Hundreds of aviation enthusiasts from Australia and New Zealand will be making a pilgrimage next July to Oshkosh, landing in a 747 jetliner at EAA AirVenture, in a group trip dubbed the “Oshkosh Express.” AirVenture is slated for July 26-Aug. 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The Oshkosh Express charter flights from “Down Under” first took place more than 20 years ago, but the 2010 charter is the first in a 747 since 1998. Several hundred EAA members are expected to make the journey.
“The enthusiasm of those who were a part of past Oshkosh Express journeys made their arrival a highlight of the year at Oshkosh,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. “The ability to have such charter flights also shows the draw EAA AirVenture and Oshkosh are for people around the world.”
The Oshkosh Express group will travel from Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand, then on to Los Angeles before landing at AirVenture. They are expected to arrive at Oshkosh on opening day in an Air New Zealand 747. They will stay throughout the week, and many of those visitors will also extend their visits to the U.S. following AirVenture, EAA officials said.
The Oshkosh Express is organized by Avtours Australia, which organizes charters for aviation groups throughout the year.
For more information: Avtours.com.au or EAA.org.
