AirVenture

Joining a Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Fly-In to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Andrew Stevens

Since the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) nearly 3 years ago, I’ve done pretty much everything possible in the game which includes landing an F-18 on a mountain top because why not! However, throughout my years of flying, it’s pretty much always been without a wingman. I really do need to make more friends!

One of the greatest features with Microsoft Flight Simulator is that you can play in a multiplayer environment to fly with friends and encounter other players that are flying in the same area as you. So, when I noticed that there was an official Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Fly-In to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, I had to join the group and fly with them!

Normally, I am somewhere on the EAA grounds at AirVenture at this point. However, because I was unable to attend this year, it gave me the opportunity to join the community event and experience exactly what I’ve been missing out on for the past 3 years! Online multiplayer!

The Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Fly-In Friday event to Oshkosh called for players/pilots to fly something vintage or unique in the spirit of EAA AirVenture. I decided I would fly a Boeing 307 Stratoliner that I just recently acquired on the game’s marketplace. Note that I said just recently acquired, meaning I don’t have any hours flying this aircraft…

The timing for the community flight was actually perfect as it allowed me to join during my lunch break. Still, I happened to miss the mass departure from Meigs Field. I wasn’t too worried though about being left behind as the recommended flight speed was meant to remain at around 120kts. With that being the target speed, it was no problem pushing the Stratoliner to catch up with the group!

Well“…I maybe kinda sorta pushed the aircraft a little too hard and picked up too much speed because I somehow got the “overstressed aircraft” message from the game. In other words, as I was catching up and going “too fast”, I damaged the aircraft and had to start over. Alright, there’s no catching up at this point unless I go with something fast…hello, Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet!

Highlights from Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Fly-In

As you can imagine, with me now flying the F-18 and the rest of the group going only 120kts, I was able to catch them in no time at all. And let me tell you, once I started to see all these different aircraft flying together in a pack and then join them in flight, it made the entire experience and event that much more exciting to be part of. I immediately had a greater appreciation for what multiplayer can bring to the user experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was just too cool to see all these planes flying together (as you can see from the video above) and knowing that we were all heading to Oshkosh as part of a community event. I have finally fully experienced one of the best features of Microsoft Flight Simulator with multiplayer and I love it!

What also made this fly-in enjoyable is that the announcement for the event mentioned a mod that turns Oshkosh into AirVenture with aircraft sitting all over the grounds. Unfortunately, I installed it to the wrong folder, so it was just a normal Wittman Airport for me upon arrival. However, I did fix it later and had some fun in a DC-3! Check out the video below to see a little bit of AirVenture in Microsoft Flight Simulator!

AirVenture Mod in Microsoft Flight Simulator

I will definitely be joining more community events in the future as the experience is just too much fun. Witnessing all the aircraft come together in one location and then to fly in a pack to another airport to complete the journey is awesome. The only thing that’s missing at the end of these virtual fly-ins is the breakfast that usually accompanies the real ones! I need to do that again too one of these days!

Oh yeah, and here’s proof that I landed the F-18 on the side of the mountain. Don’t worry about the end of the video though…

https://twitter.com/SegaRacer/status/1615015150129381380

Streaming EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023

Andrew Stevens

This year happens to be the first time I’ve missed an AirVenture in over 10 years. What was set up to be my 15th year attending the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration turned into it being a year away from it instead. While it’s been disappointing not having the opportunity to walk the grounds and take in the sights and sounds in person, I’ve actually been enjoying the live streams from around the event that EAA offers on their website.

Check out the live streaming options here: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/live

Screenshot Taken from the Live Stream of Wednesday’s Airshow

In a year that I’m unable to attend AirVenture, it’s nice to have the option to watch it through live streaming. EAA has streamed the event for a while now as I’ve intentionally went up to camera locations to wave at family members who were watching. I also had a year where I missed the first couple of days and watched the stream then. But it’s impressive just how great the streaming options are for those who can’t be there in person.

