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| Crowds at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow Photo: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh |
[Avionics Today 08-07-2014] The annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh airshow wrapped up recently, boasting a turnout of more than 500,000 attendees for this 2014 show — approximately 5 to 6 percent higher than in 2013. According to the Oshkosh website, these numbers were bolstered by weekend increases, which saw 20 percent more people coming through the gates than a year ago.
“It was a tremendous week on many levels,” said EAA Chairman Jack J. Pelton. “We filled Wittman Regional Airport with aircraft for the first time in several years, with both aircraft camping and parking areas completely full at midweek.”
A main highlight from this year’s show includes the first appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh, which attracted many visitors to the event.
“Certainly the Thunderbirds’ first performances at Oshkosh helped the attendance,” Pelton continued. “There was another factor, too — a renewed sense of optimism that was reflected in people coming to Oshkosh to celebrate the world of flight. You could feel it among the attendees, exhibitors and our 5,400 volunteers whose work made the event possible.”