA is all about. After all, EAA’s full name is the Experimental Aircraft Association, and there’s nothing more experimental than a flying machine that was built with an individual’s own two hands.
Warbirds
If you love military history, you might venture over to the Warbirds area. It’s estimated that between 400 and 500 various warbirds, from trainers to bombers, will arrive for the 2025 Oshkosh airshow, and if you don’t feel like walking to view the airplanes and jets, you can go on a Warbird Tram Tour. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and is free.
Aerobatics
If you’d like to view some of the aerobatic aircraft that will fly in the show, you may want to take a walk over to the Aerobatics area. Each year, EAA AirVenture welcomes many aerobatic pilots to the show. Once you’re in the area, you can walk around or ask for a tour from one of the many volunteers at the International Aerobatics Club.
What Aircraft Rides Will Be Available at EAA AirVenture?
There are three aircraft being scheduled for rides at the EAA AirVenture 2025:
–Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-B
The first aircraft is a Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-B, which was one of the world’s first mass-produced airliners. This aircraft was used for passenger transport in the 20s, and at the time, it was considered the height of luxury. This flight lasts about 15 minutes.
–B-25 Berlin Express
Attendees could also go on a ride in a B-25 Berlin Express. This military aircraft was a World War II bomber. Guests are asked to arrive about an hour before their flight time. This gives everyone a chance to get familiar with the aircraft, fill out any needed paperwork, and pay any required fees. Each flight lasts about an hour.
–Bell 47 Helicopter
Finally, you could choose to take a ride on a Bell 47 helicopter. The helicopter rides last about five minutes and give guests a wonderful aerial view of the airshow grounds.
The EAA AirVenture airshow of 2025 is sure to be fun for the whole family. There are plenty of things to learn, see, and do, and you can even enjoy some amazing food. This year’s food vendors include A&W, Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, El Agave Mexican Grill, Lemon Chili, Mr. and Mrs. Eggroll, Papa John’s, Stone Arch Brewing, and Travelin’ Ton’s Coffee, among many other food and drink vendors. Here at APN, we hope you have a fantastic time at the 72nd EAA AirVenture convention.
More Info At: www.EAA.com
