AirVenture 2013 opened under a banner of resilience. In his remarks that year, the EAA President framed the show as a triumph over adversity, acknowledging the financial pressures, regulatory challenges, and organisational headwinds that had shaped the months leading up to Oshkosh. Yet the event that unfolded on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport demonstrated the opposite of contraction: strong attendance, a revitalised programme, and a community determined to keep the world’s largest aviation gathering moving forward.
The flightline reflected this spirit. Warbirds, homebuilts, and vintage aircraft arrived in force, joined by a growing contingent of modern composite designs and advanced avionics platforms that were reshaping general aviation. The daily schedule leaned into heritage and innovation in equal measure, with large‑scale formations, precision aerobatics, and manufacturer showcases that highlighted both the history and the future of flight.
Across the grounds, AirVenture 2013 carried the unmistakable energy of a community refusing to be defined by its challenges. From the seaplane base to Pioneer Airport, the show reaffirmed Oshkosh’s identity as aviation’s annual meeting place — a gathering built not on ease, but on the shared determination to overcome obstacles and keep the spirit of flight alive.
The Pitcairn Aviation and Ryan Flying Co. hangars at Pioneer Airport, viewed from the air during AirVenture 2013. Visitors shelter in the open Pitcairn hangar while Bell 47s and another light helicopter stand beside the grass airfield between sightseeing flights. Photographed from Bell 47G N666SM.
A Bell 47G-series helicopter lifts off from the grass at Pioneer Airport as our aircraft lands during AirVenture 2013. Its distinctive bubble canopy, exposed tubular tail boom and two-bladed main rotor make the classic light helicopter instantly recognisable.
Viewed from the EAA Ford Trimotor on its approach to Pioneer Airport, a Bell 47G-series helicopter lifts off from the grass as we come in to land during AirVenture 2013. Another Bell 47 and an Enstrom helicopter stand beside the strip, with the Bell’s shadow sharply outlined below.
Enhanced caption: A Bell 47G climbs away from the grass runway at Pioneer Airport as we come in to land during AirVenture 2013. Its distinctive bubble cockpit, exposed tubular framework and saddle fuel tanks are clearly visible.
Bell 47G-2 N2488B passes close overhead while carrying two passengers on a sightseeing flight from Pioneer Airport during AirVenture 2013
EAA’s Bell 47G-2 N2490B sits on the grass at Pioneer Airport with its rotor turning as a ground crewman assists during passenger sightseeing operations at AirVenture 2013. The open framework exposes the vertically mounted Lycoming engine and transmission, while the twin saddle tanks flank the familiar bubble cockpit.
EAA Bell 47G-2 N2490B approaches Pioneer Airport to land with two passengers aboard following a sightseeing flight during AirVenture 2013. One passenger holds the edge of the open bubble cockpit as the distinctive helicopter descends towards the grass.
AirVenture institution and legend Jerry Slegers entertains visitors with his wonderfully improvised one-man band at Oshkosh in 2013. Playing an accordion linked to keyboards, foot pedals and animated figures, the Sturgeon Bay musician had occupied the same familiar spot for 27 years. Although his sign suggested this might be his final appearance, he continued performing at AirVenture until retiring after the 2015 event.
A Beechcraft A36 Bonanza displayed beside the Rochelle Avionics stand in the exhibition area at AirVenture 2013. The six-seat, retractable-undercarriage touring aircraft is fitted with a three-bladed propeller and was being used to showcase modern avionics installations.
Cessna 182F Skylane N3210U displayed beside the Rochelle Avionics stand at AirVenture 2013. Built in 1963, the four-seat touring aircraft retains the Skylane’s familiar strut-braced high wing and fixed tricycle undercarriage, here fitted with streamlined wheel fairings.
The beautifully restored 1929 Mono-Aircraft Monosport 2 N4799E stands in front of the Vintage Aircraft Association’s Red Barn at AirVenture 2013. This rare Golden Age cabin monoplane received the award for Outstanding Closed-Cockpit Monoplane — Silver Age at that year’s event.
