Online Spirit of Aviation Week helps take the sting out of AirVenture cancellation

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — While the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Experimental Aircraft Association is going to showcase the spectrum of flight in a virtual way with the EAA Spirit of Aviation Week July 21-25, 2020.

The five-day event will include streamed and on-demand content, encompassing nearly every subset of aviation, with a focus on educational, informational, and entertaining content, according to EAA officials.

EAA’s special interest groups will also be heavily involved, bringing highlights that include homebuilts, warbirds, vintage, aerobatics, ultralights, and much more, officials add.

“Nothing can replace the Oshkosh experience in person during AirVenture week, as that event personifies the common passion we have for flight, in all its wonderful ways,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA’s CEO and chairman of the board. “As unfortunate as it was that the cancellation of AirVenture 2020 took away that personal experience, countless people and groups have stepped forward to ask what they could do to virtually create something from Oshkosh that brings us together as aviators and aviation enthusiasts. We’re going to incorporate as many of them as possible during a full five-day event.”

Among the highlights planned for EAA Spirit of Aviation Week are:

• Presentations, forums, and discussions with notable leaders in aviation
• Historical and archival content that highlights aviation legends
• Homebuilding workshops, discussions, and educational tips
• Content centered on pilot proficiency and learning to fly
• A virtual exhibit space that showcases products, show specials, videos, and services available from the hundreds of AirVenture exhibitors.
• Features from air show performers to military and space programs
• Stories from those in EAA’s community through Hangar Flying segments

EAAtogether.org will be the exclusive home of the five-day event. The schedule is expected to launch in the coming weeks before the virtual opening day, under the theme and hashtag #EAAtogether.

“The people of EAA make The Spirit of Aviation and that’s what we’re celebrating these five days,” Pelton said. “All we’re missing are tents and campfire aroma, but perhaps that’s something you and your EAA chapter can add wherever you are with your local aviation family.”