Aviation fans thankful to be back on EAA AirVenture grounds

OSHKOSH (WLUK) -- The buzz of aircrafts above Oshkosh is back in 2021.

“People are excited, they are enthusiastic, they are pumped up," said Dick Knapinski is the spokesperson for EAA, "The theme for this year is the wait is over, and we’ve waited a whole year to do this so last year was unfortunate, it was the right decision as it turns out.”

Hundreds of thousands of people looked up at the sky to enjoy the afternoon airshow on Monday.

Flying in the air was Mark Gannucci, left wingman for the Geico Skytypers Air Show team.

The Gieco Skytypers simultaneously wrote messages in the sky at 2,000 feet.

“The reaction today when we drove down the line and waving was really phenomenal it was something we haven't seen," said Gannucci.

Gannucci says it's rewarding to show the older and younger generations World War II aviation skills.

“Every pilot I know, and I know a lot of pilots want to come here, this is the show they want to do, this is the place they want to camp and enjoy, the greatest celebration of aviation," said Gannucci.

“Yeah I would say this is the happiest place on earth for pilots," said Jim Perkins who is part of “Cessna's to Oshkosh” a mass arrival group from around the nation which landed 115 Cessna aircrafts to camp at AirVenture.

“This is an annual thing, we organize it," said Perkins.

In the group, Jim Gannde came from Los Angeles.

“You can tell by the amount of people and the attendance this year that everybody is ready to have that covid over and be back and enjoy life again here in Oshkosh!” said Gannde.

The members of Cessna's to Oshkosh say AirVenture never disappoints, and this year is starting out as the best yet.

New this year, AirVenture entry is free to kids 18-years-old and younger.