EAA Airventure Oshkosh Day 1
By Jaco Pitout
23.07.2024
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I have always wanted to attend a workshop or forum at Airventure Oshkosh. I downloaded the EAA Events application to my phone and that had all the information about forums, talks, events and a myriad of other information to enhance your Airventure experience.
When planning my day, I used the app to find interesting events taking place. One event that caught my eye was a talk by Jessica Cox. Jessica is a pilot and she flies a 1945, 415C Ercoupe. While the Ercoupe is an interesting aircraft in itself, I was more interested in Jessica's story. She is the only pilot in the United States that has no arms but holds a Sport Pilot Certificate. She has featured on the Ellen de Generes show and a multitude of other programs talking about her experiences and how she overcame adversity to reach her dream. Jessica is an avid scuba diver as well as surfer and holds a black belt in Taekwando. The crowd that packed out the forum stage heard how she had to find new ways to do things that able bodied people take for granted. You could literally hear a pin drop as the crowd listened attentively to her incredible journey.
Jessica and her husband, Patrick Chaimberlain, spoke passionately about their newest project, www.theimpossibleairplane.com a venture where they are teaming up with partners such as Vans aircraft in building a specially adapted RV10 for Jessica that will allow her to travel and reach more people more often and also to advocate for the rights of disabled people. Patrick and Jessica also asked that the flying public engage with them on their website, while they have developed an adapted control system there is still a lot of opportunity for the wider community to contribute with ideas. They envisage that this project will be complete and possibly be displayed at EAA Airventure in 2026. Certainly, a reason to put EAA Airventure 2026 on your to do list!
I left Jessica's talk inspired and looking forward to the day on the flightline. Today's show promised to be action packed with a mix of fast paced aerobatics as well as fast jets and some canard action from the Rutan Aircraft Showcase.
As is customary with Airventure every day is opened with the American National Anthem with skydivers arriving with a big American flag.
The next item on the program was termed “Mystery Ship” this cryptic entry in the events of the day had the entire crowd talking and wondering. It was not long at all before some eagled eyed spectators saw the distinct silhouette of the powerful B1-B Lancer bomber on the horizon. The excitement was palpable. It approached and flew over the crowd line and disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. Though it was just a quick fly-by, it was wonderful to see this aircraft at Airventure.
Airshow announcers around the world enjoy getting a crowd interested and involved. In one such act, a runabout twin was detected and it was shepherded to land at Airventure. All with added dramatic effect! I heard some gasps in the spectators around me, as the F16 pilot tried to get the attention of the pilot in the twin as it pulled up sharply and engaged its' afterburner.
There is no doubt that Burt Rutan has made a significant contribution to general aviation with his efficient and robust canard aircraft designs. The next item on the flying program was a dedication to Mr Rutan with a display of several of his aeronautical masterpieces.
Jarrod Lindemann is man with a very unique aircraft. He flies the Jet-Waco. A beautifully painted Black and Red biplane with one very powerful trick up its' sleeve a powerful General Electric J85 jet engine strapped to the area between the main landing gear. Jarrod loops, rolls and even snap-rolls the aircraft that seems that it defies gravity when travelling vertically. It is a magnificent sight and sound to behold!
Another aspect unique to Airventure is having multiple formations overhead the field at a time. In a formation display that can only be described as spectacular, formations featuring the venerable Harvard, Beech T34 and other military training aircraft filled the sky with smoke and beautiful noise!
The IAC or the International Aerobatic Club was well represented at today's show with RJ Gritter flying his Decathlon as well Jeff Boerboon and Bob Freeman in their respective Extra's. Their routines demonstrated various forms of Aerobatics as well as what can be done in some of the latest unlimited aerobatic aircraft.
The USAF Heritage Flight has a long history of paying tribute to veterans and those serving in the military. Today's heritage flight was done by a P51 Mustang and a F16. The size difference between these two flying, fighting machines were very apparent!
The A10 Warthog has been a formidable piece of the United States military inventory and sadly its' time is coming to an end with the fleet being retired over the next few years. I am quite sure that its' presence will be missed by many a front-line soldier of the United States.
Kyle Franklin is a crowd favourite with his stolen plane routine. It was said that you need a lot of skill to fly this badly! It was thoroughly enjoyed by the entire crowd!
Vicky Benzing is no stranger to EAA Airventure. She brought along her beautifully painted P51 Mustang, Plum Crazy to delight the crowd. It's Purple paint scheme was striking against the Wisconsin summer sky!
In another surprise a Rutan Boomerang arrived for two spirited fly-bys followed by a Beech Starship with the one and only Burt Rutan on board. His presence was clearly appreciated and there was a lot of security and family around him when he landed. I unfortunately could not get a picture of the man himself, but I managed to snap these arrival pictures.
Skip Stewart is a well-known aerobatic performer and delivers fast paced high energy aerobatics in his highly modified Pitts named Prometheus.
The name Boeing Stearman conjures up images of the golden days of aviation when barnstorming was a “thing” and when the smell of oil and the sound of radial engines filled the air in rural America. Susan Dacy showed her lovely PT-17 at Airventure.
Rob Holland is a multiple World and USA Aerobatic champion, it is no surprise when he takes the control of his MSX-RH that it becomes an extension of his body. The synergy between man and machine is astounding!
In a recent re-branding the Aeroshell team took on a new sponsorship from Titan. Their newly branded Harvard's brought the much loved Pratt and Witney radial growl, coupled with the tips of the propellors going through the sound barrier, this was a display to remember!
 
What a full and exciting day at EAA Airventure! I cannot wait to bring you the rest of the action!
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