5 Things We Can’t Wait to See at EAA AirVenture 2022
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is almost here, folks!
Every July, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) organizes the world’s largest airshow in the little town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event lasts five days, and people come from all over the world to spend the week celebrating aviation. From bush planes to fighter jets to the Piper Cub, just about every plane you can think of -- and some you couldn’t imagine -- can be found at Oshkosh.
Our studio has had the opportunity to both work and present at EAA AirVenture in the past, but this year lead designer Ray Mattison gets to kick back and spectate. Here are the five things he’s most excited to see at AirVenture 2022:
The 75th Anniversary of the US Airforce
This year, the EAA will be paying tribute to the US Airforce
by showcasing historical planes, special events, and presentations. In the past, the Airforce has done some spectacular things at Oshkosh, like when the F22 Raptor, an air superiority fighter, pulled off a Cobra Manuever -- essentially going completely vertical in the air. It’s science fiction come to life.
Considering the incredible things the Airforce has done in the past, Ray is looking forward to seeing how they’ll commemorate this big milestone.
Seaplane Corn Roast
The Seaplane base has a legendary status around Oshkosh.
It’s an island on Lake Winnebago where all the seaplane pilots gather, swap stories, and relax. There are less people, big shady trees, and a cool lake breeze. For those reasons, the atmosphere is much more laid back than it is on the main tarmac.
Rumor has it the manufacturers are throwing a corn roast on the island one of the evenings during the week. In all our studio’s years at Oshkosh, we have never made it to the base…but this year, you can find Ray roasting corn and kicking it by the lake.
Mike Patey
The infamous Mike Patey will be in the Garmin booth at AirVenture 2022,
showing off his latest creation. Mike Pattey is basically the Dr. Frankenstein of airplanes. His first monster, Draco, is a bush plane that can take off on a runway of only 70-90 feet. To put that in perspective, most planes need about 800-1200 feet. Draco’s takeoff is a bit longer than it’s wingspan.. It’s madness.
This year, Pattey will be showcasing “Scrappy,” a Piper Cub outfitted with an Everglade airboat engine and propeller that can carry two electric motorcycles -- and, while carrying them, can charge them using solar panels attached to its wings. Cause…reasons.
Ray stoked about meeting this guy. He has so many questions, but really they all boil down to “why,” and “how??”
The One Week Wonder
The One Week Wonder happens every year at AirVenture
but this year Ray will be able to watch the process unfold. The idea is simple: a group of people build a fully-functioning, flyable aircraft in just one week at Oshkosh. Spectators mill about while engineers and other aviation aficionados put it all together in a matter of days. Now that’s experimental aviation at its best.
Not sure who the lucky pilot is who gets to fly the aircraft at the end of the week, but we all need to buy that person a beer.
Make it stand out
At AirVenture, there’s an airshow every day of the week -- but there’s only one night show.
It is hands down the best airshow on the planet. You can expect to see flaming wingtips, crazy aerobatics, explosions, and itty bitty RC airplanes all lit up and synchronized. Yeah…those little guys always steal the show.
The EAA announced that it recently hired a new pyrotechnics team, so we’re eager to see what sort of firework shenanigans they come up with.
Are you going to Oshkosh this year?