Compiled by Willie Bodenstein
Photos by Abri and Amelie Kriegler & Supplied
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Welcome to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
After months of preparation by EAA staff and more than 6,000 volunteers, we're ready to open the gates and say, “Welcome to Oshkosh!”
Education is a key ingredient of our convention; for young people, it starts with KidVenture, at Pioneer Airport. KidVenture provides hands-on activities covering multiple facets of aviation. For those ready to get started, our Learn to Fly Centre in the Four Corners area is staffed by flight instructors who can answer questions and even arrange an introductory lesson in one of our Redbird flight simulators.
Hundreds of forum presentations provide visitors with a chance to learn firsthand from foremost experts in aviation, and our workshops get you hands-on with skills needed to build or restore an aircraft, including wood, metal, wiring, composites, fabric, and even welding.
Then there are our aircraft neighbourhoods, where you'll see an amazing variety of aircraft on display, organized by category.
Our Warbirds area presents the history of military aviation featuring beautifully restored aircraft from multiple eras. Moving south from the warbirds you'll find the group at EAA's roots - homebuilts. These aircraft represent innovation at its finest, as well as being among the most accessible forms of aviation.
Next up is the aerobatic area where you can learn about the world of competition flying and unusual attitudes. Continuing south, you come to the vintage neighbourhood, where you'll find antique and classic civil aircraft, all meticulously restored to better-than-new condition.
Our final display neighbourhood is the Fun Fly Zone, which is home to ultralights and light-sport aircraft, powered parachutes, and rotorcraft, displayed by both individuals and exhibitors, as well as demo flights and our Twilight Flight Fest in the evenings.
For me, the most educational part of the week is the chance not just to look at all of the airplanes on display, but to stop and talk to the people who brought them. Their stories are fascinating, and their passion for aviation is infectious. However, you like to learn, take the time to immerse yourself in whatever interests you, as that's what AirVenture is all about. There's nothing like the experiences you'll have - and the things you'll learn - only in Oshkosh.
Jack J. Pelton Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
The Pitman Brothers are at Oshkosh
Straight from Sling HQ in Johannesburg, James and Andrew will be on the ground at Sling Island, ready to chat, connect and share all things Sling!
Warning: Prolonged exposure may lead to spontaneous aircraft purchases and questionable adventure planning.
WHERE TO FIND US:
TAF Sling: Sling Island - Booths 648, 649 and 650
Sling Pilot Academy: The Education and Career Centre - Booths E1 and E2
SPECIAL GUEST MEET-UP:
Chelsea Smith from Aviation 101 will be flying a Sling TSi from Kentucky to Oshkosh, and will be joining Josh Flowers for a special live talk and meet-up on Wednesday, July 23, at Sling Island. You won't want to miss this one!
WHAT'S ON:
We've got a packed week of events, demos, talks and meet-ups.
IT'S SLING DING TIME:
The tradition continues - and you're invited. Join us for the 7th Annual Sling Ding - a legendary evening of aviation camaraderie, ice-cold drinks, big laughs, and bigger stories. Whether it's your first Sling Ding or your seventh, this will be one to remember.
CAN'T MAKE IT?
We've got you covered with daily videos from the show.
Subscribe to our Oshkosh Newsletter as well as our YouTube Channel to stay in the loop on the regular!
Let's make Oshkosh 2025 one for the books. Sling Island awaits!
The Orion Cub team will be at Oshkosh!
Orion Aircraft is proud to announce our new agreement with our United States distributor, Orion Cub USA. If you have ever been interested in owning your own backcountry aircraft, this is your opportunity to be one of the first to build the Orion Cub in the United States.
Kevin Hopper, designer of the Orion Cub and Doug Goodrich, U.S. Distributor for the aircraft, will be available at Oshkosh 2025 to answer questions about the Orion Cub and the Builder Assistance Program in the United States.
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 22nd @ 11 a.m.
Thursday, July 24th @ 11 a.m.
WHERE:
You can find the Orion Cub team wearing red shirts between the EAA Lifetime Member Oasis Pavilion (booth EAA 5) and Sling Island (booths 648-650).
VoltAero made a “high-powered” U.S. debut at EAA AirVenture
VoltAero made a “high-powered” U.S. debut at EAA AirVenture by exhibiting its new HPU 210 hybrid power unit for the first time on American soil, and opening reservations for production slots of this innovative propulsion system tailored for homebuilt, kit-built and light aircraft.
