They don’t call it “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” for nothing – which is why you’ll be sure to find NASA there.
This year from July 22–28, more than a half-million people will gather at an airport near Appleton, Wisconsin, many of them among the more than 10,000 general aviation pilots who will fly their own aircraft to the site.
For one week these visitors will swap stories, attend forums, visit exhibits, try out the newest innovations in flight, watch aerial demonstrations, tour static displays of aircraft and otherwise just revel in all things aviation.
Operated by the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), the annual event’s history spans six decades and today is an aeronautical tradition known throughout the world by a single name – Oshkosh.
For those who think Oshkosh only refers to bib overalls or a cute pair of jeans, think of it this way: Oshkosh is U.S. aviation’s equivalent to the Super Bowl, or your State Fair (especially if you’re from Minnesota), or Comic-Con International in San Diego, or even Disneyland.
And while certainly entertaining, Oshkosh is far more than that. Not only is it big business to the local economy (to the tune of $110 million), but the personal connections made, transfer of knowledge and experience, and inspiration that comes from this air show can last a lifetime.
An air show can influence a person in a profound way. Many of our NASA astronauts – especially those who flew during Mercury, Gemini and Apollo – can recall becoming smitten with airplanes and flight after seeing their first air show.
The story is similar today throughout NASA’s Aeronautics research family, where a great many can fondly recall their first air show and how it inspired them to pursue aviation as a career.
This writer included.
My first air show was in Minneapolis in 1977. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed and as a member of a local flying club who helped sponsor the event, I had several jobs that ranged from parking cars to hosting a Thunderbird pilot for dinner. That experience helped solidify in me a desire to pursue a career in aviation and space that has sustained me for 40 years.
Given the magnitude of its importance and influence in aviation, it’s no wonder that NASA shows up each year to support EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, as it is officially known.
“The opportunity to inform and inspire this large, curious, inventive and motivated population of all ages is why NASA tells our story at Oshkosh each year,” said Karen Rugg, NASA Aeronautics’ lead for communications and STEM engagement.
To that end, there are dozens of ways an attendee to Oshkosh can find and interact with NASA. Visiting the NASA exhibit pavilion and listening to a presentation from a NASA speaker are just two ideas.
In fact, there are too many ways to fully list all of them here, but they can be found at the Oshkosh website by searching “NASA.”
While you’re at Oshkosh, and even if you’re not, you can use social media to get event reminders by following @NASAaero and #OSH19 on Twitter.
Some highlights:
- At least 17 NASA Aeronautics-related speaker or panel sessions covering developments in Urban Air Mobility, innovations in air traffic management and progress being made with the all-electric X-57 Maxwell and “quiet supersonic” X-59 QueSST research X-planes – among other topics.
- STEM activities related to the X-59 quiet supersonic jet in which visitors will be able to learn more about sound by using various materials to see sound waves in action.
- Updates from NASA’s space program, including the latest news following the Orion Ascent Abort Test at Cape Canaveral, an historical overview of the space race during Project Apollo, and a preview of the astronomical wonders about to be revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope.
- An exhibit in which visitors young and “older” will be able to take the controls of drone flight simulator and see if they have the piloting moxie to safely maneuver the drone in and around the buildings of a dense urban environment, perform aerobatics and bring the drone in for a precise landing.
- NASA research pilots will host autograph signings during the week. NASA astronauts Doug “Wheels” Wheelock and Charlie Precourt will be on hand for selfies. Keep an eye on @NASAaero on Twitter for schedule details.
- NASA will be giving away free books covering both aviation and space topics during the first four days of Oshkosh. Again, keep an eye on social media for the time and place.
Another NASA highlight for the week is Oshkosh’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.
On Friday, July 26, EAA’s Theater in the Woods venue features a night of Apollo programming starting with a deep dive into the lunar lander story with help from a few NASA guests, followed by a moderated talk with Apollo 11 command module pilot, astronaut Mike Collins. If you are at Oshkosh you do not want to miss the chance to be informed and entertained by this sharp, insightful and witty astronaut who will tell you exactly what is on his mind.
