EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: Everything You Need to Know

What is EAA AirVenture Oshkosh?

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association, held at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The 2023 event drew 677,000 attendees; 2024 hit 686,000. Over the seven-day run, more than 10,000 aircraft arrive, making KOSH the world's busiest airport for that week — ahead of Atlanta and Chicago O'Hare by movements per day. The event began in 1953 in Milwaukee, moved to Rockford, Illinois, then settled in Oshkosh in 1970.

The show is built around homebuilt and experimental aircraft, but the program has long since expanded to warbirds, vintage aircraft, aerobatics, military demonstrations, ultralights, helicopters, and increasingly business jets and electric/eVTOL prototypes. Boeing, Textron, Garmin, Honda Aircraft, and most major OEMs run pavilions. The annual airshow runs both afternoon and night performances.

When does AirVenture take place?

AirVenture runs the last full week of July, Monday through Sunday. The 2025 edition is July 21–27; 2026 is July 20–26; 2027 is July 26–August 1. Mass arrivals — formation flights of type clubs like Bonanzas, Cessnas, Mooneys, and Cirrus — typically start the Saturday before opening day. Serious attendees arrive that weekend; departures peak the Sunday and Monday after closing.

The FAA NOTAM is typically published in late May or early June and is in effect roughly from the Thursday before opening through the Monday after closing.

How do private aircraft arrive at KOSH?

Private arrivals follow the FAA's Oshkosh NOTAM, which replaces standard IFR and VFR procedures with a published visual arrival from RIPON, Wisconsin, up the railroad tracks to FISKE intersection, where controllers issue runway assignments by rocking wings. Pilots fly 90 knots at 1,800 feet MSL, or 135 knots at 2,300 feet for faster aircraft, in trail with no radio transmissions until told to rock wings.

Controllers land aircraft simultaneously on multiple touchdown points on runways 18/36 and 9/27 — color-coded dots on the pavement. Spacing is often under a half mile. Pilots who haven't flown the NOTAM before are strongly advised to fly it with someone experienced, or arrive midweek when volume is lower. The NOTAM is roughly 32 pages; reading it cover to cover is not optional.

IFR arrivals are possible but slot-controlled during peak periods, and pilots must cancel IFR and join the visual procedure once in range. Turbine and jet traffic typically lands on 9/27 with controlled separation rather than the visual conga line.

What does it cost to fly in and park?

Aircraft camping at KOSH runs roughly $35 per night for the aircraft plus $40 per person per night for camping, with the weekly aircraft registration around $30. Showplane parking in Vintage, Warbirds, Homebuilt, or Classic areas requires a registration form and a judge's inspection. Premium spots in the North 40 and South 40 fill quickly and are first-come, first-served once you land.

For jets, KOSH offers transient parking with prior arrangement through Basler Flight Service, the on-field FBO. Jet parking is limited and reserved in advance — typically by April or May for late-arriving aircraft. Expect ramp fees several multiples of normal due to demand; fuel is available but lines are long. Many jet operators drop passengers and reposition the aircraft to Appleton (KATW), Green Bay (KGRB), Milwaukee (KMKE), or Fond du Lac (KFLD) for the week.

What are the alternate airports for AirVenture?

Fond du Lac (KFLD) sits 18 nautical miles south of KOSH and operates as the official ultralight and light-sport reliever, with its own NOTAM procedures and shuttle service to the AirVenture grounds. Appleton International (KATW) is 17 nautical miles north and handles overflow business jet traffic with two FBOs (Platinum Flight Center and Appleton Flight Center). Green Bay Austin Straubel (KGRB) is 45 nautical miles north with Jet Air Group and Executive Air. Milwaukee Mitchell (KMKE) is 75 nautical miles south with Signature and Atlantic.

Charter operators dropping clients almost always reposition. A heavy jet sitting on the KOSH ramp for a week, if a spot can even be secured, is poor utilization. The realistic playbook is drop-and-go at KOSH or KATW, reposition empty, and return for pickup.

Where do attendees stay?

Hotel inventory within 30 miles of Oshkosh — roughly 6,000 rooms across Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, and Fond du Lac — books out 9 to 12 months in advance, often longer for the closer properties. Rates run 200–400% of off-season. Camp Scholler, the on-grounds tent and RV campground, accommodates roughly 40,000 people and is the most authentic way to attend; sites open the weekend before and fill fast.

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh dorms rent rooms during the show. Airbnb inventory in the region is largely booked by spring. Attendees flying in privately and staying off-airport need ground transport reserved well in advance — Uber and Lyft coverage exists but surge pricing is brutal during arrival and departure peaks.

Who attends AirVenture?

The attendee base is broader than the homebuilder roots suggest. Roughly 40% of attendees come from outside the United States, with strong contingents from Australia, Brazil, Germany, and the UK. Pilots and aircraft owners make up the core, but the show also draws aviation industry executives, OEM engineering teams, military aviators, aviation media, and tens of thousands of families. Forums and workshops run continuously across more than 1,500 sessions during the week.

The business aviation crowd has grown sharply since the late 2010s. Textron, Daher, Pilatus, HondaJet, and Cirrus all use Oshkosh as a major product reveal venue. Garmin and Avidyne run hands-on avionics demos. Engine OEMs Continental, Lycoming, and Rotax hold dealer and customer events.

When should I book?

Book hotels by the previous September if you want anything within 20 miles of the field. Jet parking at KOSH should be arranged with Basler by April. Charter aircraft for the Oshkosh week should be contracted by May at the latest — operators stop quoting trips into KATW and KGRB by mid-June as crew duty and repositioning windows fill. Camp Scholler RV sites for the following year sell out within days of the current year's show ending.

Pilots flying themselves should review the NOTAM the day it publishes, fly the arrival in a simulator or with an experienced Oshkosh pilot, and plan a midweek arrival to avoid the Saturday-Sunday compression.