The HPU 210 is a game-changer for general aviation: combining a high-performance 150-kW Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX-derived piston engine with a 60-kW electric motor, this hybrid power unit delivers an unprecedented 40 percent boost in take-off and climb power - all controlled through a single throttle. The system introduces VoltAero's patented, flight-proven hybrid-electric technology to a new category of aircraft, delivering enhanced safety, efficiency and performance.
DC-3 Society to Celebrate 90 Years of the Douglas DC-3 at AirVenture 2025
The DC-3 Society will mark the 90th anniversary of the legendary Douglas DC-3 with a week of commemorative events at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. The celebration will spotlight the aircraft's historic contributions to both military and civil aviation, especially its critical role during World War II.
Throughout the week, attendees can expect:
Formation flights and flyovers featuring DC-3s and its military variant, the C-47 and society member gatherings to honour the aircraft and the vibrant community keeping its legacy alive.
DC3 OSH Aircraft participating include those that returned to Europe as part of the DC-3 Society's major commemorative missions on the D-Day 75th and 80th anniversaries, and the Berlin Airlift 70th and 75th anniversaries:
C-47 Placid Lassie
C-47 owned by Vaerus Jet Sales
C-47 Virginia Ann
Also joining is the A-26 Million Airess, a twin-engine light bomber with a decorated combat record from World War II through the Cold War. This aircraft also flew in the DC-3 Society's.
EAA SportAir Workshops Turns 25
For a quarter of a century, EAA SportAir Workshops have been providing aircraft homebuilders the technical instruction and hands-on experience needed to build safe and functional aircraft. These workshops have helped many enthusiasts take their homebuilt projects from the hangar to the sky, while also creating a community of skilled builders.
The journey began in 1993 when EAA member Ron Alexander, who ran a supply house for aircraft materials, realized builders needed hands-on training to properly use the supplies they were purchasing. Thus, the SportAir Workshops were born. Ron traveled extensively, giving seminars and demonstrating skills to eager audiences. In 2000, EAA bought the SportAir Workshops from Ron Alexander, building on his work to make it into the program that continues to thrive today.
Dick Koehler, EAA 161427, a long-term workshop instructor for the Electrical Systems & Avionics workshop, believes the core of EAA is homebuilding. He emphasized the importance of nurturing this activity through the SportAir Workshop program. “When it really comes down to the heart and soul of EAA, it is people building their own planes! We need to nurture and promote that activity above all else,” he said. “One of the best ways we do that is by offering the SportAir Workshops program.”
The workshops aim to introduce core skills and demystify the processes, helping attendees build safe and operable aircraft.
However, young people have fewer opportunities to learn practical skills with hands-on tools. “Today's youth have very few shop skills by comparison,” Dick said. “If we don't have training programs for the next generation of potential homebuilders, the EAA will become a club of old guys and will die as us old guys disappear.”
Roger Stuckey, EAA Lifetime 122373, was recently introduced to these workshops in the beginning of the year when he attended his first class with his son in an attempt to get him interested in building aircraft. They enjoyed the class so much that they've already attended another, with two more on their calendars.
Roger believes these workshops are crucial for safety and skill development. “Our instructor first explained the welding technique, demonstrated the technique, and monitored our progress on mastering the technique until individually we were ready to proceed to the next level,” Roger said. “Perfection was not the goal: Completing and understanding what a safe weld looks like is what we achieved.”
Dick said Charlie Becker, EAA director of chapters and homebuilding, and EAA Program Manager Mark Forss have done a great job of finding experienced experts in each field who are also great instructors. “I, personally, like working with each and every one,” he said. “We all work together to make a good experience for the attendees. … We are a team, not a bunch of individuals. This is a testament to the leadership of the program by Mark Forss and Charlie Becker.”
As EAA SportAir Workshops celebrates 25 years, it continues to be a vital part of EAA's mission, keeping the spirit of aviation homebuilding alive. With dedicated instructors, thorough training, and a supportive community, these workshops help ensure that the tradition of aircraft homebuilding continues to thrive for future generations.
Would You Like to Know More?
SportAir Workshops offers various classes year-round across the United States, typically held over two days on weekends. Each workshop provides participants with workbooks, personal protective equipment, and all necessary tools and materials. The classes cover essential topics such as Composite Construction, Sheet Metal Basics, Fabric Covering, Electrical Systems & Avionics, TIG Welding, Fiberglass Techniques for RV Aircraft, and Gas Welding.
Registration is limited to 16 students per class, ensuring personalized attention and instruction. EAA's experienced instructors create a safe and supportive environment where homebuilders can learn to use tools, materials, and chemicals proficiently. Through targeted skills-building projects, participants develop the necessary skills to complete their aircraft builds. Learn more at EAA.org/SportAir.
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