Oshkosh 2026

flyingcheesehead said:
Were I going to buy one today, it'd be this. https://www.bluettipower.com/produc...nt=47282470027483&id=687f38a163e18b529ef25fb6
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I have something similar. Jackery Power Station and Solar Panel This setup worked great for keeping our phones, laptops, and camera batteries charged. Even on cloudy days, it worked great.

After some research, I ordered this Bodega portable refrigerator and I've been testing it out. It's amazing. The first time I set it a little to cold and had a slushy beer. No more digging through ice or hoping the ice truck comes by before I get too low.

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And the solution to which way your tent faces is... get a Vintage plane! We park our planes facing North!
 
Jim K said:
Is that a Coleman? I think @masloki has (had?) the same one. That's one of the things I like about the Kelty I have. The porch is big enough to stand in and put shoes on. It also makes a good "garage" for the bike, cooler, etc.
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Yes, it's a Coleman. I can stand up straight in the center of the tent, I'm 5'11" tall. You can't stand on the porch, but it's a nice place to sit in the evenings when the mosquitos come out! Coleman quality is good enough, but not great. They seem to last me about 3 years and that's camping at OSH for 7 days. Any other fly-in campouts I take a smaller tent.
 
Lowflynjack said:
I have something similar. Jackery Power Station and Solar Panel This setup worked great for keeping our phones, laptops, and camera batteries charged. Even on cloudy days, it worked great.
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The Jackery is what got me shopping in the first place, as some of my campmates got one and it worked pretty well. They're happy with it, and rightfully so.

What pushes me toward Bluetti is that they seem to have consistently better price/performance and no quality complaints online AFAICT. For example, same price on the Bluetti gets you the same capacity but double the output wattage and I think a 100W vs a 60W solar panel. The other win for Bluetti is that they use industry-standard solar panel connections, so you don't have to buy their panels if you happen to have some third-party ones sitting in your garage like I do, or you have another source to get them cheaper.
 
I've had no issues w/ my EcoFlow River Pro.
We usually put the panels out and charge our battery packs up while enjoying the afternoon airshow at base camp in the N40.
2nd charging option is to find an empty plug up at the shower house or camp store. 3rd charging option is the Honda suitcase generator that usually stays in the truck in the parking lot.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
The Jackery is what got me shopping in the first place, as some of my campmates got one and it worked pretty well. They're happy with it, and rightfully so.

What pushes me toward Bluetti is that they seem to have consistently better price/performance and no quality complaints online AFAICT. For example, same price on the Bluetti gets you the same capacity but double the output wattage and I think a 100W vs a 60W solar panel. The other win for Bluetti is that they use industry-standard solar panel connections, so you don't have to buy their panels if you happen to have
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flyingcheesehead said:
some third-party ones sitting in your garage like I do, or you have another source to get them cheaper.
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I do a lot of research, but sounds like you did a lot more! I'll be honest, some of the numbers hurt my head, so I just spent time reading reviews. So far, so good, but more power is always better!
baboss said:
I've had no issues w/ my EcoFlow River Pro.
We usually put the panels out and charge our battery packs up while enjoying the afternoon airshow at base camp in the N40.
2nd charging option is to find an empty plug up at the shower house or camp store. 3rd charging option is the Honda suitcase generator that usually stays in the truck in the parking lot.
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At least you said keeping it in the parking lot! I've only had one issue with someone running their generator late into the night. I helped them follow the rules by shutting it off!
 
Lowflynjack said:
I do a lot of research, but sounds like you did a lot more! I'll be honest, some of the numbers hurt my head, so I just spent time reading reviews. So far, so good, but more power is always better!
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Yeah, I do that. I'll spend less than $100 without thinking about it, but any more than that I usually spend some time on it to ensure I'm getting the product I really want, that will last a while. Sometimes it pays off handsomely - When I've bought used cars, once I identify the model I want, I look at what options there are on each trim level in some depth, and I've discovered that you can often find loaded, top-tier models that are incorrectly listed as base models and get yourself a screaming deal.
 
