Vintage Events At AirVenture
A complete schedule of 2024 events will be posted several weeks prior to AirVenture. In the meantime, browse our schedule from AirVenture 2023, especially if you’re planning to attend for the first time in 2024 and want to get an idea of what to expect!
“Vintage Village” is packed with things to do during your visit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! Whether you’re looking to learn more about a particular aircraft at one of our Type Club tables, hear from owners, pilots, and mechanics during Vintage in Review, browse our bookstore for aviation-related reading material, or just take it all in, we offer all that and more!
Vintage AirVenture 2023 Events Schedule
Special Events:
Headling the Vintage area in 2023 are the celebrations of two milestones within the vintage aircraft movement: the 90th Anniversary of the Continental A-40 Engine and the 75th Anniversary of the Cessna 170. Look for forums, displays, and gatherings featuring these groundbreaking advancements in the world of aviation!
Pre-Convention:
If you plan to arrive in Oshkosh early and would like to help with last minute preparations, visit our Volunteer Center located at the corner of Wittman Road and Vern Avenue outside the Red Barn. We have jobs for all skill and experience levels. Become an active part of Vintage AirVenture!
Ongoing Events Throughtout the Week:
Breakfast at Tall Pines Café: The best breakfast at AirVenture! Located on Wittman Road by the Ultralight runway, Tall Pines is open from 6:30 to 9:30 starting the Saturday before AirVenture through Saturday the 30th.
Vintage Forums
Sponsored by B&C Specialty Products
Monday through Friday at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 in the Vintage Hangar
See daily schedules for a list of forums.
Vintage in Review
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM daily
Location: Rose Memorial Plaza
Presenter: Ray Johnson
Just east of the Vintage Hangar, Vintage in Review opens each day in Rose Memorial Plaza at 10:45 AM with the Ladies for Liberty, who perform popular music from the WWII era. At 11:00 AM, OX5 and rotary engine runs will take place, and then Ray interviews the owners and restorers of exceptional and unique vintage airplanes. Come see the best of the best vintage aircraft featured at Vintage in Review!
Headliners will be listed on the daily schedules as they are confirmed. Other daily interviews TBD.
Type Clubs
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily
Location: Vintage Hangar
Presenter: Charlie Waterhouse
Come visit the Type Club Area located in the Vintage Hangar to learn more about Aeroncas, Cessnas, Stinsons, Wacos, and everything in-between! Type Clubs representing various types of vintage aircraft have tables set up from 12:00 to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to display information, meet visitors, and answer questions. Type Clubs can help save you money, keep you from making mistakes others have already made, show you how to restore, maintain and fly your airplane – in short, they can provide the equivalent of many years of hard won experience at a very low cost!
Fun and Affordable Aircraft Display
Location: East of the Vintage Red Barn, Across Wittman Road
Flying doesn’t have to be expensive- it can be Fun and Affordable! Come see our showcase of air-worthy, type certificated “every-day flying” vintage airplanes that cost around $20,000 to $50,000. While these airplanes aren’t for sale, this is your opportunity to take an up-close look at the airplanes, talk with their owners, and ask questions in case you’re interested in purchasing a vintage plane in the future.
Hand Propping Demonstration
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 10:30 AM daily and 1:00 – 1:30 PM daily
Location: Rose Memorial Plaza
Presenter: Dion & Mary Carr
Prop it right and save a life! Dion Carr, A&P/AI assisted by his wife, Mary Carr, will demonstrate the safe way to hand prop an aircraft engine. Many vintage aircraft must be started by hand propping since they have no electric starter. We have taught over a thousand visitors how to safely hand prop engines here at Oshkosh over the years, so come on out and get some tips on hand propping!
Metal Shaping Demonstrations
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM daily
Location: Vintage Hangar
Presenter: Dave Wenglarz and Maxwell Wenglarz
See metal shaping of aircraft cowlings and other compound surfaces performed by experts, Dave and Maxwell Wenglarz of Wings Metal Works. If you are looking to discover how they bend those fancy curves for vintage aircraft, or if you are plagued with a problem reverse compound curve for your project, stop by the metal workshop inside the Vintage Hangar. They will be available the entire week to demonstrate use of the English Wheel and other equipment. Watch closely and you may be given a chance to try your hand at it. Enter the workshop from the outside of Vintage Hangar on the south side – look for the signs!
