Navigating EAA AirVenture OSHKOSH 2023:A First-Timers Guide

The massive grounds at EAA AirVenture can be overwhelming. This brief guide helps you to stay oriented and not miss anything during your visit..

[@dqst2012]

Camping again for the 3rd time... 1st time my hubby myself (6 months pregnant) and 3 kids 3 and under camped with our tent and sleeping bags stayed monday and left tuesday evening 2017.. fast forward 2nd time 2023 took our now family of 9 plus 5 extended family, camped in 2 tents for 2 nights-- we decided after the ealry morning monsoon wednesday to see what we could and drive home that night after church😊... this year will be my hubby and myself camping 3 nights and hoping to go to more than We have in the last 2 visits 😊😊 also the Museum is worth visiting anytime of year. We have been in february and enjoyed the fact that there weren't crowds and crowds of people :) thank you for the video!

[@rbarlow]

@@dqst2012 enjoy! I usually arrive on Sat to have Sunday to get all set up and explore the grounds. If you by a week pass you can get in on Sunday but no vendors are there. Then I stay until Friday or Saturday when it starts to get really crowded. Safe travels!

[@AviatorGM]

Thanks for this. I'm going for the first time. I'll be camping and bringing my bike. Glad you mentioned locking up the bike.

[@JMOUC265]

That was a great introduction to the grounds, Russ. I feel like I understand it. I also liked your take on how simply one could attend if he/she decided to go. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Phantom840]

Thanks for posting this Russ! If you don't mind me adding, food's about $13 US per person, at least it was last year and yes the Red One's are really basic stores, so if you need extra camping supplies or food, best to get a shuttle at the bus stop to Target or similar. If you're camping in Scholler, mark off/stake your ground, they'll give about a 20x50 ft space and it gets crowded the Sunday before event start, so best to be early as possible. Lastly, be prepared for rain or storms at anytime during the week, tends to happen every year. Otherwise it's fun, good info!

[@rbarlow]

Yes all good points. I could do servers videos on all aspects of AirVenture but it is off topic and as you can see not much interest in views. You are right it seems to often rain on the night airshows😀

[@ndav8r]

Great video! I have camping there every year since 1996. When I bring someone, I show them the major high points the first day, then I cut them loose the remainder of the stay (everyone has different tastes of interest).

[@hermanmuenster1405]

Excellent tour of the layout ! Looking forward to '24, getting a ice cream cookie and piece of pizza from the Red Barn and going to the dances at night in the campground, going to the Fly Market, the R/C strip, all of it !! There's so much !

[@mtadc1545]

Subscribed! Liked! This is my first air show I am attending and I’m a 31 year old pilot based out of Australia. Thank you so much for this video, it’s definitely helped me plan it all out for what’s up in a few weeks!

[@rbarlow]

@@mtadc1545 safe travels! You will definitely enjoy it once you get used to the fact that everything is upside down.

[@AV8R_1]

Been a pilot for 17 years, EAA member, commercial, instrument, airplanes, helicopters, and 17 year aircraft owner of 3 different aircraft, and I STILL Haven't had a chance to go to Oshkosh... every year I watch the radar tracks of the arrivals, and every year I say... "Someday." I envy those that have been every year for decades... for now, I just keep watching the arrivals on KZbin (AirshowStuffVideos) and all the highlight videos that come out.... "someday" 😏

[@robertlafnear7034]

Don't feel bad😔I flew for my PPL in '79 and 2018 was MY first time.... it is a full body experience... it will wear you out if you try and cram everything into a rushed day , stay on the grounds ,camp out if you can and pace your day............... it is The Experience of a lifetime for a pilot.

[@AV8R_1]

@@robertlafnear7034 I absolutely want to camp! For now, I just live vicariously through other people's KZbin videos camping at Oshkosh!

[@robertlafnear7034]

At least put it on your "TO DO" list... it is so much fun... have a great day.

[@rbarlow]

Just do it. You won’t regret it. If you are within 12 hours just load up and go… looks like a hot one this year though.

[@glendavis1266]

I’m like you, rusty and pilot since 1969 but not the experience or hours you have….. about 6 hour drive away, 4 hours + by most interstate but I did not see on this video if you arrive by car where you park? Then what? I do not own a aircraft, live in Des Moines Iowa area. I watch the radar tracks on flight aware also!

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

COOL! Watching from the Philippines. I have a friend who is a volunteer there and he has built 2 small planes....and lived to tell about it. Enjoy! Hope to get to this awesome show sometime.