If you have Ryobi or similar tools, you can get charging adapters and power inverters for your battery collection. Most tool brands have work lights that are handy for camping too.
 
Thinking of taking my son to either Sun n Fun or Oshkosh this year. I’ve never been to either one. Which should I do, and where should we stay? Will be flying in commercial.
 
@jssaylor2007 you'll need to hustle if you are thinking about SunNFun - it starts tomorrow!

They are different vibes, but both great aviation events. I'm partial to Oshkosh but that's just because of the crew I run with. Where to stay is an incredibly complex question. If you want to go this year, you will be very limited on options so just find anywhere to stay, make the trip and take notes on what you liked and want to change for the next time. (it becomes an obsession) Good luck!
 
EvilEagle said:
@jssaylor2007 you'll need to hustle if you are thinking about SunNFun - it starts tomorrow!

They are different vibes, but both great aviation events. I'm partial to Oshkosh but that's just because of the crew I run with. Where to stay is an incredibly complex question. If you want to go this year, you will be very limited on options so just find anywhere to stay, make the trip and take notes on what you liked and want to change for the next time. (it becomes an obsession) Good luck!
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Oh wow time flies, didn’t even realize it was already here. So Oshkosh it is looks like.
 
jssaylor2007 said:
Oh wow time flies, didn’t even realize it was already here. So Oshkosh it is looks like.
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I'm sure you can find a room somewhere near OSH, but it will be expensive and so will rental cars. I book a room every year for one day and when I'm checking out, I book it for the next year.
 
WDD said:
As far as how to get there from flying commercial, others can chime in. Fly to Chicago, rent a car?
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Fly to Chicago, rent a motor home for the week. $$$ but you'll have a place to stay right on the field plus climate control and your own toilet and shower.

Having done Oshkosh 20+ times, an RV on the field is the best experience. The aforementioned creature comforts plus getting to live and breathe aviation 24x7 is heaven on earth. Seriously, I hope when I die, I find myself sitting in Camp Scholler with a margarita in hand, with all my flying buddies sitting around a fire telling flying stories.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Seriously, I hope when I die, I find myself sitting in Camp Scholler with a margarita in hand, with all my flying buddies sitting around a fire telling flying stories.
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That would suck for your friends! Kent? Kent? Prop him up in the golf cart and we'll Weekend at Bernies him for one last tour!
 
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Lowflynjack said:
I have something similar. Jackery Power Station and Solar Panel This setup worked great for keeping our phones, laptops, and camera batteries charged. Even on cloudy days, it worked great.

After some research, I ordered this Bodega portable refrigerator and I've been testing it out. It's amazing. The first time I set it a little to cold and had a slushy beer. No more digging through ice or hoping the ice truck comes by before I get too low.

View attachment 151325 View attachment 151326

And the solution to which way your tent faces is... get a Vintage plane! We park our planes facing North!
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Unless we park facing north which happens in the 195 rows.:cool:
 
We face the Magoo taxiway. The ones parked on the north face south, the ones on the south face north. I am referring to the first rows. After that all bets are off. We even "end cap" if necessary.
 
Captain Larry said:
We face the Magoo taxiway. The ones parked on the north face south, the ones on the south face north. I am referring to the first rows. After that all bets are off. We even "end cap" if necessary.
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I'm usually not too far South of you guys, just a few rows. We face North most years, but I have been on an end a couple of times, facing East. That's not bad, but puts you too close to everyone walking by during the day. Affects my nap time!
 
Jim K said:
Starting on prep. I contacted Kelty, and they offered to repair the ripped fly and broken poles resulting from my big 6 person tent getting blown down last year. I'm annoyed it broke, but impressed that they agreed to service it for free even though wind damage is expressly omitted in their warranty language. Ordered some extra stakes and I'm going to double up on the guy wires this year. I thought about buying one of the Alaskan Guide tents, but they only sell the fiberglass pole version now, and it's $600, which is hard to swallow for once a year use.

