EAA Sport Aviation

EAA news & views h tline F or the latest information, and to subscribe to e-hotline, visit www.EAA.org or e-mail eHotline@EAA.org

A380 Coming to Oshkosh!

All eyes will be on the flightline Tuesday, July 28, when the Airbus A380 arrives to open the daily EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show. It’s the first opportunity in North America for the general public to see the mammoth airliner—the world’s largest—up close on static display and in flight.

“The A380 represents an amazing feat of aircraft design, engineering, and construction, and it will hold the distinction of being the largest passenger aircraft ever to have filled our sky and rolled onto our ramp,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman and president.

“AirVenture Oshkosh celebrates aviation’s pioneering spirit and the various demonstrations of that spirit, large and small. With the A380 coming, I’d say we have the ‘large’ base covered this year.”

Prior to landing, the A380 will perform a flight demonstration to kick off the air show, then the massive bird will dominate AirVenture’s main aircraft showcase area, AeroShell Square, through Friday, July 31. Again leading off the air show that day, the A380 will take off

and perform a flight demonstration before departing.

“The Airbus team is grateful to EAA for hosting the A380 this summer,” said Airbus Americas Chairman T. Allan McArtor. “We have been looking forward to bringing the aircraft to AirVenture, where the innovative accomplishments of global aviation take the spotlight.”

Aircraft Groups to Gather for Oshkosh Journey

As aircraft from around the world make their way to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer, hundreds of aviators gather together to arrive at Wittman Regional Airport in flocks of kindred aircraft, creating their own communities along the flightline.

Groups scheduled to arrive en masse at Oshkosh in 2009 include Cessna 150s and 152s, in honor of the Cessna 150’s 50th anniversary; Beechcraft Bonanzas (Bonanzas to Oshkosh); Cessnas (Cessnas 2 Oshkosh); Mooneys (Mooney Caravan); Piper Comanches; and

custom-built Van’s RV airplanes. In addition, groups of warbirds such as the T- 6, T- 28, T- 34, and Nanchang Red Stars will arrive as groups during the afternoon air show on Monday, July 27.

Many people come to Oshkosh early just to see these mass arrivals, scheduled July 24-26 and coordinated between EAA, FAA, and the individual aircraft groups. Pilots in the mass arrivals receive thorough briefings prior to arriving at Oshkosh, and scheduled arrivals could be altered due to weather or other factors.