Cable Splicing Demonstrations
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 1:30 PM
Location: Vintage Hangar
Presenter: Maxwell Wenglarz
Join Maxwell Wenglarz as he demonstrates the Cable Wrap and Solder method as well as the Navy 5 Tuck Splice in the Vintage Hangar Monday through Friday starting at 1:30. These two methods will set your pre-1945 aircraft apart from the others when these details are added to your restorations!
Paul’s Vintage Workshop
Day/Time: Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM daily
Location: Vintage Hangar
Presenter: Jim Hamilton and Don Bartlet
Come get your hands dirty and learn some tips and tricks at Paul’s Vintage Workshop, which takes place in the northeast corner of the Vintage Hangar. A&P’s Jim Hamilton and Don Bartlet will demonstrate welding and fabric covering, and you’ll have the opportunity to give these skills a try in this hands-on workshop.
Vintage Children’s Hands-On Workshop
Day/Time: Mon, Tue, and Thu, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: Vintage Hangar
Presenter: Charlie Waterhouse
Calling all kids around ages 8 to 12 who want to learn more about using tools! This workshop includes various stations that allow kids to practice the proper use of basic hand tools, such as hammers and pliers. There will even be some more advanced, aviation-related stations such as safety wiring and cable swaging. Parents are encouraged to attend and watch their kids progress. Located just outside of Vintage Hangar on the south side – look for the tent with tables underneath!
Vintage Membership Booth
AirVenture is a great time to join the Vintage Aircraft Association or renew your membership! If you join during the convention, you’ll get a coupon for a free Tall Pines Café breakfast and receive 10% off your entire purchase at the Red Barn Store. Be a part of Vintage- “Where the FUN Is”!
Vintage Red Barn Store
Shop our vast selection of VAA merchandise ranging from clothing, accessories, home decor, gifts, kids items, and more! New inventory is added each year, so check out what we have to offer! Vintage Aircraft Association members receive 10% off all purchases.
2023 Red Barn Store Hours
Saturday, 7/22: 1 PM – 4 PM
Sunday, 7/23 : 1 PM – 4 PM
Monday 7/24 & Tuesday 7/25: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday 7/26: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday 7/27 & Friday 7/28: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday 7/29: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday 7/30: 10 AM – 4 PM
Store hours subject to change in the case of inclement weather
Vintage Bookstore
Located just south of the Vintage Hangar in Rose Plaza, the Vintage Bookstore has accumulated a large and varied inventory of used and/or out-of-print aviation books through generous donations. We have categories that include The Golden Age, Pre-War, Post-War, Children/Young Adult, Biographies, Manuals/Technical, Better Books, paperbacks and more! Donations are accepted during AirVenture and are tax deductible.
Red Barn Welcome Center
Your headquarters for information, emergency phone numbers, schedule of events, popcorn, and lemonade. You can pick up your participant plaque if you flew an aircraft into the Vintage area, or purchase tickets for the Vintage Picnic held on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Tall Pines Café. Our volunteers can also help arrange transportation on and off the field.
Charging Station
If your phone or other electronic device is getting low on battery life, drop it off at the Vintage Charging Station. It will be kept safe and cool inside our air-condtioned building until you’re ready to pick it up. Located just west of the Vintage Red Barn.
Vintage Aircraft Tram Tours
Get an up close and personal look at rows and rows of rare and unique vintage aircraft! Tours are 45 minutes long and depart on the hour in front of the Vintage Red Barn. No reservations– first come, first served.
Charles W. Harris Memorial Park (“Charlie’s Park”)
If you’re looking for a place to take a break, head to the Charles W. Harris Memorial Park. Located behind the Vintage Hangar, “Charlie’s Park” is one of the only places on the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds where you’ll find ample shade! Picnic tables are available, or bring a blanket and sprawl out on the grass!