7 Things to Know Before You Go to AirVenture
Here are a few tricks to making the trip to the world’s largest airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, more productive and enjoyable.
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EAA’s next AirVenture fly-in convention is scheduled for July 22-28, 2024. [FLYING Archive]
This year marks my 20th visit to Oshkosh for the EAA AirVenture annual convention in Wisconsin. Over the years I have learned at least seven tricks to making the trip more productive and enjoyable—and now I share them with you.
1. If you drive to the event, pack your patience.
You may end up parked well away from the show grounds and bused to the front gate. Take note of where you parked (for example Blue Lot) and write it down. Also consider dropping an AirTag in your car, so at the end of the day when you're tired, you can find it more easily.
2. Conserve your energy.
Don't run when you can walk, and don't walk when you can ride. Use the trams and buses on the grounds to get where you need/want to go, or close to where you want to go. You get a map when you enter the grounds. Use this map to plan your visit. For the map-reading challenged: The big runway is aligned north-south; the warbird runway is east-west.
3. Carry a backpack.
Most people carry a backpack to the event to hold water bottles, sunscreen, etc. The pack will be searched when you enter the grounds, so do yourself a favor and make sure you're not carrying a firearm or other contraband that is not allowed.
The best packs are the ones with the waist strap as they take the load off your shoulders. Make sure your name and phone number are on the bag in the event it goes missing. EAA has an excellent lost-and-found department.
4. Self protection is important.
Wear a hat with a brim and sunglasses on a lanyard. Carry a rain poncho and an extra pair of socks. Even if the sun is shining, weather comes up quickly and ferociously. You can also use the poncho to make shade or to sit on when watching the airshow. When your socks get sweaty, change into the dry pair. This prevents blisters, which can ruin your day. Also, don't forget earplugs as it can get loud during the airshow.
5. Study the map.
Plan your route carefully. You may want to make a loop of the grounds, starting at one end and going to the other, rather than zigzagging back and forth.
- READ MORE: EAA AirVenture: A Vintage Aircraft Paradise
6. Visit the hangars early in the day.
If able, visit the hangars before 11 a.m. because they can become uncomfortably hot later in the day.
7. Carry a small first-aid kit.
This kit should contain hand sanitizer, Band-Aids, anti-diarrhea medication, pain reliever, etc. Hopefully, you won't need any of it. There is a first-aid building on the grounds for more serious injuries.
![Meg Godlewski](https://www.flyingmag.com/uploads/2021/11/Godlewski-Headshot.png?auto=webp)
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