We’ve hit an avgeek daily double.
The second-consecutive week of aviation festivities kicked off with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture event in Oshkosh, WI, grabbing the spotlight.
While the Farnborough Airshow has more of an emphasis on high-end, commercial and military aviation, AirVenture’s bread and butter is the thousands of homebuilt and general aviation aircraft that fly in. If Farnborough is the dance ball at the castle, EAA Airventure is the backyard barbecue.
More than 10,000 aircraft in all from all over the world make the trip 90 minutes north of Milwaukee to camp, participate in workshops, watch the daily airshow and be amongst their fellow friends and aviation enthusiast.
EAA has dubbed 2018 as “Year of the Tanker.” The Air Force Reserve is celebrating its 70th anniversary at Oshkosh by bringing part of its fleet of military refueling aircraft as part of AirVenture’s “Year of the Tanker.” Aircraft include the GE/CFM-powered KC-10 (CF6), KC-135 (CFM56) and F/A-18F Super Hornet (F414).
On Saturday, as a salute to the tanker, EAA will feature a few members of the KC-135 Stratotanker crew involved in the rescue of an F-4 Phantom fighter jet over the Atlantic Ocean in 1983.
GE Aviation continues to have a significant presence at AirVenture. GE’s has an H-80 turboprop engine and mock-up Catalyst turboprop engine on display in its booth. It also has models of the F101 and CF6.
More from GE at Oshkosh
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for updates all week long.
EAA AirVenture Fast Facts:
- EAA size: More than 500,000 people from around 80 countries
- EAA organized: 1953 in Milwaukee, WI
- First EAA fly-in at Oshkosh: 1970 (in Rockford, IL 1959-69)
- Aircraft: More than 10,000 (world’s busiest airport this week)
- Control tower: 65 controllers, 18 supervisors, and three operations managers, representing multiple FAA air traffic facilities
- Show planes: More than 2,800
- Commercial exhibitors: More than 800
- Forums and workshops: More than 1,000
Related Posts
GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.
