Minnesota Pilots Share AirVenture Stories

The hands-down highlight of the summer aviation season is the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Whether you call it Oshkosh, EAA, or AirVenture, the gathering remains one of the biggest aviation events in the world.

Aircraft range from single-seat home built aircraft to giant C-17 cargo planes.

Located just over 200 miles from the Twin Cities, Wittman Regional Airport is a short flight from local airspace. The Fisk arrival can be tricky with many planes from all over the U.S. queuing up to land at the "World's Busiest Airport."

This year, there were several important FAA-approved changes in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which featured arrival and departure procedures.

These changes were based on pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations.

There were new ATC-assignable transition points approaching Oshkosh from the west to ease holding and congestion.

Four Minnesota pilots shared early EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 stories after arriving, getting parked and unpacked. Here's what they had to say.

Kent Bosch flew his Cessna 150 taildragger from western Minnesota. He's attended AirVenture more than 25 times and is a under-wing camping veteran.

His aircraft has a David Lowe taildragger conversion, which uses the gear from a Cessna 140 to convert the 150 from its conventional tricycle gear to a taildragger.

Bosch had just finished cooking up pancakes and bacon for his group when I chatted with him.

A proud Minnesotan, Bosch has one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the state of Minnesota as an engine monitor: A Goldy Gopher Bobblehead.

Ryan Nelson brought his gorgeous Cessna 180H to Oshkosh from Hibbing via Buffalo, Minnesota, where he picked up fellow pilot Jamie Qunell.

The duo's AirVenture journey was uneventful; Nelson and Qunell arrived Sunday, July 25, during hot and humid weather.

Nelson parked in a prime location on the end of Row 77 and also set up underwing camping.

This year was Nelson's 12th AirVenture, but the first year with the recently restored Cessna 180H, which featured great paint, new windows, leather interior, Alaskan Bushwheels, and a glass cockpit. The aircraft was a real head turner.

Nelson said the best part of AirVenture is getting to spend time with his son, Issac, and watching all the airplanes.

Qunell said it's a good idea to have an extra set of eyes in the congested airspace around Oshkosh. He's flown several different aircraft to AirVenture, including a Cessna 175 and Cessna 310.

Kreg Anderson flew a 1946 Aeronca Champion Model 7 BCM into AirVenture. He's from Alexandria, Minnesota, and co-owns the aircraft with Joshua Schafer.

One of the unique features of the Aeronca is that it has no electrical system.

To ensure a safe arrival, Anderson used a hand-held radio and portable battery powered headsets.

Anderson secured a prime parking spot in Row 60 of Vintage shortly after landing.

The EAA AirVenture Souvenir Program describes a visit to this neighborhood as a trip back in time, one that celebrates the personal side of aviation.

Anderson had a pleasant surprise when he walked into the EAA Membership Tent. A lifetime member, his testimonial was featured on a large upright display.

Anderson's attended 12 previous AirVentures. He said the best part of the event is getting to relax with college friends that he only gets to see once a year.