Oshkosh
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Oshkosh
Planning to attend AirVenture Oshkosh sometime. Any tips on how best to get there from the UK?
I was thinking of flying to Chicago or possibly Minneapolis then hiring a car. But if I'm having to change flights at some point there might be easier/closer destinations than MSP. As for accommodation, how long in advance do I need to book?
I was thinking of flying to Chicago or possibly Minneapolis then hiring a car. But if I'm having to change flights at some point there might be easier/closer destinations than MSP. As for accommodation, how long in advance do I need to book?
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Flew out to Chicago, then drove up.
Accommodation, try University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh but do it now. I seem to recall I was put on waiting list, but got two twin rooms, can't remember how far in advance I applied. There is a bus service to the airport which is handy!
Accommodation, try University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh but do it now. I seem to recall I was put on waiting list, but got two twin rooms, can't remember how far in advance I applied. There is a bus service to the airport which is handy!
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Flying to Chicago is probably the most efficient route. Unless you are travelling alone, hiring a motorhome ("RV") which can be parked right by the airfield may be an efficient solution. But for any half-decent accommodation / services in the area, you probably need to be booking several months in advance.
If you fly LHR-ORD you can either fly ORD-ATW (Appleton, which is KOSH's closest commercial airfield) or hire a car and drive up from Chicago. I have flown into MSP but the drive is much longer. You can either camp on the airfield, rent an apartment nearby or book a hotel. There is a Hilton on the airfield but it'll be fully booked already for EAA 2018.
Air Venture, as it's called, runs from Sunday to Sunday however I would only recommend attending for a few days (perhaps the Thursday, Friday and Saturday). By the final Sunday most exhibitors have packed up and left and a large number of aircraft will have already departed, the airfield is left feeling a little deserted and the excitement/buzz has gone.
I would highly recommend being there for the Saturday - there is an awesome BBQ down at the Seaplane Base followed by a spectacular night time airshow in the evening.
I would personally recommend looking into camping on the airfield or as close to it as possible. There are excellent shower facilities around the show ground which are free to use, the whole thing is expertly organised and you'll have a great time (assuming the weather plays ball).
Air Venture, as it's called, runs from Sunday to Sunday however I would only recommend attending for a few days (perhaps the Thursday, Friday and Saturday). By the final Sunday most exhibitors have packed up and left and a large number of aircraft will have already departed, the airfield is left feeling a little deserted and the excitement/buzz has gone.
I would highly recommend being there for the Saturday - there is an awesome BBQ down at the Seaplane Base followed by a spectacular night time airshow in the evening.
I would personally recommend looking into camping on the airfield or as close to it as possible. There are excellent shower facilities around the show ground which are free to use, the whole thing is expertly organised and you'll have a great time (assuming the weather plays ball).
Have done Oshkosh from the UK for past 11 years - I did a couple of organised tours then decided it was easier to do it myself.
Have tried LHR - ORD a few time with flights to either Green Bay or Appleton (mainly on United as American did not fly to Appleton until this year)
For the past couple of years I have used Delta to Detroit and again either Appleton / Green Bay. Tend to stay in Appleton as its a shortish drive.
For the show itself it is worth getting there for the weekend before as you should see some of the mass arrivals - 80 Bonanza's is impressive.
Join EAA as if you are staying for the week you get a discount on the entrance fee. It is well organised with 'trams' running through the ground to get around the airfield but you will do a bit of walking. There are plenty of food / drink places as you would expect. Food choice / quality has improved over the years.
Aircraft are grouped into themed areas - Warbirds / vintage / homebuilts / ultralights (they have their own grass runway) with a lot of aircraft parking areas (approx. 3,000 aircraft on the ground this year) There is a flying display each afternoon with a variety of acts that do repeat during the week.
There is also the EAA museum which is worth a visit but does get busy if the weather turns rainy. The seaplane base is worth a visit as you get a number of floatplanes there and it is a less hectic that the main show areas. Buses take you there from the main show for a small fee - 3 dollars this year
The main warbird show is usually on the Friday but warbirds for feature in the other day's flying displays.
If you like photography then that is usually no problem. Few barriers around aircraft although tents etc do sometimes get in the way in the camping areas (another reason to get there early) The east / west runway is good in the mornings as sun is behind. The main north / south runway is good in the afternoons for the flying displays etc. The variety of aircraft that get to the show is its major attraction - this year there were 2 x B29 in formation, B1, B2,B52 in formation (sort of) 12x B25, Blue Angels, F22, F35 and many more. Anyone who has any interest in aviation should do it once as there is nothing else like it.
Have tried LHR - ORD a few time with flights to either Green Bay or Appleton (mainly on United as American did not fly to Appleton until this year)
For the past couple of years I have used Delta to Detroit and again either Appleton / Green Bay. Tend to stay in Appleton as its a shortish drive.
For the show itself it is worth getting there for the weekend before as you should see some of the mass arrivals - 80 Bonanza's is impressive.
Join EAA as if you are staying for the week you get a discount on the entrance fee. It is well organised with 'trams' running through the ground to get around the airfield but you will do a bit of walking. There are plenty of food / drink places as you would expect. Food choice / quality has improved over the years.
Aircraft are grouped into themed areas - Warbirds / vintage / homebuilts / ultralights (they have their own grass runway) with a lot of aircraft parking areas (approx. 3,000 aircraft on the ground this year) There is a flying display each afternoon with a variety of acts that do repeat during the week.
There is also the EAA museum which is worth a visit but does get busy if the weather turns rainy. The seaplane base is worth a visit as you get a number of floatplanes there and it is a less hectic that the main show areas. Buses take you there from the main show for a small fee - 3 dollars this year
The main warbird show is usually on the Friday but warbirds for feature in the other day's flying displays.
If you like photography then that is usually no problem. Few barriers around aircraft although tents etc do sometimes get in the way in the camping areas (another reason to get there early) The east / west runway is good in the mornings as sun is behind. The main north / south runway is good in the afternoons for the flying displays etc. The variety of aircraft that get to the show is its major attraction - this year there were 2 x B29 in formation, B1, B2,B52 in formation (sort of) 12x B25, Blue Angels, F22, F35 and many more. Anyone who has any interest in aviation should do it once as there is nothing else like it.
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A few suggestions:
Hotels book up early and can get expensive. Check the EAA Airventure website for housing. Many locals rent their house out for the duration and is better value, especially for a group sharing. AirBnB may also offer options, but best to book early.
Camping is a good option too. $100 would get you tent and bedding from Walmart and leave it at the Goodwill store behind the North 40 when you leave (you might even be able to buy the stuff there in the first place).
Car rentals at Oshkosh are expensive as lots of the fly in visitors book them up. Better to get a car from further away. It's only a 3-4 hour drive from Chicago.
Hotels book up early and can get expensive. Check the EAA Airventure website for housing. Many locals rent their house out for the duration and is better value, especially for a group sharing. AirBnB may also offer options, but best to book early.
Camping is a good option too. $100 would get you tent and bedding from Walmart and leave it at the Goodwill store behind the North 40 when you leave (you might even be able to buy the stuff there in the first place).
Car rentals at Oshkosh are expensive as lots of the fly in visitors book them up. Better to get a car from further away. It's only a 3-4 hour drive from Chicago.
