If Held, EAA AirVenture 2021 Will Be Different

AirVenture 2021 will have a much different look and feel than the previous international fly-in gatherings in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has announced a series of new health and safety measures that will be implemented in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

EAA will add sanitizing facilities, reduce seating capacity at outdoor venues, schedule additional sessions for high-demand forums and presentations, and cancel a number of large events and receptions.  Indoors, fly-in officials plan to have fewer exhibitors in each exhibit building, create more walkways and separation between exhibitors, and increase ventilation where possible.  Some venues will be adapted to accommodate indoor exhibitors who were required to move due to changes to the usual exhibit halls.

CEO Jack Pelton said, “We will be hosting AirVenture 2021, but there will be areas that will look different and areas where we’ll incorporate technology to limit touchpoints as we work with local and state health officials to establish and maintain the best possible standards for public events.  Some areas may look different at Oshkosh this year, but the feeling will be the same as we gather to celebrate the world of flight.”

As of this writing, EAA says it will not require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to attend the event, which is scheduled to take place July 26 to Aug. 1 in Oshkosh.  While strongly encouraged, masks will not be mandatory for attendees.  EAA officials said that plans may change as the pandemic continues.  If conditions warrant, the critical go/no-go decision for AirVenture would likely be made around the beginning of May.