An F-16 gets a tow to its display spot on AeroShell Square. Photo by Dave Higdon

It’s called a static display. But there’s little that’s static about the military and civilian aircraft that are continually moved about the ramp while on display at AeroShell Square during EAA AirVenture. AeroShell Square is the central showcase during the fly-in. Display aircraft, from the Air Force’s gigantic C-17 to a diminutive French Cri-cri, come and go throughout AirVenture, and that means aircraft on the ramp don’t stay in one place for long. To see these aircraft tugged, towed, and repositioned is like watching a well-choreographed, slow-motion ballet. And orchestrating the entire performance are the volunteers of AeroShell Square.

"The beautiful thing about AeroShell Square is there’s something going on from six in the morning until we leave when it’s dark," said Zonnie Fritsche of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, AeroShell Square chairman.

The nerve center for the tug operations is the headquarters building at the northeast corner of the ramp, decorated with pictures of dozens of aircraft that have arrived here over the years and autographed by pilots, flight crews, and other notables. Their day officially begins with a 7:30 a.m. briefing to discuss the aircraft that are scheduled to arrive and depart that day. On a typical day two dozen or more aircraft may arrive, and as many leave.

"You just don’t think about how many aircraft you move," Fritsche said. "I think I can safely say we probably do anywhere from a thousand to 1,200 towing operations during a 14-day period."

Fritsche has more than 60 volunteers to assist in the job, supplemented by military personnel who are responsible for moving their aircraft. Many of the volunteers have aviation backgrounds—ex-military, airline pilots, even an engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works in California, according to Fritsche. Their average length of service on the AeroShell Square tow squad is more than 12 years. ASIG of Milwaukee donates tugs, tow bars, and air stairs used for the operations.

In planning where to position the aircraft, Fritsche and his team work with a large magnetic board depicting AeroShell Square and scale metal cutouts of the aircraft scheduled for display. It’s similar to the "Ouija board" used to position aircraft on an aircraft carrier deck.

"What you’re doing is making a master jigsaw puzzle every year, and because of experience you know those pieces will fit," Fritsche said.

AeroShell Square Vice Chairman and Master Sgt. Mike Williams of the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, arranges the layout. He’s been on the team for 19 years.

"We get a general plan, we know what needs to be done, and from then it’s just a moving target," Williams said. "And when it looks like we know what we’re doing, that plan came together two minutes ago."

A minimum of three people are used to move each plane—one to operate the tug and a wing-walker on each wing. Often more personnel will be called in—someone to lead the procession and additional wing-walkers to help keep the crowd out of harm’s way.

"We never use a horn," said Fritsche.

A supervisor is in radio contact with the crews during tug operations.

The AeroShell Square crew also is responsible for moving all the exhibitors’ aircraft to their display areas.

One of the newest members of the team is Dick Hanusa. The former air traffic controller has been volunteering at AirVenture Operations since 1986 and was asked to join the AeroShell Square team as a coordinator after the untimely passing of former chairman Daryl Lenz last year.

"I had worked with AirVenture for 20 years, and didn’t realize how much aircraft movement was done and how much activity was encompassed," Hanusa said. "Not only in AeroShell Square, but basically everything west of Knapp Street. I don’t think anybody understands that the hundreds of aircraft back there are moved in by AeroShell Square personnel. That was the biggest surprise for me."

Given the long hours spent together and their shared love of the aircraft they move, the AeroShell Square members have formed strong bonds.

"This is a family reunion for us every year," Fritsche said. "You can’t explain the love and the family we have here."

Meanwhile, Mike Williams doesn’t know how much longer he’ll be in the Air National Guard, but probably not as long as he’ll be working with the tug team at AeroShell Square.

"As you know," Williams said, "if you’ve been around the EAA convention, once you get in, it’s hard to get back out."

A 360 degree view of activities at AeroShell Square.
Click here for an interactive QuickTime view which allows zoom capabilities.