Two days of airplanes are backed up at airports all across the Midwest, and they are now descending on Oshkosh’s AirVenture in record numbers. The region has been plagued with thunderstorms for the past two days, keeping many pilots from making it all the way from home, but with the last storm clearing through by mid morning, the VFR arrival stream opened up, and planes are landing in close trail on multiple runways. Parking personnel are hopping to find find ground space for all the new arrivals, including the 36 ship formation of RVs that performed flybys to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the RV-6.
But even though they are arriving en masse, RVs aren’t the only machines showing up this afternoon. Everything from Cubs to jets are landing and finding their way to parking with the help of the huge crew of EAA volunteers that welcome every pilot and help them get settled. There is currently room for both experimentals and certified airplanes, but at this rate, we expect parking for certifieds to start getting scarce before the week is too old. New parking areas were created in recent months at the extreme southern end of the field (referred to humorously as “Fond du Lac North” by some) and in the old “B” parking area near Homebuilt Camping, and it is expected that things may fill up.
Nevertheless, EAA maintains its policy is to never turn away a show plane (experimental, warbirds, or Vintage), so if you’re on your way or planning to be on your way, don’t dismay – with improving weather, Wisconsin is waiting for you.
