Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a pilot. And, since the first time I heard about Oshkosh, the biggest Air Festival in the world, I’ve wanted to visit. Oshkosh is organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association, and is held in the beautiful city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The official name is “airventure” but no decent pilot uses that name — you just say, “I’m going to Oshkosh!”
For the last 20 years, I’ve been trying to go. But, like a curse, there was always something: my company denied my holiday, my company went bankrupt, my new company started training, I got married, had a baby, and so on. But, his year I told my wife and my boss I was going to Oshkosh no matter what. Miraculously, the stars aligned, and soon I left Kunming, China for Oshkosh!
When I arrived, I couldn’t believe it — I was finally there. We chose to camp inside the airfield to stay close to the action. The weather was perfect, and every morning I was awoken by the sound of the engines of warbirds, old helicopters, and every kind of airplane you can imagine, because that is what is Oshkosh about — the airplanes and the people who love them. And by airplanes, I mean every possible kind you can imagine, experimental home built airplanes, famous Warbirds of all kinds, helicopters, classic transports, and big airliners, and the air show is constant aerobatics by the best pilots in the world.
Every day I woke up at 5 am, with the blessing of my wife and her best wishes to snap good photos as she turned around and continued sleeping. I walked around the beautiful airplanes with my cameras. Nobody was around, so I would grab a coffee, talk with the volunteers, and snap photos.
I met great people and pilots, flew in my dream airplane, the Mustang P51, and also in the airplane my father learned to fly in more than 50 years ago — the Texan AT6. I took a trip back in time in the first metal airliner ever built, the Ford Trimotor, and also in the Bell 47.
To this day, I still have a smile in my face and cannot wait to return next year. As the founder of the EAA, Mr. Paul Poberezny, used to say “You come to Oshkosh for the airplanes, you come back for the people.” Paul just passed away at the age of 91. Paul was from Wisconsin, and also founder of the Oshkosh airventure. He was a true icon of the spirit of the aviation. In honor of Paul, I hope everyone enjoys the photos!
