By Titus Drye
Arriving at the Hickory Regional Airport early one Saturday morning, three cars get packed with camping equipment and excited, if slightly drowsy Aviation Explorers from EAA chapter 731. We settle in for the long first leg of the trip with pillows, snacks and eager expectation. This is the beginning of an experience we have been looking forward to all year.
EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh Wisconsin, the largest airshow and aviation convention, is an annual event that attracts pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the world, including myself, my brother and sister who can’t wait to catch up with old friends, make new ones and explore the world of flight from a unique perspective. Waking up in a tent to the sound of jet engines, we look forward to assisting other excited travelers. This includes helping many incredible attendees and pilots safely navigate the grounds and getting front row seats to watch some of the most impressive airshows in the world. AirVenture is definitely an experience like no other that even a week of campground showers can’t discourage.
We have been attending for the past three years, and it never disappoints. There is always something new to see or experience, such as new technologies, hardware, aircraft designs and individual construction projects. However, it doesn’t have to be brand new and shiny to be interesting.
The Aviation Exploration Base (AEB) is located near the Warbirds area. This is arguably ours, and many others, favorite place. All the historic aircraft seem larger than life and walking amongst them is like taking a step back in time. It’s more than just looking; it’s more about learning. The event itself is amazing, but a large part of why we keep coming back is the people we meet.
Our first year, everyone in the AEB was extremely helpful in “showing us the ropes”, as it were. Now, we are able to help newcomers in the same way. We have become well acquainted with many in and outside of the base camp. We look forward to seeing everyone each year, which adds to the already growing excitement and anticipation.
As in the past, 2025 was a great year for us at the AEB and for AirVenture. We hope to see you there in 2026!
