Vintage At AirVenture
Planning to attend AirVenture for the first time in 2024? Take a look at our 2023 schedule to get an idea of what to expect!
Countdown to EAA AirVenture 2024
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AirVenture Dates
2024: July 22 – July 28
2025: July 21 – July 27
The Vintage Vintage area of the EAA convention grounds starts at our Red Barn HQ and the Vintage Hangar in Bill & Myrt Rose Park and continues south nearly a mile and a half with rows and rows of vintage aircraft.
Each year our members fly in and display their great aircraft built between December 17, 1903 and December 31, 1970.
We have some of the best volunteer opportunities available on the field, both for experienced and first-time volunteers. Each spring VAA sponsors three work weekends at the Vintage AirVenture site. We welcome you to join us.
If you are flying in please bring your tie-downs. ALL aircraft MUST be tied-down
Learn more here
View Vintage AirVenture activities at the links below. Specific activities and schedules for next AirVenture will be posted in spring as they are finalized.
Aircraft Categories
Antique Aircraft- Constructed by the original manufacturer (or licensee) on or before August 31, 1945
Classic Aircraft- Constructed from September 1, 1945 through December 31, 1955
Contemporary Aircraft- Constructed from January 1, 1956 through December 31, 1970
In many communities VAA members have formed local Chapters to share their enthusiasm for these special aircraft. Division members also receive Vintage Airplane magazine, the group’s outstanding publication. The magazine highlights the maintenance, operation, and restoration of vintage aircraft. It includes “how-to” articles, reports on aircraft restoration, historic articles, and much more.
If you’re tired of just being an observer and want to be a part of the action, step right up to the VAA Volunteer Center adjacent to the Vintage entry archway, near the VAA Red Barn. You can volunteer and be part of the EAA experience. When you go home this year, you won’t say, “I was at Oshkosh”; you’ll say, “I was a part of Oshkosh!”
Other activities in Vintage at AirVenture include:
Tall Pines Café
You won’t want to miss this freshly cooked breakfast! Tall Pines is located on the South end of Wittman Field, just north of the Ultralight runway. We position it there to fill the food need for our many campers on the south end of the field. Trams are also available if you are coming from the North end of the field. Open daily 6:30 – 9:30 am beginning the Saturday and Sunday before AirVenture opens.
Annual VAA Picnic
The VAA Picnic is Wednesday evening during AirVenture at the Tall Pines Cafe. The picnic is a great chance for VAA members and their guests to join for an evening of food and fellowship. Tram service from the VAA Red Barn to the picnic is available. Tickets are available inside the Red Barn and must be purchased prior to the picnic.
FUN and AFFORDABLE Vintage Airplanes
“An airworthy type certificated (as well as FUN and AFFORDABLE) vintage plane can be purchased for around $15,000. That’s one-half to one-third of the cost of a new SUV.” FInd out more about Fun and Affordable Vintage Airplanes.
Vintage Bookstore
Browse our selection of resonably priced aviation related books and magazines spanning categories such as The Golden Age, Pre-War, Post-War, Children’s/Young Adult, Biography, Manuals/Technical, Better Books, paperbacks and more. All materials have been donated, so you never know what you might find! Proceeds benefit our members and guests by going into repairs, upkeep, and improvements of Vintage Village. Be sure to make a stop at the Vintage Bookstore during your time at AirVenture!
Volunteer Center
Do you have some free time when attending AirVenture? Would you like the best seat in the house to see the airshow? Want to see our many showplanes close-up? Then volunteer with Vintage. During convention we have jobs which last from one hour to days on end. Join one of our training classes and learn how to park and guide aircraft on the ground. Shadow an experienced biker until you are confident enough to start parking planes. Or just spend an hour in our Red Barn making and giving out popcorn. Anyone can become involved at Vintage. Our Volunteer center, staffed by volunteers like you, is open daily on the flight line just east of the Red Barn and under the red Vintage Tower.
Vintage Flightline
Volunteering on the Vintage Flightline is one of the most sought after volunteer jobs at AirVenture. Jobs include guiding arriving aircraft on the taxiways, escorting and parking airplanes, airshow crowd control, crossing guards and more. Our flightline extends from Airshow Center south to the end of the airport. Jobs are available for all skill levels, and working the line during the airshow gives our volunteers the best seat in the house.
Vintage Flightline Tram Tour
Begun in 1984 and run each convention since then by your hosts Jim and Mary LeFevre, who have overseen the tram tour all these years, this tour is the best way to get a close up view of the wide variety of vintage aircraft parked along our two mile flightline.
Running during convention from Monday through Sunday and lasting approximately 45 minutes, the Vintage Tram Tour takes you through all of the vintage aircraft parked at convention.
What a wonderful experience, and it is provided FREE by Vintage. The Tram Tour leaves from the Red Barn – each day on the hour (or approximately so from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.). Each tour is first come – first served, and holds 16 people. The tour is handicap accessible as well.
Vintage in Review at Interview Circle
11:00 a.m. each weekday morning during AirVenture, in Bill & Myrt Rose Vintage Park near the Vintage Red Barn and Hangar, at the Interview Circle, Ray Johnson conducts interviews with vintage aircraft owners, pilots, and aviation personalities. It’s a chance to sit in the grass or on the bleachers, and hear stories of great pilots, mechanics, their families and airplanes.
The Vintage area also is the site of Convention Showplane Camping, where hundreds of EAA members, families, and friends from around the world set up an international community of people sharing their love of aviation.
The Newly Remodeled and Expanded Vintage Red Barn is home to:
The Vintage Hospitality and Information Center, where information regarding VAA and its activities are available.
Red Barn Store, where VAA’s unique custom-made apparel is available for adults and children, along with high quality toys, artwork, souvenirs, and basic camping supplies including those often forgotten items.
Pilot Plaques and Mugs – If you flew in and registered your aircraft, you can also pick up your mug at the Red Barn as well as your VAA AirVenture Aircraft Participant Plaque – free to Vintage members.
History of Vintage and Mini-Museum – Learn more about the history and growth of the Vintage Aircraft Association.
The Vintage Hangar
In the Vintage Hangar you’ll find our Vintage Forums each morning and also the Vintage Metal Shaping Workshop, where volunteers share their skills and knowledge in the restoration and building of vintage aircraft. In the Paul’s Workshop corner you can be a part of forums of various topics to help you learn techniques to keep your vintage airplane maintained. Check our daily schedule in front of the Hangar.
Type Club representatives will be available between 12:00 Noon and 5:00 PM in the Vintage Hangar. VAA hosts representatives of many aircraft type clubs. They can answer questions about specific vintage aircraft types such as Aeronca, Bellanca, Piper, Cessna, Navion, Waco, and many others. Visit with the experts Monday through Friday of AirVenture between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
See a full list of our affiliated Type Clubs here
The Vintage Membership and Chapter Information Booth conveniently located just inside the entry archway. VAA and EAA memberships are available along with information about VAA Chapters.
Behind the Vintage Hangar
Charlie’s Park and Ron’s Porch are located behind the Vintage Hangar in remembrance of two VAA Directors that have “Gone West”.
Friends of the Red Barn
The financial support for the various Vintage AirVenture OSHKOSH programs is underwritten by the generosity of member donations through the Vintage’s annual Friends of the Red Barn program.
Learn more about the Friends of the Red Barn and how you can help