If you don’t know, EAA has cameras set up 24/7 at multiple locations that include Boeing Plaza, Vintage, Warbirds, Ultralights, and The Green Dot. Throughout the day they also have a stream called “Around the Grounds” that focuses on activity around AirVenture including closeups of aircraft that are taking off. Furthermore, they also fully cover the day and night airshows with multiple cameras and, most importantly, it’s all in good quality! For it being a year that I can’t attend, I’m so happy that I at least have the option to tune in and see the grounds and airshows. I’ve even set up the streams on multiple monitors for an even better experience! Oh, and they include sound too, so you can hear the planes as they fly by while also listening to ATC at the same time!

EAA uses YouTube to stream the cameras from around the grounds (links are found on their website). However, the airshow itself (both day and night) are streamed through a different service. So, if you want to watch the airshow on your smart TV or by using a device such as Roku or Apple TV, you can share the video from your phone to your smart TV.

How-to stream the airshow to your TV:

Streaming the Wednesday Night Airshow on TV

If you’re like me, you’ll be watching multiple cameras while listening in over the final three days of the event. Heads-up though, there are going to be moments where you hear something and, even with the multiple cameras, you just won’t be able to see it. Thankfully it’s only happened a few times! However, EAA, I would love it if you would add a camera that observes the runways at all times! Flightline cam!

Xbox Showcase Reveals New Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Andrew Stevens

By Andrew Stevens

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 coming in“…2024!

Announcement Trailer

For over 40 years now many of us have had the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flight through Microsoft Flight Simulator and that includes nearly three magical years since the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020). Magical in the sense that it features incredible detail and visuals for both aircraft and scenery, always changing weather based on real world conditions, and ability to fly with friends and have meetups at different airports.

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) also featured a number of challenges to complete from different situational landing experiences to introducing a Top Gun Maverick expansion that features low altitude flying challenges. Seriously, put on the Maverick soundtrack and start attempting to get your highest score in those challenges – it’s so much fun!

I nearly reached top 50 in the world with this run on the Top Gun Maverick expansion!


For Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), a lot of how it was presented was focused on a beautiful wide open world to explore in amazing detail (though you need a PC capable of handling the highest settings for the full effect). However, with the next installation of the series, the focus appears to be shifting!

Today during the Xbox Showcase, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was revealed with an impressive and a more objective-based announcement trailer. I’m already sold! Coming to Xbox and PC in 2024, including Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on Day 1, pilots will get the opportunity to live out their aviation dreams through a number of scenarios such as using aircraft for fighting fires, search and rescue, medical and cargo transport, and crop dusting, along with more flight activities such as sky diving, hot air balloon rides, air races and so much more! Of course, once again there will be a beautiful wide open world to explore in amazing detail, but it appears we are getting a lot more activities to participate in this time around! Time to upgrade my GPU and buy a new SSD to dedicate to flight sims!

Announcement Trailer (as seen above)

By the way, did you notice scientific research? Heck yeah! Never stop chasing, as Reed Timmer would say. It all looks incredible and I cannot wait for it to take off in 2024!

Keep an eye out for more articles from me throughout the year that discuss my inspiration in aviation through the form of games and media. I’m someone who lives in the world of video games and simulators and even works in the video game industry for my day job. I’m also preparing to celebrate my 15th year in attendance at Oshkosh AirVenture in July which will lead to additional editorials based on my experience there. Until then, I’m back off into the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator and video games!

Oh, right. Anyone a Dune fan? It was also revealed that Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) will receive a Dune expansion on November 3rd, 2023 when both it launches and Part 2 of the movie releases in theaters. The expansion provides the opportunity to fly the House Atreides Ornithopter across the desert planet of Arrakis. Trailer is below:

Dune Expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

Deep Roots at the EAA Seaplane Base

Andrew Stevens

By Kate Stevens

For me a trip to EAA AirVenture isn’t complete without a visit to the serene EAA Seaplane Base. The sight of seaplanes gently gliding just above the Lake Winnebago waters, landing on the bay and then proceeding through the cut and settling in the inner bay is a picturesque sight to see. These colorful planes parked in the bay, set against the backdrop of cattails and the “old barn” has inspired many photographers (including my husband) to capture beautiful pictures of this unique seaplane respite. Upon visiting this past summer of 2021, my husband and I were fortunate to meet a talented artist who uses a different artistic medium to encapsulate her vision of this tin bird oasis, that being watercolor. What I found even more interesting than Emily Willey’s beautiful art work was the story behind that work. After chatting for a moment I realized that the seaplane base was more than a mere subject of interest, but a second home where she has spent a significant part of her life and, as a result, has deep roots in this special place.

