Discover Oshkosh released the economic impact study recently completed by UW Oshkosh. Based on the 2024 AirVenture record breaking numbers, the study finds that the event has a $257 million total economic impact on the Fox Valley Region and $117 million in the Oshkosh community alone!
Read the full press release here.
NIFA SAFECON Nationals returning to Oshkosh!
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) SAFECON flight competition is returning to Oshkosh, May 12-17, 2025. SAFECON or Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference, brings together several hundred competitors from the top collegiate flight teams in the nation to compete in several aviation skills including: navigation, landings, flight planning, preflight inspection, IFR simulated flight, crew-based simulations, safety, aircraft recognition, and more.
The ground and simulator portions of the competition will take place on EAA convention grounds, museum and pilot proficiency center. While the flying competitions will be based at Wittman Regional Airport.
Teams will arrive several days prior to the competition, bringing economic impact to Oshkosh and the surrounding area.
Our new, heated T-hangar facilities on the east side of the field, opened in early 2024 and are fully occupied. While these 20 new units have fulfilled a portion of our built up hangar space demand, we still maintain a large waiting list for space. To join the waiting list or inquire about your current position on it, please call Kim Maki at 920-236-4933.
Local businesses and community groups are welcome to use our 20 to 40-seat meeting rooms for a daily fee. Included are use of the kitchen area for catering, tables, chairs and audio/video equipment.
Full room 40’x25′ $200/day
Half room 20’x25′ $100/day
Please call for availability (920) 236-4930.
(Oshkosh, WI) – On Tuesday, November 10th, Wittman Regional Airport is set to reopen Taxiway Alpha (A). The reconstruction of Taxiway A was scheduled to be constructed in three phases, with phase 1 & 2 to be completed by November 13th 2020 and Phase 3 to be completed by June 11th, 2021. The successful completion of the $7,521,894 reconstruction project was accomplished ahead of the November 13th deadline and in only two phases. This achievement was done through the diligent correspondence between airport staff, OMNNI Engineering and Vinton Construction. Wittman Regional Airport is thankful to the funding contributions of this project from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the matching contributions from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics state block grant program and Winnebago County.
The 8’000 Linear Feet (LF) of concrete reconstruction project included; upgrading Taxiway “A” lights to LED lighting and signage improvements; improvements to the drainage system with enhanced grading and construction of a 4,100 LF concrete storm drain gutter; and widening the taxiway to 60′. All of these significant improvements will provide enhanced safety for use of the taxiway, and increase its useful life as the previous pavement was constructed around 1967. Taxiway A is heavily utilized year-round, and is unique in that it operates as a third runway during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This adaptation allows Wittman Regional Airport to operate three non- intersecting runways, providing for arrival and departure rates that are critical to the safety and success of the event.
We’re all disappointed with the cancellation of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020, as it means so many different things for everyone who attends. For thousands of aviators, flying to Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) is a highlight in the logbook.
As AirVenture 2020 is not taking place, Wittman Regional Airport will operate normally as a public use airport with contract tower services. For those considering flying to Oshkosh in late July, it’s important to manage expectations about what is permissible:
For those who still want to fly to Oshkosh during AirVenture week, we encourage you to park at the Terminal / Basler FBO ramp, stay at one of our local hotels, and enjoy some of Oshkosh’s hospitality. Please coordinate with Basler Flight Service to arrange any ground handling needs.
Published June 10, 2020
CORONAVIRUS UNCERTAINTY FORCES CANCELLATION OF EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020
Health and safety of participants, volunteers primary concern
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 1, 2020) — The continuing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizers of the world’s largest fly-in convention, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020, to cancel this year’s event at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The 68th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention was scheduled to be held on July 20-26, 2020.
“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. The reopening of the state also has no specific dates, creating uncertainty about mass gatherings in July. Ultimately, preserving the health and safety of all who would attend – and all the varying guidelines between states and countries from where our participants arrive – along with the massive commitments needed now for an event to meet EAA’s high standards, made cancellation 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. Those who have made such purchases will be contacted individually within the next two weeks regarding these options.
