The 2024 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, set a new attendance record with 686,000 visitors over the week-long event, highlighting its growing popularity among aviation enthusiasts. From the moment the FISK arrival procedure opened on Thursday morning, air traffic was intense.

ADS-B Exchange tracked nearly 15,000 flight operations across three Oshkosh area airports, showcasing the event’s massive scale and the high level of activity in the skies. This year’s AirVenture once again proved to be a landmark gathering for the aviation community.

As usual, the organized “mass arrivals” by aircraft type did not disappoint. Here are some replay links for a few of the larger ones. Can you spot your aircraft?

Cirrus Mass Arrival:
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?replay=2024-07-21-14:50&lat=43.920&lon=-88.589&zoom=11.4

Cherokee Mass Arrival:
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?replay=2024-07-19-15:55&lat=43.963&lon=-88.549&zoom=12.6

Cessna Mass Arrival:
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?replay=2024-07-19-21:27&lat=43.953&lon=-88.611&zoom=11.3&filterAltMax=10000

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Many of the airshow demonstrations at EAA AirVenture 2024 were tracked by ADS-B Exchange. For example, the Red Bull helicopter demo was captured using the “Export to Google Earth” feature on ADS-B Exchange. Below is an image showcasing this capability, providing an exciting new way to experience the dynamic aerial maneuvers performed during the show.

Burt Rutan’s Boomerang, one of the world’s most unique light aircraft, arrived non-stop from San Luis Obispo on Monday evening after an 8.5 hour, 1876 nm flight!

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a22dd1&lat=41.853&lon=-104.353&zoom=5.2&showTrace=2024-07-22&trackLabels&timestamp=1721683268

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With all those landings come the inevitable departures. Thursday is often the busiest departure day for fly-in attendees, as many prepare to head home or to their next destination. The skies above Oshkosh become a flurry of activity, with aircraft lining up for takeoff and controllers working diligently to manage the high volume of traffic. This mass exodus is a testament to the event’s popularity and the well-coordinated efforts of both pilots and air traffic control to ensure safe and efficient departures.

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?replay=2024-07-25-12:00&lat=43.953&lon=-88.611&zoom=11.3&filterAltMax=10000

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While observing an event like AirVenture on ADS-B Exchange can be awe-inspiring, ADS-B data can also reveal some of the unfortunate incidents that occur at such gatherings. By analyzing these incidents, the aviation community can gain valuable insights and learn lessons that help reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future. This proactive approach to safety ensures that events like AirVenture continue to be as safe as possible.

On opening day, the airport was closed for nearly an hour following the fatal crash of a Lancair Super ES on final approach to runway 36L. ADS-B data indicated the pilot was instructed to “widen out” the base leg to allow an L39 to land ahead. This incident underscores the importance of remaining vigilant when receiving non-standard instructions in high-density airspace.

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a13e73,aae1f8,ad08d2&lat=43.955&lon=-88.558&zoom=14.4&showTrace=2024-07-22&timestamp=1721668416

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Another accident occurred on the evening of July 26th involving a Diamond DA42. The aircraft was directed to make a mid-field landing on runway 18L but slightly overshot the centerline, resulting in a landing on the grass beside the runway. This led to the collapse of the left main gear. Such approaches, being atypical for many pilots, tend to be more error-prone compared to standard approaches, contributing to the mishap.

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In conclusion, EAA AirVenture 2024 once again demonstrated why it is the premier event for aviation enthusiasts. The record-breaking attendance underscores the event’s immense popularity and the intricate coordination required to manage such a large-scale gathering.

ADS-B Exchange was proud to play a role in enhancing the experience, allowing enthusiasts to track mass arrivals, airshow demonstrations, and even departures in real-time. The ability to analyze flight data and replay significant moments added a new dimension to the event, making it not only more engaging but also safer. By learning from the ADS-B data, the aviation community can continue to improve safety protocols and ensure that future events are even more successful.

For those who want to relive the excitement or study the flight patterns, ADS-B Exchange provides a comprehensive platform to explore the dynamic activity that makes EAA AirVenture a must-attend event. Visit www.ADSBexchange.com to see the skies come alive!

Dan Streufert
President, ADS-B Exchange

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