Air Show Events

The EAA Aviation Museum holds two distinct replica histories: one of a 1910 Blériot XI bis variant with an original Anzani engine, and two Spirit of St. Louis replicas. This comparison highlights the differing purposes and construction backgrounds of the replicas.

While both programs feature historic aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Vintage in Review focuses on early civilian planes and the mechanics who keep them flying. Warbirds in Review highlights military heritage by bringing together veterans, historians, and legends to share stories of service and sacrifice.

Airshow visitors can observe hands‑on construction by watching a public build like the 2022 Sonex Waiex, where attendees pull rivets. The announced 2027 Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer project offers a similar interactive experience but features a new aircraft design unveiled at EAA AirVenture 2026.

Visitors to the Seaplane Base find a wooded cove on Lake Winnebago with free pontoon rides and shore seating. The Vintage Aircraft area offers categorized static displays in hangars like the Red Barn, plus workshops and youth programs.

For its 16th year, the Warbird Tram Tour offers a free, narrated walk through all 12 zones of the Warbirds area. Operating Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., this tradition began at the station near Eide Rd. and P1 taxiway.

The Seaplane Base's annual Watermelon Social began in 1989 as a small pilot hangar-flyer session with just a few attendees. Over decades, this event evolved from a casual gathering into a major community hub serving approximately 750 people.

AirVenture divides its Vintage Aircraft Area into three eras based on build dates. Antique aircraft were built prior to September 1, 1945. Classic models cover the period from September 1, 1945 through 1955. Contemporary aircraft are defined as those built from 1956 through 1970. These specific date ranges shape the historical narrative by separating pre-war aviation roots from post-war developments and early jet age designs.

At a static show, the C‑17 Globemaster III and the KC‑46A Pegasus present distinct roles: the high‑wing, four‑engine C‑17 transports heavy cargo and drops, while the 767‑derived, two‑engine KC‑46A serves as a versatile tanker with boom, hose‑and‑drogue, and rapid‑conversion capabilities.

Attendees can join the Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer build by signing up as Homebuilding Ambassadors or helping with construction. The project runs from July 26 to August 1, 2027, organized by the Aspiring Aviators Aero Club.

A practical guide to organizing airshow photography files, separating originals from exports, and building an index for aircraft identification evidence.