“Those of us involved in aviation know very well the importance of information gathering and planning prior to any flight, and I looked at AirVenture in much the same way before reaching this decision,” Pelton said. “While no one can see every eventuality, as we looked as the scenarios for holding the event in 2020, it was dependent on a number of important factors where there are currently no definitive answers. That is not the way to commit to an event that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to Oshkosh from more than 90 countries.
“There is no way to describe the disappointment I feel for everyone who sees AirVenture as aviation’s family reunion each year. You can be assured that EAA is already eagerly looking forward to gathering along the AirVenture flightline on July 26 through August 1 in 2021.”
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive the lowest prices on admission rates and all those age 18 and under are admitted free. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.
EDITOR’S NOTE: EAA CEO/Chairman Jack Pelton will be available at a media conference call on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Central Time. Please use the following link to reserve a slot at this conference call and receive sign-in information:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4176640460235492363
(Oshkosh, WI) – Supervisors of the Winnebago County Board approved three resolutions to move forward with the construction of a new General Aviation (GA) terminal facility at Wittman Regional Airport during Dec 17th’s County Board meeting.
The terminal project has been in the works for several years as operating costs of the existing terminal have risen. Two existing structures located on 20th Avenue will be replaced by a single, more efficient and right-sized facility to appropriately serve the airport, community, and flying public.
The current GA terminal facility, built in 1958, occupies 6,254 square feet and is operated by Basler Flight Service. The adjacent 33,000 square foot terminal was constructed in 1971 to serve commercial airline operations. Commercial airline service concluded in 2003.
Jim Schell, the Director of Wittman Regional Airport, expects to have plans finalized and submitted to the Bureau of Aeronautics and the City of Oshkosh in early 2020 with a bid opening in late April. Construction of the new GA terminal is planned to commence as early as May 2020 with completion expected approximately 13 months later. The new facility will be a single-story, 12,500 square foot building. In addition to serving general aviation air traffic, the new building will also provide space for Basler Flight Service, airport administrative offices, space for a rental car operation and meeting rooms available to the general public.
Total construction cost on the project is currently estimated at $6.8 million. Grant assistance from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics will be received in the amount of $1.8 million with the remaining balance being funded by the county. The total investment includes demolition of both existing facilities, site work and paving for a new parking lot, constructing the new GA terminal and an improved access road from 20th Avenue.
(Oshkosh, WI) – On Monday, September 23rd, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $7,521,894 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Discretionary grant funding to Wittman Regional Airport for a major taxiway reconstruction project. This grant funding is being administered through the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics (BOA) state block grant program, with matching funds of $525,000 provided by the BOA and $525,000 by Winnebago County, the airport’s sponsor.
The funding will be utilized to reconstruct major portions of Taxiway Alpha (A), the Airport’s primary north/south taxiway and the full parallel taxiway to Runway 18-36 on the field. The reconstruction and widening project is vital to the long- term viability of the airfield, as the existing pavement was primarily constructed in 1967. Also included in this project are: upgraded airfield lighting and signage, improved drainage systems, and taxiway widening all of which will provide enhanced safety for use of the taxiway. Taxiway A is heavily utilized year round, and is unique in that it operates as a third runway during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This adaptation allows Wittman Regional Airport to operate three non- intersecting runways, providing for arrival and departure rates that are critical to the safety and success of the event.
Glenn Grothman, U.S Representative for Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District stated, “I am elated that the Federal Aviation Administration will be giving a grant to the Wittman Regional Airport. This grant is not only vital for Winnebago County, but for people worldwide due to their annual EAA Airventure Fly-in. Not as well-known is the number of planes who fly here weekly, serving as a major hub for traffic for Oshkosh and surrounding areas. This investment will also be vital in training our next generation of pilots.”
Construction on the yearlong project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.
For further information on this project or other items related to Wittman Regional Airport, please contact Jim Schell, Airport Director at 920-236-4932.
