There’s been much talk online in recent weeks of pilots who love Oshkosh, count us as members of that group, putting on their own fly-in event, what with EAA AirVenture having been called off due to the pandemic. Some have proposed camping at OSH, doing flying demonstrations and more. But, this week, word came down from the folks who run the airport, the Wittman Regional Airport Authority, and it put the firm kibosh on a flash mob OSH.
In a letter to no one in particular, the airport authority acknowledged that the event is hugely popular and what that means to pilots, writing, “We’re all disappointed with the cancellation of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020, as it means so many different things for everyone who attends. For thousands of aviators, flying to Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) is a highlight in the logbook.”
The message went to describe what would be happening at KOSH during the dates the show had been planned to go on, “As AirVenture 2020 is not taking place, Wittman Regional Airport will operate normally as a public use airport with contract tower services. For those considering flying to Oshkosh in late July, it’s important to manage expectations!”
Among those things that won’t be permitted, it wrote, are transient aircraft parking anywhere but on the hard top at existing FBOs, no use of any EAA facilities, access to what functions as Boeing Plaza during the event, camping areas of any kind and even access to the EAA Museum. It will be closed through the end of July.
Just how many of the folks making noise about their own private Oshkosh were serious and how many were only wishing out loud, we don’t know. But regardless, it’s important to know that as is the case at all other times, during what would have the week of AirVenture starting on July 20th, KOSH will be just another regular airport.