Emily Willey at the EAA Seaplane Base

How did you come to spend so much time at the seaplane base and what are some of your earliest memories?
“Well, my father was an avid aviation guy who had me up in planes since the time I was in diapers. He was a pilot and airplane mechanic who had been taking me to the seaplane base since I was a kid. I started volunteering at the base when I was 10 years old. My first job was volunteering as a greeter and dock worker. So, I would haul bags from the planes out to the campsites for pilots, which was fun and made me feel special. I also liked getting tips to pay for t-shirts at the end of week! I then graduated to being a tow boat driver which meant towing the planes to and from the docks. I actually may have been the first female driver to tug planes in on my own! It was fun to meet other kids at the base who have become lifelong friends, a lot of whom still volunteer there.”

FUN FACT: Emily has earned a “20 yrs of service at the EAA Seaplane base” award!

What’s the most memorable experience at the base?
“I would have to say that it was getting married there. We stood in front of the overlook with the greater bay view of Lake Winnebago in the background. We both love airplanes so it was a fitting place for us to say our I dos and to create another special memory there.”

When were you first inspired to express your view of the base through your artwork?
“My Dad encouraged me. I started drawing when I was 14. First a big dolphin mural on my bedroom wall at home, then turtles, ninja turtles, ocean scenes, etc. I’ve never been afraid to try new things and to try new processes, plus I love water and its calming effect. So, I guess it made sense that I was inspired to paint the serene water scenes around the seaplane base.”

Emily’s booth at the EAA Seaplane Base

FUN FACT: Emily’s dad used to fly the family to her aunt’s house for Thanksgiving dinner!

What was your first piece?
“Well, technically before my booth I had some pieces hanging in the pilot check in/check out office at the base that the ladies there were nice enough to display for me. But my dad always encouraged me to have my own booth at the base and I got that chance about one month before Oshkosh 2015. The first piece I created for my booth was a watercolor (my go-to medium) from a photo taken of the Albatross aircraft that visited the base back in 2007. They are massive planes and it sat at the dock for a month or two waiting for repairs. I just remembered how uplifting it felt to see it leave. It was like this huge bird was being freed from captivity in the inner harbor. It even clipped a few limbs as it left and it was very memorable. So that was the first official piece that launched my booth at the seaplane base.”

Albatross Departure by Emily Willey

What do you like most about painting airplanes?
“I like to reflect the intricacies of the planes through my work. It is fun to capture a photo of a plane at the seaplane base and then recreate that scene in a watercolor. I like to paint all the details of the aircraft and to be very accurate. Airplane owners often commission me to paint a portrait of their plane and it’s important to people to get their plane right. So my goal is to provide that service and I enjoy doing it.”

FUN FACT: Emily is working on obtaining her pilot’s license.

What is something else that you want to share about your work?
“I guess that I just have so many fond memories of my many years of experiences at the seaplane base that it feels like a little bit of my heart is painted into each piece that I create and send out around the world.”

What are the three words or feelings that come to mind when you think about the seaplane base and your art work?
“Passion, happiness, and fond memories of shared experiences meeting interesting people from all around the world.”

I think these sentiments universally sum up the experience that we all feel when we visit the EAA Seaplane Base. Emily’s work is a beautiful reminder of that experience and brings the added depth of an artist that is deeply connected to the subject she so beautifully portrays.

You can find her work at:
https://www.willeyart.com/

Follow at:
https://business.facebook.com/WilleyArt/
 https://www.instagram.com/willey_art/

~ Emily loves to paint everything from full murals to painted furniture. Any subject matter too! She also paints on canvas and loves painting watercolor!
https://www.willeyart.com/about

The World of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 360

Andrew Stevens

By Andrew Stevens

When it comes to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh I’m always looking for a unique way to capture the event. My goal is to see what I can create that would stand out against the masses of similarly angled shots and amazing photography that we see each and every year. Don’t get me wrong – I love every little bit of it and all the amazing photographs that come out of the event every year. However, from my current standpoint, if I’m going to take my eye off the show to capture it then I want to find a way to make my efforts stand out more than the next person.

