The 72nd edition of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention is themed around the tagline “One Week: Endless Possibilities.” Hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association, the event runs July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The event has grown from a small grassroots homebuilders air show in 1953 to the largest aviation gathering in the world encompassing all types of aviation, pilots and enthusiasts from across the globe. AirVenture saw record attendance of 686,000 visitors in 2024, including attendees from 94 nations.
Each July, KOSH becomes the busiest airport in the world and the surrounding grounds are full of airplanes and activity. A highlight for many visitors is the air show schedule: nine over seven days, including night and afternoon shows that draw the world’s top performers.
Details are too numerous to publish; go to eaa.org/airventure for the latest air show lineup, aircraft scheduled for static display, exhibitors, events and personalities.
Here are a few highlights EAA has announced:
Centennial celebrations for Goodyear airship, Fairchild and Travel Air
Goodyear will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its famed airships by bringing two of them to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Also, Fairchild and Travel Air – iconic aircraft types from the golden age of aviation – will celebrate their centennial years with airplanes on the AirVenture flightline and additional programs and activities held in conjunction with the type clubs.
Although Goodyear’s aviation efforts began in 1910 with the creation of its aeronautics department, the first branded airship flights in 1925 marked the start of a legendary icon. The appearance of two airships marks a unique occurrence in the more than 50 years that Goodyear has brought its blimps and airships to Oshkosh. Plans are for the airships to participate in flying activities during the week, and at least one of them is scheduled to be parked near the EAA Aviation Museum when not flying.
Fairchild Aircraft was founded in 1925 as a builder of aircraft stable enough for aerial photography and mapping. While the company created a significant number of civilian passenger airplanes in its first 15 years, it was during World War II that the company turned to military aircraft production, especially trainers and transports. Its final major production aircraft was the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, from 1972 through 1984. The EAA Aviation Museum currently has the oldest Fairchild aircraft in existence, a 1927 FC-2W model.
The Travel Air Manufacturing Company’s short history was a partnership of three famous names in aviation history: Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna and Lloyd Stearman of Wichita, Kansas. The three men were part of the Swallow Aircraft Company but in 1925, struck out on their own to create versatile biplanes in a 30-by-30-foot space in downtown Wichita. The company was eventually absorbed into the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1929 and ended production in 1931 during the Great Depression. EAA has a Travel Air 4000, which is one of the oldest aircraft in the world offering passenger flights with its seasonal operations at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport.
B-29s will reunite
The world’s only two flying examples of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress will be back at AirVenture supporting the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and post-war aviation technology.
FIFI and Doc have made only about a half-dozen joint public appearances since first flying together at EAA AirVenture in 2017. The plan is for each airplane to alternate time featured on EAA’s Boeing Plaza with offering flight experiences at nearby Appleton International Airport. The two are scheduled to make a formation flight together the evening of July 23.
FIFI is owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29/B-24 Squadron of Dallas, Texas. Doc is owned and operated by Doc’s Friends, Inc., a non-profit based in Wichita, Kansas.
Humanitarian aviation on display
Public benefit flying will be a prominent theme by spotlighting the aircraft, crews and organizations that supply aid to victims of natural disasters, war, famine and other emergencies around the globe. The last DC-8 registered in the United States, owned by the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, will spend the week on Boeing Plaza. Nearby will be a selection of general aviation aircraft also involved in public benefit flying. Also scheduled to appear is the Air Care Alliance, a nonprofit organization that represents more than 50 volunteer pilot groups.
Korean War era aviation innovation highlighted
The aviation innovation and technology of the Korean War era, which this year marks 75 years since its beginning, will be in the spotlight with aircraft on display showcasing the transition from piston-powered aircraft to fighter jets. These aircraft will be included in air show demonstrations and on display in Boeing Plaza and the Warbirds area.
Among the Korean War-era piston-powered aircraft to participate are the Corsair, P-51 Mustang, B-29 Stratofortress, AD-4 and AD-5W Skyraiders, PB4Y and L-5. Jet aircraft include the P-80, F-84, MiG-15, MiG-17 and F-86 Sabre. This year also marks the 85th anniversary of the Corsair, the 80th anniversary of the A-1 Skyraider and the 75th anniversary of the MiG-17.
Updated Oshkosh NOTAM Available
The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Notice includes several important Federal Aviation Administration-approved updates and is essential reading for pilots flying into KOSH or nearby airports. These arrival and departure procedures are in effect from noon CDT on Thursday, July 17 until noon CDT on Monday, July 28.
Pilots can download a digital version at EAA.org/NOTAM.