I also ordered some new aluminum poles for a cheap old Wenzel 4 person tent that i've had for 15(?) years. The originals are pretty flimsy small diameter fiberglass, but I learned that "tent pole technologies" will make you replacements in whatever material and size you specify. I'm hoping the much larger diameter Al poles will turn a worthless tent into one that will survive the inevitable storm. Probably ought to re-waterproof the fly.

So that's accommodations for seven. Just have to get there early to make sure I have space enough to put them both up.
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You could Air BnB the tent out during the year! :)
 
We just got the email from our Volunteer Chairman soliciting inputs for our work schedule. Out reply is usually just give us what we had last year, but this year we're asking for some minor changes. For this email is the official start of final planning.
 
tsts4 said:
We just got the email from our Volunteer Chairman soliciting inputs for our work schedule. Out reply is usually just give us what we had last year, but this year we're asking for some minor changes. For this email is the official start of final planning.
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Mine's a little different. I work all day, every day! They only schedule me for air-to-air shoots and some statics, everything else is just me walking around taking pics.
 
Lowflynjack said:
Mine's a little different. I work all day, every day! They only schedule me for air-to-air shoots and some statics, everything else is just me walking around taking pics.
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Yeah pretty sure most of the other volunteer areas have to juggle the availability of dozens of folks to insure coverage. It's a thankless exercise in herding cats and I don't envy them in the least. I think our guys have it better than some in that we have always had more folks volunteer than we need for 3 4-hour shifts daily starting the Thursday before the show.
 
Tips for Flying Into EAA AirVenture 2026

Webinar​

Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 7 p.m. CDT

Presenter: Fred Stadler

Learn all about the 2026 AirVenture NOTICE arrival procedures. This presentation will be especially helpful for someone who has not flown into AirVenture before. EAA’s volunteer NOTICE chairman, Fred Stadler, describes FAA required procedures and shares useful tips for reducing pilot workload when flying into Oshkosh for AirVenture 2026.
 
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The Vintage Flightline requires specific training each year, but you're free to work as little or as much as you like any hours we are open (roughly 6AM-8PM). There are some specific jobs we have sign up sheets for just so we make sure we have coverage, but most workers just get come and go as they like.
 
flyingron said:
The Vintage Flightline requires specific training each year, but you're free to work as little or as much as you like any hours we are open (roughly 6AM-8PM). There are some specific jobs we have sign up sheets for just so we make sure we have coverage, but most workers just get come and go as they like.
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I'm going to be arriving and parking in Vintage a bit early. Should I find a sign up sheet for volunteering? I have nothing better to do on Fri, so I guess I could clean out the crappers or shuck corn, or paint rails, or test the beer tappers? Damn, the fresh corn in July is gooooood. Brats, beer and corn that just came off the stalk a few miles away. What a midwest goober I am.
 
Barrett50 said:
I'm going to be arriving and parking in Vintage a bit early. Should I find a sign up sheet for volunteering? I have nothing better to do on Fri, so I guess I could clean out the crappers or shuck corn, or paint rails, or test the beer tappers? Damn, the fresh corn in July is gooooood. Brats, beer and corn that just came off the stalk a few miles away. What a midwest goober I am.
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No sign up is required. We hold training sessions at 9AM and 1PM each day at our ops building which is diagonally across the road from the Hangar Cafe (Machine Shed). You only need to attend one. Once trained, you can come back at any time we're open (6AM-8PM) to volunteer.
 
