OSHKOSH, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – People from all over the globe are a part of the largest fly-in in the world, EAA AirVenture 2024.

Jerre Hill, a pilot for 54 years, came in from Colorado. This is his 35th EAA AirVenture.

“Just, I can’t get enough of this place–the people and the airplanes; just the whole atmosphere. It’s unlike anything else that I’ve ever experienced,” said Hill. “I fit right in with these people. I see a lot of old guys who look just like me. They’re dressed like me. They have facial hair like me”

Hill said he has a home-built plane, but this year he drove all the way from Colorado to see other home-builts and the military planes on display.

EAA AirVenture is a family affair

Tim Jacobson and Logan Jacobson of Sacramento, California, a father and son duo, came to EAA for just one day.

“Outside of always loving to be able to come; this week is Bud Anderson’s tribute. He was a personal friend of ours,” said Tim Jacobson.

The Jacobsons only stayed a day at EAA AirVenture. But 14-year-old Logan was excited to see the military jets, although he was disappointed he couldn’t see the cockpit of the B-52.

A married couple, Mike and Sandy Dewey are from Annapolis, Maryland. He’s come every year since 2007. He either flies in with a friend. Or if Sandy is coming along, like she did this year, they come in via commercial flight.

Mike said they stay for the whole event and are here for more than just the planes.

“One of my biggest things is the forums. I like to learn new things. It’s also too, visiting with friends. We love the chapel service they have every morning at 7 o’clock with Cam, the chaplain,” said Mike. “There’s so much going on here! It’s like anything you want to find is here.

Sandy Dewey said coming to EAA seems like a natural thing for her to do.

“My dad was a pilot. He was a Navy pilot. And my brother was a Navy pilot. So I’m used to going and looking at airplanes my whole life. It’s just normal. That’s just what you do. You look at airplanes,” Sandy said. “And then there’s lots of people and I like people.”

Bill, who didn’t give his last name is from North Carolina. He too is a fan of the forums and the chance to learn more about home-built airplanes.

“I’m building a plane. And I came up here to check out some of the forums,” said Bill. “And meet with some of the builders to see exactly how they did certain aspects of their planes.”

A worldwide marketplace

Others are at EAA to promote new technology and break into the American marketplace. Francesco said he and his co-worker Marco came to EAA AirVenture from Italy to show off the Dardo.

“We are exhibitors. So we are introducing for the first time, a new light airplane to the American market. This is a LSA light sport aircraft in Europe. However, cannot be light sport in United States because it features retractable gear. So therefore this is a first, let’s say, market study. The idea is to explore if there is interest for home built (in the US market),” said Francesco.

Dardo airplane on display at EAA AirVenture. The plane was designed and manufactured in Italy. — Manufacturers and designers of new aircraft in Italy brought the Dardo to EAA AirVenture 2024 to gauge interest in the American marketplace. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

EAA AirVenture 2024 has afternoon airshows scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and a night airshow complete with fireworks and drones on Saturday night. The largest fly-in in the world concludes on Sunday.

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