August 3, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny: “I had high expectations for AirVenture 2009, but even those expectations were exceeded. After each event, you like to say it was the best ever, but you can’t do that every year. But I’m going to say it this year – AirVenture 2009 was the best ever. It’s difficult to imagine a week that matched the highlights, enthusiasm, and passion for aviation that we saw this year at Oshkosh.”

Attendance: 578,000 – An increase of 12 percent over 2008.
Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny: “When times are tough, people make choices. Those with a passion for aviation made their choice this year … Oshkosh was the place they couldn’t miss in 2009. I've been chairman of AirVenture since the mid-1970s and I have to say we’ve never had a better lineup of airplanes, people and programs than we had this year. I’m pleased EAA invested nearly $4 million in site improvements over the past 11 months, allowing us to handle this year’s increased attendance. We’ve received extensive and positive feedback on those site improvements and enhancements.”

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

Total showplanes: 2,652 (highest total since 2005). That figure includes 1,023 homebuilt aircraft, 1,007 vintage airplanes, 355 warbirds, 116 ultralights, 99 seaplanes, 36 aerobatic aircraft and 16 rotorcraft.

Commercial exhibitors: 750

International visitors registered: Up slightly from 2008, with 2,182 visitors registered from 75 nations, with Canada (700 visitors), South Africa (220), and Australia (208) the top three nations. (NOTE: This total includes only non-U.S. visitors who register at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.)

Total estimated campers (fly-in and drive-in camping areas): More than 41,000.

Media: 907 media representatives on-site, from five continents.

What’s ahead in 2010?
Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny: “This year we highlighted emerging new aviation technology such as electric-powered aircraft. We will continue the emphasis on those innovations at Oshkosh in 2010. In addition, there are several significant aviation anniversaries next year, such as the 75th anniversary of the DC-3, and further developments in Virgin Galactic’s space tourism efforts.”

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010: July 26-August 1