In spite of the weather (this year's gathering was dubbed "Sploshkosh"), July 26 - August 1, 2010 in Oshkosh, WI marked a very successful year for the Experimental Aircraft Association. www.airventure.org
"In my 35 years as chairman, these were the most difficult conditions ever" leading up to a convention", EAA Chairman/President Tom Poberezny said.
"But it's not how you start; it's how you finish."
EAA's army of volunteers and staff divided and conquered the litany of tasks that needed to be done to overcome the soggy grounds and, literally, save the 2010 convention.
"People are passionate for this event and for EAA," he said.
Though figures will likely show a decrease in overall attendance, all sectors of showplanes except for vintage saw increased numbers, he said, plus there were more exhibitors than 2009 and international visitors were up 4 percent.
"This was a great convention - we couldn't get all the aircraft on the field, but we wound up getting more on than we had thought possible," Poberezny said.
The sight of coming over the State Highway 44 overpass and seeing a North 40 absent of airplanes was surreal, he said.
"I never thought that would have happened, but it did…and we overcame it."
The Experimental Aircraft Association has a wonderful website we suggest you visit. It's not too early to start planning for 2011!
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