Usually, my creativity doesn’t drift too far away from the norm, but during the year off, 360 degree videos caught my eye and got me wondering how AirVenture in 360 would look. The only 360 camera I could find was a GoPro MAX and I remember liking the different angles you could get with a regular GoPro when a friend of SAJ, Shahn Sederberg, used one a few years back. So, my curiosity had me wondering what 360 images would look like if I went nearly the entire event with the focus on using the 360 camera for video and images.

As you may know, GoPro cameras are great for up close action shots, so that eliminates much of the airshow when it comes to aircraft flying, but that didn’t stop me from getting some unique shots of planes flying directly overhead and taxiing out. However, when it came to ground photos, this is where things got really unique – and perhaps a little weird to look at, but it absolutely hit the mark on the creative element I was looking for when capturing this year’s AirVenture.

I hope you enjoy this unique look at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021! Check out the Flickr gallery below to see more than 60 unique pictures from the event.

20210801_151058000_iOS 6

Below are a number of short 360 videos from the event. During these videos you can pause at any point and continue to look around by clicking and dragging your mouse on the video. Enjoy!

18 Minutes of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021

Andrew Stevens

By Andrew Stevens

While this year I captured things a little bit different than normal – see article – I still recorded a good amount of regular footage revolving around the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Check out the following video for 18+ minutes of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021!

Here’s a timelapse of hot air balloons setting up during the Friday night Twilight Flight Fest.

The Traditions of AirVenture

Andrew Stevens

With over 600,000 people attending the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration every year for the past 50 years, it is easy to guess that many traditions have developed for everyone. Some of these traditions can be on the personal level that only you and your family participate in, some can be unique to where you happen to camp on the grounds (the coffin in the woods“….), and others that can include yearly activities that are put on by EAA and the companies that attend.

Now that I think more about it, and I’m sure it’s like this for many of us who are regular attendees, but AirVenture is basically a weeklong tradition with many smaller rituals that take place within. No wonder the week is so special to us all. It is, of course, the Spirit of Aviation – the airplanes and gathering of friends, that defines AirVenture. However, it’s the shared memories and, ultimately, the developed customs that occur each and every year that make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the greatest week of the year. Sorry, Santa.

My Dad and I share many traditions over the week at AirVenture. But the one that sticks out the most is how we conclude our week. Every year we receive our weekly wristband passes that we wear for the entire week. However, at the conclusion of AirVenture, we always get out a couple of Spotted Cow beers and have a wristband cutting ceremony. We have a moment of cheers with our drinks to the success of another incredible week, talk about all the excitement we experienced, and then go through the ceremonial act of the cutting of the wristbands. 

It’s just one of many traditions for us that makes the entire week so special.

Now, rather than going on about other rituals we practice throughout the week, I thought it would be great to hear some of your favorite traditions as well. Please share them with us either on Facebook or Twitter. If you don’t have accounts on either, then you can email me directly at andrew@stateaviationjournal.com. With your permission by sharing your story on Twitter, Facebook or by email, I will include it in the next State Aviation Journal magazine. Plus, I will also retweet your stories on Twitter if you use that platform and share it that way.

So, what is one of your favorite traditions that takes place during AirVenture?

My Favorite AirVenture Tweets from the Past Four Years

Andrew Stevens

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is full of so many exciting memories, many which we all have shared on social media over the years. That’s certainly been the case for me as I’ve captured many exciting moments to share with my following on Twitter. Here are some my best tweets from AirVenture over the past four years. Enjoy!

#OSH16

#OSH16 (Props & Hops by our friends at Hartzell was always great to attend at the end of the day on Monday)

#OSH17

#OSH17 (I love watching this take-off performance by the Blue Angels)

#OSH17 (Such a great evening with the B-1)

#OSH17 (Our friends at ICON Aircraft taking a moment in the evening to enjoy some Mario Kart!)

