EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - July 26, 2008 - A steady stream of campers and recreational vehicles … mass arrivals of Bonanzas, Cessnas, Mooneys, amateur-built aircraft, and military Warbirds … finishing touches being made to a full city’s worth of tents, buildings, performance stages, and exhibits on the grounds — these are sure signs that the official kickoff of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 is less than two days away. According to Poberezny, the lineup for this year’s annual convention of EAA members, dubbed "The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration," is very promising.

"We’re serving up one of our best collections of attractions ever," Poberezny said. "Innovation is a dominant theme every year, but this year it’s even more brightly highlighted. Where else but at AirVenture can you see a guy flying around with a jetpack; rocket-racing planes; electric aircraft; the latest on space tourism; the world’s most unorthodox cargo hauler, the gargantuan Boeing Dreamlifter; amazing new aircraft technologies; cutting-edge aviation products; the world’s most sophisticated military aircraft; and astoundingly well crafted amateur-built and restored aircraft?" he said.

"When you add to these innovative attractions the opportunity to experience the opening-night concert by Foreigner, presentations by Harrison Ford and John Travolta, the comedy of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, and a concert performance by Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band, AirVenture’s value as a vacation destination is unparalelled," Poberezny added.

Here are some highlights of the weeklong event:

SATURDAY, JULY 26
Bonanzas to Oshkosh mass arrival, 1 p.m.
Cessnas to Oshkosh mass arrival, 2:30 p.m.
Mooney aircraft mass arrival, 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 27
Comanche aircraft mass arrival, 11:30 a.m.
RV aircraft mass arrival, 1:30 p.m.
AirVenture Cup racers arrival, 3:30 p.m.
Fly-In Theater opening night, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 28 - OPENING DAY
House Aviation Subcommittee forum discussion, Forum Pavilion 6,11:30 a.m.
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
Boeing Dreamlifter arrival, 5 p.m.
Foreigner opening-night concert, 5:30 p.m.
Theater in the Woods: Rocket Racing League, Women in Aviation programs.

TUESDAY, JULY 29
Martin Jetpack debut flights, 9:30 a.m.
NASA "Meet The Administrator" session, Forum Pavilion 6, 11:30 a.m.
Rocket Racing League flight demo, 2:30 p.m.
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
Goodyear blimp arrives
Boeing Dreamlifter departs, 6 p.m.
Theater in the Woods: Vietnam War MISTY pilots, Virgin Galactic programs.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
NASA 50th anniversary program, Theater in the Woods, 7:55 p.m.
Harrison Ford introduces Fly-In Theater movie, 8:30 p.m.
Comedian Jeff Dunham performs at Theater in the Woods, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 31
F-22 Raptor arrives
30,000th homebuilt aircraft recognized, AeroShell Square, 9:30 a.m.
Ford Model T Experience, Pioneer Airport, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
FAA "Meet The Administrator" session, Forum Pavilion 7, 11:30 a.m.
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
Gathering of Eagles fundraiser, AirVenture Museum.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Women Aviators group photo, AeroShell Square, 10:30 a.m.
International Visitors Parade, 12:30 p.m.
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
Warbirds air show spectacular
Gary Sinise’s "Lt. Dan Band" plays at Theater in the Woods, 8 p.m.
John Travolta introduces Fly-In Theater movie, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 2
EAA Runway 5k run, 7 a.m.
Air show begins, 3:30 p.m.
Warbirds air show spectacular
Theater in the Woods: Doolittle Raiders, NASA 50th anniversary programs.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 - CLOSING DAY
Memorial Wall ceremony, 11 a.m.
Air show begins, 2 p.m.
EAA Aircraft Sweepstakes, Young Eagles Raffle drawings
AirVenture 2008 ends, 5 p.m.

Source: Experimental Aircraft Association - Aviation Center (EAA)
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