POG Hits Oshkosh; Massive Turnout!
At perhaps the world's largest general
aviation show, the 2006 Air Venture, at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the first mini-POG
rally was held. Aviation enthusiasts, owners and gawkers alike gathered at
Wittman Regional Airport to see virtually any type of machine which lifts off
the ground, into the other dimension of, 'up there.' It was also the 54th
annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which is a
showcase of the best of aviation's innovations and its heritage.
This year's celebration, bringing together
more than 10,000 aircraft, with 700,000 attendees was also the site of Camp
Prevost, held on a bluff overlooking the massive aviation event, with Prevost
owners and enthusiasts alike joining in the festivities.
The EAA Air Venture 2006 offered 500 forums,
workshops and seminars, with a concert by the Beach Boys, following the
opening day air show.
Notable attractions and features included:
- The "Big Bomber" reunion with a rare
Lancaster bomber, a vintage B-24, plus several B-17 and B-25 aircraft.
- More than 500 Warbirds from WWII and
classic fighter jets in spectacular shows.
- The American Barnstormers tour, bringing
a high-flying parade of aircraft from the Barnstorming era of the 1920s and
1930s.
- Military aircraftsuch as the B-1B bomber,
C-17 transport, and A-10, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters.
- A variety of special programs, from the
Hallmarks of Homebuilding and the 50th anniversary of the Cessna 172, to the
new innovations of the Very Light Jet generation.
- An expanded Light-Sport aircraft mall,
which make flying more affordable, accessible and fun.
- The aviation world premiere of trailers
from the new motion picture, "Flyboys," in theaters in September.
- The introduction of, "One-Six Right," a
documentary motion picture just released, and available in DVD at the show.
- Daily afternoon air shows with the
world's finest civilian acrobatic pilots, more than 800 aviation exhibitors,
forums, workshops and seminars.
- More than 2500 show planes, including
homebuilt aircraft, vintage models, ultralights, seaplanes, rotary lift
aircraft and more.
