EAA AirVenture 2024 Tuesday: a rainy start to the day

OSHKOSH, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – The rain this morning didn’t dampen the spirit at EAA AirVenture 2024. Tuesday is day two of the event that brings over 600,000 people to the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport each year. 

One person at the event described it as the Olympics of Aviation. Communications Director Knapinski agrees that it does have an international flair.

“We have media representatives from, just off the top of my head, from Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, Australia. They’re all here. New Zealand is here this year. Certainly a big contingent from Canada,” said Knapinski. “And they all come here because they know ‘This is the place!’ A lot of these aviation people come in. And there are more airplanes on the ground right now here in Oshkosh than they have in their whole country.”

EAA AirVenture is more than a camping, flying, military plane viewing extravaganza. Knapinski says it also features over 800 exhibitors and over 1500 presentations and forums.

“We’ve got more than 60 venues throughout the grounds,” said Knapinski. “You can pick up workshops. You can learn to weld aluminum. If you’re building your own airplane, you can learn sheet metal. You can learn fabric covering. You can learn electronics. And that’s included in your admission. A lot of people come here to learn that hands-on stuff. So they can go back and maybe build the kit airplane of their dreams, so they can fly here in the future.” 

Rain and thunderstorms may return Tuesday evening; however, the rest of the week looks to be sunny and warm. EAA AirVenture 2024 continues through Sunday at Wittman Regional Airport.