Coronavirus

EAA cancels convention that draws hundreds of thousands

Published

4 years ago

May 2, 2020

Stunt pilot Sean D. Tucker, in the rear seat of the plane at right, flies his red Team Oracle Extra 300L with Grant Matthews, 16, who is a student at Raisbeck Aviation High School and a member of the EAA Young Eagles program, in the front seat as they fly in formation with U.S. Navy Blue Angels' Lt. Tyler Davies, left, and Cmdr. Frank Weisser, center, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, near Seattle in preparation for their weekend performances in the Seafair Air Show Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6, 2017. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — An event that draws hundreds of thousands of people from all around the globe is the latest event to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in and convention say the uncertainty of COVID-19 has forced them to cancel the July 20-26 event.

Approximately 642,000 people attended the convention last year when more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

“We looked at every possibility over the past six weeks as to how EAA could move forward with AirVenture this year, because it is such an important reunion for the aviation community,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “The current status in Wisconsin is that it is still under a stay at home order until May 26, which completely eliminates our ability to start grounds preparation May 1.”

Pelton added that the reopening of the state also has no specific dates, creating uncertainty about mass gatherings in July, so cancellation was the only option for this year.

All pre-sold AirVenture 2020 admissions and camping reservations can be rolled over to the 2021 event or are eligible for refund.