Wisconsin Photojournalist Reflects on Years of EAA Adventures

Flying on the Concorde to meeting aviation legends, Mike Kearns shares his behind-the-scenes memories; plus, EAA’s big numbers

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Fly-In is an annual end of July spectacle attracting aviation enthusiasts from around the globe to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One veteran photojournalist has a unique perspective after covering the event for decades. Mike Kearns is now retired from TV news but has tried a different role at EAA: as a volunteer. His behind-the-scenes stories as both a photographer and volunteer are full of adventure.

“I’ve attended about 34 fly-ins. Each year is the same but different,” Kearns explains. “The period from the 1990s into the 2000s saw so many breakthroughs in aviation.”

One standout memory? The opportunity to fly on the British Concorde from Oshkosh to Toronto and back in 1994. 

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he recalls. “When you tell people you flew on the Concorde, they can hardly believe it.”

His career as a photojournalist covering the fly-in each year also allowed him to meet numerous celebrities and aviation legends, including John Denver, John Travolta, Harrison Ford, and the Tuskegee Airmen. 

“The stories everyone has to tell and what brings them to Oshkosh each year are remarkable,” he says.

After retiring from TV news, Kearns eventually decided to return to EAA as a volunteer. His assignment landed him in a golf cart, helping media personnel from around the world navigate the vast grounds.

“It’d been 14 years since my last fly-in. A few things had changed or been upgraded but the expansion of the camping area was astonishing,” Kearns says. “It’s just a great way to reconnect to an event I’ve always enjoyed.” 

And for first-time visitors, Kearns has some good advice. 

“Get there as early as possible, explore the variety of planes, and don’t miss the airshow, especially the Warbirds and military planes,” he suggests. “It’s a little like the Smithsonian; you can’t see it all in one day, but you can hit the highlights. And since it’s really focused on the airplanes and pilots, strike up a conversation with someone hanging around by their plane. They’re always willing to share their passion and story.”

EAA by the numbers:

• The AirVenture Fly-in has been an annual event for 71 years
• 600,000 people in attendance from more than 80 countries
• 12,000 planes land and park across 16,000 acres
• 2500 show planes including 1057 homebuilt, 939 vintage, 400 warbirds, 188 ultralights and light-sport, 105 seaplanes, 62 aerobatic aircraft, 7 in other categories
• 25 venues host 1,200 speakers and workshops
• 5,500 volunteers
• 900 media representatives from around the world
• Economic impact based on a UW Oshkosh study shows $170-million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown)
• 1000+ Porta-Potties

For more numbers and updates, visit the EAA website.