[@joseduboc7314]

Thank you very much for this video. It's a great help for me since this will be my first time in Oshkosh AIr Venture

[@AStoryWorthSharing]

This video was sensational. Thank you so much! I've never been, but now after watching this video, I feel much, much closer to getting there! Totally Excellent! Thank you so much!!

[@rbarlow]

@@AStoryWorthSharing are you coming this year?

[@ibgarrett]

Really nice overview... I added this to my "to share" video list when trying to explain to folks Oshkosh...

[@rbarlow]

Thanks. I didn't have time to update this year. I will probably update if there are any changes for 2025.

[@VAltoFH]

I'm planning to visit in this Saturday, its my first time... Thanks for the information!!

[@richardwarnertx]

Thank you. I've been to Oshkosh with a brother or a grandson seven times. We travel to Oshkosh on Monday, see the show Tue/Wed/Thu and travel home on Friday. We ALWAYS stay in a UofW dorm room, eat wonderful breakfasts at the UofW common, and ride the bus to and from the airport. Perfect! All three days, we arrive at the gates by 8 AM, ride the trams and busses many times, see lots of stuff, exit the front gate at 5, eat supper near the front gate, walk to the Fly In Theater, after the movie walk (in the dark) to the bus stop, take the bus back to the dorm room, fall asleep in 1 minute. Same thing every day. Perfect! Never gets old.

[@glendavis1266]

I think you mean Madison for the dorms, how to get them, make arrangements, I’d be driving from Des Moines.

[@rdennis1983]

Great job!

[@rodcoulter997]

Really good video….thanks for the “heads-up”…..

[@w9awx1]

Going for the first time as a visitor on Wednesday with my wife. Getting prepared for a hot day. I worked there last year Friday with a radio vendor. Hoping to get there early and leave late.

[@davedeweese5810]

This was informative. 2023 will be my first AirVenture, so even though I'll be camping with friends who've been there before, it pays to do some homework beforehand.

[@rbarlow]

Yes and you will wander off alone some so it is good to have the basic layout in mind. Take rubber shower shoes and in the showers this is a great thing to have as in a few showers there are limited hanging hooks or only the shower rod store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/hanging-toiletry-bag You will love AirVenture

[@davedeweese5810]

You're right about hanging shower bags: I've got one for the gym and it's coming with me to Wisconsin.

[@johnpesale3896]

Thanks hope to see ya there

[@Anonymous99997]

This was a great intro. I made a last minute decision to attend Monday-Wednesday and found one of the last remaining hotel rooms (Motel 6 😟). My plan is to drive in early and stay all day each day. I was wondering about having a camp chair or stool for the air shows.

[@rbarlow]

Yes either a camp chair or one of those folding stadium seats to have a back. The downside is you have to carry it all day but it makes the airshow much more enjoyable. Have fun!

[@os8114]

Hey Russ! Thanks for all of the great info and advice. One question for a first timer, where is the best place to set up to watch the air show? I’m not a pilot so I’ll be driving in every day. Looking forward to my first time at Oshkosh!!!!

[@rbarlow]

Anywhere along the show line is great since the announcer can be heard all along it. Obviously closer to the center is the best position BUT is more crowded and I like to go down toward the vintage aircraft and try to find shade under the wing of a high wing airplane and enjoy the show. You can camp at the event campground but you have to join EAA to camp. You can do that at the gate to the camping area do no pre planning required. Enjoy the Show!

[@netoboulhosa75]

Russ, I'm from Brazil, from the north of the Amazon, and I'm taking my son this year, 2024, he dreams of being a pilot. We will drive from Alabama and visit for two days. I really wanted to know the chances of seeing the F22 at the air show. We go on Thursday and Friday. Hugs and thanks.

[@rbarlow]

How exciting for you and your son. Try to get there right when the gates open (7:30 I recall) and before it gets too hot and walk the Flight line to see the parked airplanes up close. I won’t be crowded yet and you can get breakfast if you like. I suggest taking a backpack with bottles of water and some sandwiches for lunch …. Food is pretty expensive and lines can get long at midday. Add another day if you can as two days may not be enough. If you love airplanes there is so much to see!

[@CaptGreg-wl1wb]

Russ, I’m making a last minute plans to attend Oshkosh this year. I’ll be driving my conversion van from So. California on the 23rd. Am I too late? Will camping still be available? This will be my first trip to Oshkosh. Thanks for posting a great video.