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH18

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19

#OSH19 (By far my most retweeted tweet on Twitter)

#OSH19

The Sounds of AirVenture

Andrew Stevens

Last year my wife and I moved from the east coast to the west coast and I took a 5-week trek from Maryland to California. It so happened that right in the middle of our trip was the EAA Skiplane Fly-in, so we stopped by the grounds which I’ve been on so many times before and saw it for the first time outside of AirVenture. Even with it bundled up for the winter, it was just as joyous and incredible being there in the dead of winter as it is during its height in the summer during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

In my article (read here) I explain that even though there wasn’t anything happening on the grounds I could still hear with my auditory memory the helicopters flying right over head giving enthusiasts a sky view of the grounds below. It was also easy to hear the Ford Tri-motor taking off and the B-17 soaring high above for those taking rides from Appleton. I then imagined the fighter jets buzzing by as well where in those moments it is not just the afterburners of the jets igniting, but our passion as aviation enthusiasts as well.

AirVenture wasn’t taking place in that moment in the middle of winter, but I could still sense the energy of its history in the air. Unfortunately, 2020 is like another winter where it’s best if we all stay home, keep safe and warm, and wait for summer to come. But while we wait for our next summer together in Oshkosh, it’s still just as easy to close our eyes and imagine ourselves there. That’s exactly what the authors are doing when I read each of their stories published in the latest State Aviation Journal magazine focusing on the past decade of AirVenture.

B-29 “Fifi”

The fact that AirVenture creates these strong memories that bring us all together so well means that we’re all going to come back stronger from this and it’ll make the next AirVenture even greater than ever before. It won’t be the same as any other year, because it’s going to bring a renewed energy, a renewed passion, and a brand-new level of excitement from all of us who attend. We’ll start the tradition once again and fill it with a revitalized anticipation that’s going to engulf us all as #OSH21 draws near. I can already hear the sounds of AirVenture coming in the distance“…

I’m sure you can hear the sounds of AirVenture too.

Stories of AirVenture: A Perfect Only at Oshkosh Moment!

Andrew Stevens

For many years I would roll into Oshkosh, Wisconsin a few days before the official start of AirVenture. I was able to work with my Dad to set up the NASAO booth and then take a minute to stroll around the grounds to see what planes had arrived and then anticipate those that were still inbound. It was always exciting traveling to Oshkosh and to play a part in setting up a booth before the official show began. That experience always got me excited for the week ahead. However, there’s one year in particular that stands out a bit more than the others.

2016

Andrew Stevens, left and Kim Stevens

It was an overcast day on Sunday, the day before AirVenture, and even though my Dad and I went through the normal steps of setting up the booth, getting our photo at the 2016 AirVenture sign, and then heading to the store to get our traditional reward of Spotted Cow beer, it still took a minute before that moment arrived that really reminded me that this is Oshkosh. Don’t get me wrong at all though, I was still full of excitement and anticipation for the week, but for whatever reason I was still waiting for that one moment to remind me officially.

One of the nice things about renting a place just outside of Wittman is that we had a great view of aircraft that were flying around in the area. Also, waking up every morning to the sound of warbirds flying by will always be one of my happiest memories and one that is simply Oshkosh.

It was Sunday night and my Dad and I had just finished our Spotted Cows. We were also working on the daily Skybrief for AirVenture. It was still overcast outside and a pretty quiet evening overall as the sun was about to set for the day.

Suddenly, it happened. We heard something very large flying overhead. My Dad and I rushed outside looking up toward nothing but clouds in the sky. But as we kept out a watchful and hopeful eye that we would see something, we eventually did as an absolute giant of a red bird by the name of Martin Mars came peeking out from within the clouds to say hello.

Seeing the Martin Mars for the first time in person this way was such an amazing experience to see in that moment as the world’s largest water bomber gracefully revealed itself from the clouds above. It was a sight to see that only seems to happen at Oshkosh – a perfect “only at Oshkosh” moment.

Without knowing it, that was exactly the moment I was waiting for to officially kick off AirVenture 2016. And it was incredible.