EAA Airventure 2023

[bumsteer]

First volunteer work party for this years convention was held this weekend. Biggest change for this year is probably the change to the arrival for the ultralight field. It can be found on the EAA sight under Airventure, Flying in/Ultralight arrivals. No further update on moving the ultralight field further south. Now it appears some neighbors are raising concerns. Another small grocery store will be added in Camp Scholler by the showers down by the South gate and a breakfast tent and food truck will be added in the new South 40. Another 104 electric/ water campsites are available in the area they are now. More Purple Mat (plastic grating) is being put down in areas prone to turning to mud after heavy rain. The museum gift shop has been completely redone. There are now only about 40 ash trees left on the grounds. Total number lost to the borer is approximately 1500. Yes that number is correct. Countdown is at 77 days. Hope to see you there.

Rick

[airlina]

Rick, thanks for the update, and for doing what YOU and the other 1000s of volunteers do . Without that workforce, Airventure certainly wouldn't be the success that it is. It'll be here before we know it. Thank again Rick! Bruce N199CL

[bumsteer]

Thank you Bruce, I really appreciate it. Will be back up in 2 weeks for next one. We even had a sort of airshow this weekend. The National Intercollegiate Flying Association is having a competition this coming week at OSH but already were in town. Tower reported 500 aircraft movements both Fri. and Sat. Second only to of course Airventure.

Rick

[Eric Page]

I went to the NIFA SAFECON when I was a college student in 1992 (don't be too impressed; we went to the national meet because we were the only school in our region that entered and were declared regional champions by default). That year it was held in Monroe, Louisiana. Apart from the heat and humidity, it was a great time. I got pretty good at landing on a dime back then, and my landings have only gone downhill since!

[bumsteer]

https://www.eaa.org/-/media/files/airventure/flyingin/notam/2023/2023_eaa_airventure_oshkosh_notam_final.ashx

Airventure NOTAM has been published.

Rick

[bumsteer]

This field will be used for Vintage parking this year but will become part of the Ultralight/FunFlyZone in the future. It's roughly 1/4 mile south of the present ultralight runway.

Rick32338

[bumsteer]

Put up the Camp Scholler signs yesterday. The mayhem there starts on Friday at 7:00 AM. The vast majority of the outdoor exhibitor's buildings/tents in the hangar area are now up. 28 days and counting!!

Rick

[jrevens]

Has there been much smoke from the Canadian fires, Rick? If so, any thoughts about when it will possibly clear?

[bumsteer]

Hi John

Both Sat. and Sun. the Oshkosh area was under an air quality alert (orange level, unhealthy for some) for smoke and ozone levels. There has been a low pressure area sitting for what seems like forever just to the northeast and it's been pumping the smoke down here. Weather folks are saying the low should finally start moving today or tomorrow and hopefully the smoke will start to abate. Cold front passing thru now so hopefully it gets better and stays that way. I didn't hear of anyone having problems and most of us were outside.

Rick

[jrevens]

Thanks, Rick… that’s encouraging. Really looking forward to it, as always!
Thanks for all the work & time you spend to help make it happen!

[bumsteer]

The webcams covering the grounds are now up and running. https://www.eaa.org/airventure/live

Rick

[bumsteer]

Got to drive by Kitfox display and have to say Brandon and Heather's plane is a beauty. Low to mid 90's starting Wednesday.

Rick

[bumsteer]

After what seemed like forever, Airventure 2023 came and was gone in the blink of an eye. Several warm, ok "plane" hot and humid days and the gulley washers made for a somewhat challenging week especially for those of us in advanced age, but it was still Oshkosh!! Spent quality time with Desertfox 4 (Steve) and in short order we solved all the world's problems! If you've never been, please put it on your bucket list. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Good Lord willing, come next May I'll make the trek back up to help get ready for 2024!

Rick

[bumsteer]

Approximate attendance: 677000 (new record) 10000+ Aircraft 148 t/o's & ldgs per hour when airport open

Pretty impressive I'd say. With next year being the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, I'd imagine a return of the Snowbirds is a real possibility.

Rick

[DesertFox4]

Another record year. Amazing. Great seeing you Rick.