It is incredible how much organization goes into Airventure. The logistics behind the event is mind-boggling. One such aspect of the event is that there is a continuous weather watch during the week of Airventure. This morning at about 03:45 I was awoken by a message on the loud hailing system in the camp stating that there was rain heading the way of Airventure with gusting winds and hail. The camp was instantly abuzz with the team from Air Adventure tours ensuring that the breakfast station that had been prepared the evening before were not exposed to the elements. The rain did come eventually and lasted for about an hour. The patter of the rain on the brand-new tent put me back to sleep in a matter of minutes.
The inclement weather meant that outside photography would not be great in the morning. The time was spent around camp, preparing for the afternoon airshow. The weather forecast did call for some showers later in the day but with the heat and the sunshine I was very positive that it would remain dry, I was proven wrong a little while later. The rain came and it came down in buckets. Most of the crowd braved the rain and a short while later the cold and wet was forgotten, the airshow continued.
The first airshow act after the customary paradrop was Trojan Thunder. The T28's was flown with precision under the threatening skies. It made for a great backdrop!
The much beloved P51 Mustang always manages to please an airshow crowd. A flight of Mustangs joined a Twin Cessna and a B25 in various flypasts. A sight for sore eyes.
As I was sitting in the crowd, and I saw Mat Younkin getting airborne, I kept a keen eye on a Airventure first timer sitting next to me for his reaction when the large and loud Beech 18 is rolled upside down. My friend was very surprised when the utility class aeroplane was rolled around the sky. It is just always a hit with the crowd.
Jim Peitz is an accomplished pilot with over 20 000 hours of flying to his credit. His love of aerobatics is beautifully displayed as he flies his Beechcraft F33C Bonanza. Performing rolls, loops and even snap-rolls in an aircraft that can take you very comfortably from point A to point B.
Douglas C47 or DC3 or even Dakota is the name of an aircraft that had a significant impact on aviation history. Coming to prominence during World War 2 as a transport aircraft, this multi-talented aircraft first flew in 1941. Over ten thousand of these aircraft were built and there are some that remains in service to this day. A wonderful achievement of design ahead of its' time. A three ship C47 and DC3 flight graced the skies above EAA Airventure.
The Air Force Heritage Flight provides dynamic flight displays with aircraft from modern and older days of military aviation. The purpose of these displays is to serve as a living memorial to those who served in the US Air Force. The display on this day comprised of a P51 Mustang, F22, F35 and a A10. Each aircraft provided a flypast or two and all joined up later for a beautiful formation sequence.
To single out one highlight in a flying program like today is impossible. But there is something to be said about an act returning to EAA Airventure after an absence of just on forty years. The Frecce Tricolori made a return to Airventure on their extensive USA Tour. Despite the show being restricted to a flat display, it was spectacular!
Bernie Vasquez is a regular on the USA Airshow circuit and flies a variety of aircraft, today Bernie showed a P47 Thunderbolt affectionately known as Bonnie.
Unlimited aerobatics is a discipline that requires special machinery. But what if you could cruise comfortably at 200 knots and have space for a passenger and luggage? Enter the GB1 from Gamebird. This impressive machine was demonstrated by Philip Steinbach.
David Martin received his pilot's license at 17 and never looked back. A successful aviation career saw him flying a Cap232 in competition aerobatics and today at Oshkosh a unique aircraft, the AJI T610 Super Pinto. This jet was envisioned to train US Pilots and saw some use in the 1960's. David delivered a spirited performance complete with external smoke generators!
After a long and somewhat damp day, most retired to the comfort of the South African camp for a wonderfully prepared Alaskan Salmon dinner with all the trimmings. It was delicious!
As I was preparing this report, I was called outside to witness a spectacular drone show. I close with one image of this nearly 15-minute-long drone show. It just goes to demonstrate that you never really know what to expect at EAA Airventure. It is always full of surprises! If you have not visited EAA Airventure yet, you need to make sure that you are here next year! Go to www.airadventure.co.za to book your spot for next year!
Just Aircraft Highlander Flight AirVenture Oshkosh 2024
