AirVenture 2025: The Ultimate Aviation Experience
Every summer, hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts gather for what is widely described as the greatest flying event in the world, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. In July 2025, our journey began at London Heathrow as we crossed the Atlantic to spend a week immersed in aircraft, innovation and community at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin.
Over the course of the week, 750,000 visitors descended on Oshkosh. The scale is staggering. According to official figures, the show featured 2,543 showplanes and 16,246 aircraft operations at Wittman and surrounding fields.
Aircraft categories included 995 vintage aircraft, 910 homebuilt aircraft, 361 warbirds, 101 ultralights and light planes, 75 aerobatic aircraft, 74 seaplanes and amphibians, 18 rotorcraft and 9 balloons.
For any self proclaimed avgeek, this is paradise.
A week like no other
Each day brought something new. From short field take off and landing competitions on the grass strip to aviation workshops and breathtaking air displays, there was always more to see. We even spotted the very first Cessna 172, serial 001, still flying strong.
Static displays rotated daily, with rarities like a Boeing 747SP engine testbed from Pratt and Whitney and a Lockheed U-2reconnaissance aircraft taking centre stage. The sheer variety meant no two days were the same. Averaging 30,000 steps, around six miles per day, we still barely scratched the surface. Photographs simply cannot capture the scale.
More than just aircraft
What truly makes Oshkosh unforgettable are the people. It feels like one enormous aviation family, with conversations flowing effortlessly between enthusiasts, pilots, engineers and dreamers from across the globe.
A standout moment was joining the Piper Comanche Owners Group for a traditional gumbo night. Dozens of beautifully preserved Comanches were parked together, classic country music played in the background, and everyone shared food and stories under the Wisconsin sunset. It was welcoming, relaxed and unmistakably aviation at heart. We even bumped into visitors connected with Pooleys.
The cultural exchange was just as interesting. US pilots were keen to hear how general aviation works in the UK, and the differences were striking. In America, light aircraft are not just for recreation. They are used as practical, everyday transport.
Post Oshkosh: Chicago skyline flying
After the intensity of Oshkosh, we slowed the pace with a visit to Gambit Aviation. Their aerobatic aircraft collection was impressive, and after a checkout flight with an instructor, we headed east for something special, a scenic flight along the Chicago skyline.
Hugging the shoreline of Lake Michigan, we passed skyscrapers and landmarks familiar to generations of flight simulator enthusiasts, including the remains of Meigs Field. It was a surreal mix of nostalgia and adrenaline.
Final thoughts
How do you sum up AirVenture Oshkosh. Simply put, you cannot. It is more than an airshow. It is the pinnacle of aviation gatherings. From the aircraft and displays to the friendships and shared passion, it left us inspired and already planning our return.
For anyone with aviation in their blood, this is not just a trip. It is a pilgrimage.