[@rbarlow]

Greg…I have never seen the camping fill up… it is in acres and acres of flat grass areas and as they need more space they just deploy more port-o-lets in the new areas. Only the airplane camping areas get filled up pretty early. If you arrive on 23rd early you can go to the gate and purchase a week pass and you can have access to the grounds Sunday to survey the area before it officially opens on Monday at 7:00am . The exhibitors show up at 10am until 5pm. It is a long drive but I think you will love it. Lots of nice people that love airplanes and extremely well run event! Enjoy

[@josephsener420]

General aviation camping has not been saturated for several years. Not since all the additional spaces. The South 40 was opened.

[@rbarlow]

Thanks for the correction. I see they have expanded GAP & GAC further for this year too. Enjoy the show!

[@ehvdb8815]

Driving from Vancouver, CA with RV and looking for electrical site. Do these fill up fast? I understand you cant book until June 30th. I usually like to organize in advance so it is difficult leaving that until 3 weeks prior to event, especially making a huge effort to get there. Any thoughts on how best to book a decent spot location wise with electrical and water. Thank you for your effort in this informative video, looking forward

[@adrienneedwards9029]

Great info! Thank you. We are a family of 5, visiting only on Wednesday. Do you suggest we bring chairs? I wouldn't want to drag them around all day. Is transportation easy enough to get around and return to our vehicle if needed?

[@rbarlow]

It is not that easy to get to your car as it could involve a shuttle ride both ways. I'd just bring couple ponchos or a blanket to sit on the ground . Something you can easily carry in a small backpack which I suggest you bring to carry one or two of in your group to carry water, sunscreen and snacks. The airshow lasts from 3 - 6pm so it you get there a few minutes early you can sit right on the line with no one in front of you. The flight line is probably 4000' long so unless you want to be at show center you will probably not be in a crowded area. If it is hot and you stake a claim early you might be able to sit under the wing of at airplane for some shade. Remember the airshow is in the sky so exact location you watch is not critical. Enjoy

[@Anonymous99997]

Isn’t Wednesday an evening show?

[@ronaldfranck6960]

@@Anonymous99997 They had two airshows that day. One at 2:30pm and another starting at 8:00pm, concluding with fireworks.

[@pnh2atl]

This is my first time going and I’m going with my 80 year old dad, so thanks for this! I’ve got a 1963 Baron. How do I get into the vintage area?

[@rbarlow]

Look at the notam in detail it explains the sign you need to make with VAP for vintage aircraft parking right on page 1 ( www.eaa.org/-/media/files/airventure/flyingin/notam/2023/2023_eaa_airventure_oshkosh_notam_final.ashx )

[@CDXXIX]

Thanks for the video. I saw you stole the F22 Raptor this year! Is it better than Milwaukee air show? I was thinking about coming because you have the F22s. MKE got stuck with the F16.

[@rbarlow]

It is overall the best aviation show in the world imho . Each day is different. Lots of warbird aircraft you can’t see together anywhere else. People travel from all over the world to see it and it is in your back yard. Definitely experience it this year!

[@edwardbarden4722]

Question, do things pack up early when it gets toward the second weekend? I can't go the first weekend but for say next Sat is there still a lot to see?

[@rbarlow]

Only one weekend. Official start is Monday and finishes on following Sunday the last full week of July. If you buy a weeklong pass you can walk the grounds on Sunday before things officially open and get the lay of the land. This year the dates are Mon, Jul 24, 2023 - Sun, Jul 30, 2023

[@skippyfpvexperimentalrc6755]

Hey, are bikes allowed? I checked and it said prohibited along with cameras which I think is crazy.

[@rbarlow]

Bikes allowed in campground but not inside gates. Bike corrals at most gates( not sure about main gate) to lock up your bike.

[@bluesteelbass]

I just read that rule of no cameras other than cell phones?!? I am not comprehending that at all. I would understand a no tripod rule.

[@rbarlow]

@@bluesteelbass I didn't realize that but I guess they want to keep professional recording under their control. Fortunately most iPhones take awesome video and with It does seem like a silly rule.

[@jacobo9611]

Any planes arrive yet?

[@rodcoulter997]

EAA map “Situational Awareness”? ….why is the map “East up” and not “North up” like every other Aviation map. Very “disorienting” when trying to understand the show grounds..Flying 40+ years does that.