‘Impressive’ people made EAA AirVenture a captivating experience

Here is this week’s letter to the editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.

‘Impressive’ people made EAA AirVenture a captivating experience

On the afternoon of July 23, my friends and I arrived in Oshkosh for the EAA air show. For almost a year, we had been planning our trip.

Back home in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, friends who had made previous trips to the show kept using the word “overwhelmed.” They told us to be prepared to be “overwhelmed” by the show, and we were.

No matter if we attended an informative seminar, toured a history changing B-29, gawked at the agility and power of supersonic fighter jets, felt the passion from the owner of a homebuilt airplane, or reflected about what the Wright Brothers sparked with their first flight — we were captivated.

Whether we opt to return for another Oshkosh air show isn’t important.

No, the important piece is this — there is no air show without people.

From the people who graciously checked us in at the Gruenhagen Conference Center, ticket takers, bus drivers, food service workers, vendors, volunteers and all the people who handle the logistics behind the scenes, we were impressed.

These people were well-trained, effective communicators, and most importantly driven to give their best no matter how many people were in the serving line or packed into a bus.

Additionally, we loved the emphasis on aviation education for our youth and women. They are the key to the future.

Rest up, Oshkosh.

July 2025 is a blink away.

And those guests want to be overwhelmed, too.

Bill Pike

Richmond, Virginia

Author’s note: From July 23-27 three college friends: Steve Boone, Dan Callow, Steve Hodge, and I traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the EAA Airshow. On the way back, I was stranded overnight in the Philadelphia Airport. Luckily, I had my laptop with me and composed the letter. Thanks to the editors at the Oshkosh Northwestern for publishing the letter on Sunday, August 4, 2024.