The highly polished Spartan 7W Executive NC17662 displayed in the Vintage aircraft area at AirVenture 2013. Built in March 1940 and powered by a 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine, it was retained by Spartan as a company transport for nearly three decades. The luxurious five-seat Executive was among the fastest and most elegant American private aircraft of its era.
EAA’s Consolidated PT-1/PT-3 Husky N31PT displayed in the Vintage aircraft area at AirVenture 2013. Completed by EAA volunteers in 1998 using surviving original PT-1 wings and tail components, the reconstruction was fitted with a 220-hp Continental radial engine and finished as Army trainer A.S. 26-234. Aircraft of this family bridged the gap between First World War trainers and the later Stearman.
EAA’s 1931 Fairchild KR-21B NC954V displayed at Pioneer Airport during AirVenture 2013, with its two open tandem cockpits protected by a temporary cover. Built by the former Kreider-Reisner company after its acquisition by Fairchild, the KR-21B was a sporting and training biplane powered by a 125-hp Kinner B-5 radial engine.
Two wingsuit flyers descend in formation while trailing smoke during an aerial display at AirVenture 2013. Air entering the fabric cells stiffens the webbed sections between their arms and legs into aerofoil shapes, allowing them to glide and manoeuvre before deploying their parachutes for landing.
A wingsuit flyer banks through a descending turn, the smoke trail clearly tracing the curved flight path during an aerial display at AirVenture 2013. The inflated fabric wings between the arms and legs provide sufficient lift and control for sustained gliding before the parachute is deployed.
A Red Bull Air Force wingsuit flyer descends beneath a fully deployed ram-air parachute after completing the wingsuit display at AirVenture 2013. Smoke continues to stream from the jumper, while the small pilot chute trails behind the Red Bull-branded canopy. This confirms that the flyers in the preceding photographs were members of the Red Bull team.
A Red Bull-sponsored amputee wingsuit flyer descends beneath his parachute after the display at AirVenture 2013. His single remaining leg is clearly visible below the harness. Together, the two remarkable wingsuit jumpers in the display had only one leg between them.
The two remarkable Red Bull wingsuit flyers descend together beneath branded ram-air canopies following their display at AirVenture 2013. Their disabilities are particularly evident in this photograph: one jumper had lost both legs and the other had lost one, leaving the pair with just one leg between them. Their performance demonstrated that even wingsuit flying could be adapted to overcome profound physical disability.
A Red Bull-sponsored amputee wingsuit flyer descends beneath a branded ram-air canopy after the display at AirVenture 2013. Although two lower limbs appear visible, at least one is prosthetic: according to the airshow commentary, the two remarkable jumpers had only one natural leg between them. The pilot chute trails above the canopy.
Two-time Red Bull Air Race World Champion Kirby Chambliss makes a smoke-on pass in his Zivko Edge 540 during the flying display at AirVenture 2013. Designed for unlimited aerobatics and air racing, the lightweight Edge combines a powerful engine with an exceptionally rapid roll rate and high manoeuvrability.
Kirby Chambliss flies away in his smoke-trailing Red Bull Zivko Edge 540 during the aerobatic display at AirVenture 2013. Seen from the rear above the wing of a parked vintage biplane, the aircraft begins a gentle turn as it departs the display line.
Kirby Chambliss initiates a snap roll in his smoke-trailing Red Bull Zivko Edge 540 during AirVenture 2013. The sharply deflected ailerons reveal the strong rolling input as the aerobatic aircraft begins to rotate.
Kirby Chambliss makes a low, smoke-on pass along the AirVenture display line in his Red Bull Zivko Edge 540. Spectators rise from their chairs to watch the aerobatic aircraft sweep past at AirVenture 2013.
Kirby Chambliss banks his smoke-trailing Red Bull Edge 540 through approximately 90 degrees during a low-level pass at AirVenture 2013, watched by spectators gathered among the parked aircraft.
Mike Goulian makes a smoke-on pass in his blue, yellow and silver Extra 330SC during AirVenture 2013. The lightweight, single-seat aircraft was designed for unlimited aerobatics, combining powerful performance with exceptionally rapid control response.
