The USAF Thunderbirds performing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. Photo by Jim Koepnick
Key Takeaways:
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 was designated the "Year of the Fighter," featuring prominent displays by aircraft like the F-22 and the USAF Thunderbirds.
The event showcased a diverse range of aviation experiences, from aerobatic performances by figures like Sean D. Tucker to historic warbirds and ultralights.
Highlights included unique spectacles such as a "Ball of Fire" pyrotechnic display and a Night Airshow, alongside appearances by civilian space flyers like Mike Melville.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 was the year of the fighter, and airshow goers were lucky to see so many perform including the world’s best fighter jet, the F-22, the USAF Thunderbirds, and more!
Enjoy these photos of the fighters in the air from Jim Koepnick, and a few bonus shots from our own Isabel Goyer.
A USAF C-5 Galaxy departs from Oshkosh for home, freeing up a good deal of ramp space at the Boeing Plaza. Photo by Jim KoepnickAirVenture 2019 was the year of the fighter, and airshow goers were lucky enough to see the worldâs best fighter jet perform more at one event than it has at any other ever. The things it can do defy the laws of aerodynamics and physics as we understand them. Photo by Jim KoepnickA big-tired taildragger departs from OSH late in the day. Photo by Jim KoepnickAnd this is why we give young folks rides in planes. The pilot of an M-Squared Breese 2 departs the ultralight strip at OSH with a most appreciative passenger. Photo by Jim KoepnickThere are astronauts among us! Civilian space flyer Mike Melville poses for Jim Koepnick in front of SpaceShipOne. Photo by Jim KoepnickIâll be honest. Nobody thought Sean D. Tucker was really going to retire, and weâre all lucky that heâs still flying! 0L. Photo by Jim KoepnickHere is Sean Tucker in formation in his biplane as one-half of Team Oracle along with the amazing Jessy Panzer in the Oracle Extra 300L. Photo by Jim KoepnickItâs the Year of the Fighter at AirVenture, so guess who dropped by for an impromptu fly-by. The USAF Thunderbirds! Is there any better place in the world for airplane nuts? (rhetorical question: thereâs not!). Photo by Jim KoepnickA gaggle of North American AT-6s flying by and the Sun ducking briefly behind a cloud, one of the few weâve seen this week at AirVenture. Photo by Jim KoepnickThis integrated avionics suiteâha!âon this electroLite electric powered ultralight is one of the best things I saw all week.At its exhibit Wipaire had on display this amazing Cessna Airmaster, the mostly tube and rag predecessor of the much more modern and successful Cessna 195. The Airmaster is regarded by many as being one of the most beautiful airplanes ever. Iâm one of those people. Photo by Isabel GoyerThis is the fabled âBall of Fire.â It was a huge mushroom shaped cloud with fireworks going off inside it. It was so intense around us we heard dozens of people exclaiming in a way that you only do when you just got your socks knocked off. The heat wave was so intense it traveled outward from the explosion. Photo by Isabel GoyerThis is how you move a taildragger from place to place. Okay, not a DC-3, but for this Christen Eagle, itâs the perfect technique.Spectators at the Night Airshow on Wednesday lift their phones to photograph the spectacular simultaneous display of flying and pyrotechnics. Photo by Isabel Goyer
