Year over year we see growth, something we want in our portfolios and general aviation. The annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has once again proven why it’s the world’s greatest aviation celebration. This year’s turnout was the biggest ever, setting new records in attendance, aircraft arrivals, and volunteer participation.
Unprecedented Attendance and Participation
The numbers speak for themselves:
- Attendance: Nearly 700,000 aviation enthusiasts gathered from all corners of the globe, making this the largest turnout in the event’s history.
- Camping: Over 40,000 campers set up their temporary homes across the sprawling grounds. (that is more than 10x the size of the town our office is in at 3F2
- Aircraft Arrivals: More than 10,000 aircraft flew in, filling every available space at Wittman Regional Airport and surrounding airfields.
- Volunteers: Around 5,000 volunteers, including pilots, aviation students, and enthusiasts, dedicated countless hours to ensuring the event ran smoothly.
Praising the EAA and Its Volunteers
A special shout-out goes to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the thousands of volunteers whose tireless work made this event a resounding success. From driving buses and trams to maintaining security, organizing activities, and keeping the grounds pristine, their dedication is truly commendable.
One of the most underappreciated yet essential tasks is keeping the restrooms clean. Sharing space with nearly 700,000 other aviators can get messy, hot, and tiring. Yet, thanks to the EAA’s massive team, everything runs like a well-oiled machine. The challenge of finding stray trash at Oshkosh is nearly impossible, a testament to their hard work and commitment.
Every year, I leave Oshkosh with the same thought: “Aviators should run the world.”
A Blockbuster for AirSpace
This year was also a significant one for AirSpace. We made invaluable connections with individual aviators, flight schools, collectors, and other businesses. We also had the pleasure of meeting a few of our inquiries, bidders, buyers, and listers in person. The concept of providing thorough records and great disclosures at the front end of the buying process has been very well received, leading to incredible opportunities for expansion. Look out on our social media for some testimonials coming soon once we catch up from OSH.
Adventures and Memories
Oshkosh is not just about business; it’s about building lasting memories. We saw old friends and made new ones. We made a round at SOS and chanted “USA! USA! USA!” with a lively crowd of young and old. We were invited to watch the night airshow from the ramp, witnessed the pivot (how my kids will go grocery shopping someday), enjoyed the STOL display, paragliders, ultralights, and warbirds (young and old). We paused our conversations while F-16s flew over and marveled at the best gathering of Burt Rutan aircraft we’ve ever seen in one place.
When we needed a break, we hung out at the AeroVerse watching some great programming. We had a few minutes of face time with Jimmy of Jimmy’s World and got to hang with Sebastian from ATC Pilot. We even started a paper airplane war in Hangar D and instigated another at Camp Scholler. We were visited by a seller of an incredible Gamebird GB1 (coming later this month), enjoyed cheese curd tacos, and yes, I did have to look at my pictures to remember all of this.
Looking Ahead: Maintaining Excellence
As we navigate these new relationships and listings, our primary goal is to maintain the high level of customer service that our clients expect. If we met at Oshkosh and you haven’t heard from us yet, please know that we are diligently working our way down the list. Don’t hesitate to give us a call or reply to this blog if you need immediate assistance.
Setting Our Sights on New Aircraft
As we move past OSH, we want to set our sights on certain types of aircraft. What do you want to see more of on the platform? 172s? Twins? What types? Fix-and-fly or well-maintained and ready to go? Let us know in the comments or reach out directly. Your feedback helps us tailor our offerings to meet your needs.
Final Thoughts
Oshkosh AirVenture 2024 was a record-breaking event that highlighted the strength and unity of the aviation community. The dedication of the EAA and its volunteers ensured a positive experience for all, and the event’s success has opened new doors for AirSpace. Here’s to many more years of aviation excellence and camaraderie.
Thank you, EAA, and thank you to all the volunteers. Aviators truly make the world a better place.