Mike Goulian flies his smoke-trailing Whelen-sponsored Extra 330SC away from the camera during his aerobatic display at AirVenture 2013. Seen from roughly 30 degrees off the tail, the view shows the aircraft’s rear profile and fixed undercarriage.
Seen from directly below, Mike Goulian powers his smoke-trailing Extra 330SC into a near-vertical climb during his AirVenture 2013 display. The unusual viewpoint clearly reveals the aircraft’s broad symmetrical wings, large control surfaces and prominent Whelen sponsorship.
Mike Goulian flies his smoke-trailing Whelen/Goodyear-sponsored Extra 330SC away to the right during his aerobatic display at AirVenture 2013. The rear three-quarter view reveals the aircraft’s underside, fixed undercarriage and broad symmetrical wings.
Mike Goulian makes a low, smoke-on pass in his Extra 330SC during AirVenture 2013. Seen from the front quarter just above the runway, the aircraft’s large symmetrical wing, fixed undercarriage and three-bladed propeller are clearly visible.
Aerobatic pilot Gene Soucy waves to spectators while riding with wing-walker Teresa Stokes in a Ford Mustang GT convertible during the performers’ parade at AirVenture 2013. The pair later appeared together in Soucy’s modified Grumman G-164A Ag-Cat, the “Showcat,” with Stokes performing from the upper wing.
Aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian banks his Extra 330SC during a spirited display at AirVenture 2013, revealing the prominent WHELEN branding beneath its red wings. The single-seat aerobatic monoplane was designed for the precise, high-energy manoeuvres that characterised Goulian’s performances.
Michael Goulian brings his Whelen-sponsored Extra 330SC, N821MG, in to land following his aerobatic display at AirVenture 2013. The main wheels are just touching down while the tail remains raised, with the aircraft’s blue, silver and yellow colour scheme and prominent Goodyear and Whelen sponsorship clearly visible.
The CAF Ghost Squadron performs a Second World War formation flypast at AirVenture 2013, with North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” accompanied by two P-51 Mustangs, a Vought F4U Corsair, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk “Aleutian Tiger”, and a Japanese-marked Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” approaches in a broad formation with four CAF Ghost Squadron fighters during AirVenture 2013. Flanking the twin-engined bomber are two P-51 Mustangs, a Vought F4U Corsair and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk “Aleutian Tiger.”
North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” makes a head-on pass at AirVenture 2013 with its bomb-bay doors open. Its distinctive bat-faced nose markings represent the 499th Bomb Squadron, “Bats Outa Hell,” of the 345th Bomb Group, which operated in the Pacific during the Second World War
“Break, Leader—bandit on your six o’clock!” CAF Ghost Squadron B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” banks sharply away as a Japanese-marked Mitsubishi A6M Zero closes from astern during a mock aerial-combat sequence at AirVenture 2013.
North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream,” instantly recognisable by its bat-faced nose markings, manoeuvres away as a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero follows during the CAF Ghost Squadron’s mock-combat display at AirVenture 2013.
North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” banks sharply as a Japanese-marked Mitsubishi A6M Zero pursues it during the CAF Ghost Squadron’s mock-combat display at AirVenture 2013. The encounter recreates the threat faced by American bomber crews operating over the wartime Pacific.
North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” displays its distinctive 499th Bomb Squadron bat-faced nose artwork and the 345th Bomb Group’s “Air Apaches” tail emblem during a flypast at AirVenture 2013. Its markings commemorate the original “Betty’s Dream,” serial 44-30934, which helped escort Japanese surrender envoys in August 1945.
A Japanese-marked Mitsubishi A6M Zero pursues North American B-25J Mitchell “Betty’s Dream” as the bomber banks away during the CAF Ghost Squadron’s mock-combat display at AirVenture 2013. The Mitchell’s upper wing surfaces, American national insignia and distinctive twin fins are visible as it turns.
A Japanese-marked Mitsubishi A6M Zero banks overhead during the CAF Ghost Squadron’s display at AirVenture 2013. Its pale finish, black engine cowling and prominent red hinomaru markings on the wings and fuselage recreate the appearance of Imperial Japanese Navy fighters in the Pacific theatre.