EvilEagle said:
Thursday morning 0900-1015 in the warbird briefing room/shack/hut (can’t ever remember what the official name is).
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Cool, I'll try to catch it. May be going in a C-45 (Twin Beech) this year. Unsure whether we'll park in Warbird or Vintage.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Cool, I'll try to catch it. May be going in a C-45 (Twin Beech) this year. Unsure whether we'll park in Warbird or Vintage.
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If it doesn't have spar strap, I'll say a novena in mid-July for y'all. No banking over 45!
 
flyingron said:
The Vintage Flightline requires specific training each year, but you're free to work as little or as much as you like any hours we are open (roughly 6AM-8PM). There are some specific jobs we have sign up sheets for just so we make sure we have coverage, but most workers just get come and go as they like.
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Isn't there a minimum? I know a lot of volunteers were let go a few years ago because they would volunteer to get the perks, then not do anything. I think I have to put in 40 hours during the week, even filling out a timesheet.

And wow, it's getting here quickly!
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Lowflynjack said:
Isn't there a minimum? I know a lot of volunteers were let go a few years ago because they would volunteer to get the perks, then not do anything. I think I have to put in 40 hours during the week, even filling out a timesheet.
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You have to work at least one stretch beyond the training class or we won't give you your volunteer badge (which gets you the free snacks, etc...). There are certain hour requirements to qualify for NEXT YEAR's admission and camping credentials (this I think is changing again this year, I was sleeping through the last planning meeting, there's another this afternoon).
 
Lowflynjack said:
Isn't there a minimum? I know a lot of volunteers were let go a few years ago because they would volunteer to get the perks, then not do anything. I think I have to put in 40 hours during the week, even filling out a timesheet.

And wow, it's getting here quickly!
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For us it's 20 hrs to get a weekly wrist band for the following year so I plan our shifts accordingly which are scheduled-- no walk-ups allowed. I can't remember the total required to also get camping credentials--not a thing for us as we camp offsite.
 
tsts4 said:
For us it's 20 hrs to get a weekly wrist band for the following year so I plan our shifts accordingly which are scheduled-- no walk-ups allowed. I can't remember the total required to also get camping credentials--not a thing for us as we camp offsite.
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I get a weekly pass, camping credentials, and sandwiches/drinks! For me, if I'm walking around, I have my camera in my hand so I'm working. I get a lot of freedom!
 
Lowflynjack said:
I get a weekly pass, camping credentials, and sandwiches/drinks! For me, if I'm walking around, I have my camera in my hand so I'm working. I get a lot of freedom!
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We get lunch as well plus access to a well-stocked fridge with water, Gatorade, and Sodas. We also have our own Porta-Potty which maybe the best perk. :happydance: We front load our shifts so we're done by Tuesday and have the rest of the week to enjoy the show.
 
tsts4 said:
We get lunch as well plus access to a well-stocked fridge with water, Gatorade, and Sodas. We also have our own Porta-Potty which maybe the best perk. :happydance: We front load our shifts so we're done by Tuesday and have the rest of the week to enjoy the show.
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I don't get to front load my week, I've got to work every day, but since I get to fly and take photos, I can't complain! I love my job!

I really appreciate everyone working the line. Last year, we spoke with Suzifer and told her I was going to be out past the fire line taking some photos. A few minutes later, she came riding up on her scooter and asked me who I was and why I thought I could be out past the fire line! I laughed and reminded her we had just spoken and it was approved. She apologized, but I just laughed and told her it was no big deal. You have to deal with a lot of idiots all day... I'm just one of them!
 
now that I'm retired my time is a little more flexible, and I missed my sun n fun trip this year....I kinda want to go
I'm scared though becasue if I go I'll want to camp
but IF I were to go, I'd be flying commercial and rentin a car. The last time I did that was a very long time ago. Scholer was a lot smaller than it is now as I understand it. Also, I lucked into a spot right next to the entrance gate to get into the show area...right about the mid point of where the Fly Market is today.
Now days I reckon I'll be out by the interstate highway or way down south someplace a few miles away.
I'd only need a spot just big enough for the rental car and a 2-man tent beside it just like last time, but still....

I guess at least I'd be at Airventure!!!!
 
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