Aviation News — September 2017

F

or one week a small regional airport

in the US, about 175 miles (281km)

north of Chicago, became the

busiest in the world.

The traffic was generated by EAA

(Experimental Aircraft Association)

AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, which ran from

July 24 to July 30. It attracted some of

the world’s most awe-inspiring displays

where new aircraft and acts joined old

favourites.

The good weather, apart from one day

which saw a couple of downpours, matched

the whole occasion.

Jack Pelton, EAA Chief Executive and

Chairman, said it was a record-setting year,

with an estimated 600,000 visitors, 5% up

on the previous year. Through Saturday,

more than 15,500 aircraft movements were

recorded.

Aircraft and vehicle parking areas  lled

up faster than ever before and, on the

Saturday, new car park areas were opened

for the  rst time.

One of the most notable sights was

the formation of three USAF bombers, the

B-52H, B-1B and B-2A in the sky together.

This was said by commentators to be the

 rst time this trio had appeared  ying in

formation at a non-military air show.

At the other end of the spectrum was

a display from three F-86s: NX188RL,

CWF86-F-30-NA from the Warbird Heritage

Foundation/Coleman Warbird Museum;

N50CJ, Canadair F-86E MK.6, owned by

Sabrejet, and N48178 (FU-178), F-86A from

Heritage Air – built in 1948 and the oldest

jet aircraft in the world still  ying. Equally

as rare were the two P-63 King Cobras

and a P-39 Airacobra. There are only two

 yable P-39s and four airworthy P-63s left

in the world.

RECORD-BREAKING

OSHKOSH

Jay Selman

reports on

this year’s

hugely successful

AirVenture.

48 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017

F

or one week a small regional airport Above: A rare American-registered Mil Mi-2 This was said by commentators to be the

(N211PZ) showed up this year.

Two B-29s making history at

Oshkosh, Doc (right) and F i .

All photos Jay Selman unless stated

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