Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI
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Wittman Regional Airport (IATA: OSH, ICAO: KOSH, FAA LID: OSH) is a towered, general aviation, public airport located 2 nautical miles south of downtown Oshkosh, WI. This field is owned by Winnebago County, Wisconsin. There is a private airport located on the northwest edge of Wittman called Pioneer Airport (FAA LID: WS17). This airport is part of the EAA Aviation Museum and houses some of the oldest aircraft the museum owns. The grass strip runway for Pioneer Airport is closed to all but helicopters during EAA AirVenture.
There are four permanent runways at Wittman Field as well as two temporary runways used during EAA AirVenture. There is also a seaplane base 5 miles south with 96WI used as the identifier. Please note: Special flight procedures are required during EAA AirVenture. Check https://www.eaa.org for specifics.
| Direction | Length ft. | Length meters | Surface |
| 18/36 referred to as 18R/36L for EAA AirVenture) | 8,002 x 150 | 2,439 x 46 | Concrete |
| 9/27 | 6,179 x 150 | 1,883 x 46 | Concrete |
| 5/23 | 3,424 x 75 | 1,044 x 23 | Asphalt |
| 13/31 | 3,061 x 75 | 933 x 23 | Asphalt |
| 18L/36R temporary (AirVenture) | 6,300 | 1,920 | Concrete |
| 15/33 temporary (AirVenture) | 1,200 | 366 | Turf |
Basler Flight Service (920-236-7827) is a full-service FBO located due west of the main terminal on the north side of the field. Stop inside the beautiful terminal with any questions you might have. The staff there was extremely nice and very knowledgeable about the field and its amenities. The terminal has a pilot lounge and conference room, restrooms, coffee, snacks, and office machines for convenience. Basler offers ramp customers free shuttle service to the EAA Museum. Airplane aficionados should not miss it! Both AVGas and Jet fuels are available here 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. M-F and 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sat-Sun. Self-serve is available 24/7. I also saw a MoGas truck, but that was during AirVenture, and no one has it listed as available on the field. There is a $50.00 after-hours service fee as of AirVenture 2024.
There are both major airframe and major powerplant services offered here. The parking options are hangers or tie-downs. Also, there are three flight schools here as follows: Fox Valley Technical School, Aviation Services, and Discover Flight. A cargo service, Freight Runners Express, operates here too.
Transportation
Crew cars are available as well as local taxi services. Call A Cab, or Cabulance Inc., or City Cab are your choices, with Call A Cab (920) 350-8886 being rated the best of the three. Uber is also available. A public transit (bus) service to the airport is provided by GO Transit.
During EAA AirVenture, there is an Enterprise Rental Car located inside the terminal just off to your right if you enter the front door of the terminal. However, at any other time of year, both Enterprise and Hertz are located in town. Basler Flight Service can help you out with reservations.
As for transportation to the field, if you are camping for EAA AirVenture, visit Spencer Aircraft across from the Vintage Barn for an E-bike. Grab a bike lock or camping supplies from Amazon.com.
Where to Eat
Closest to the airport with rave reviews for their fried cheese curds is Friar Tuck’s. The Hanger Bar and Grill is also nearby.
The absolute best food I had for AirVenture ’24 was at the Mineshaft. We attended the Zenith dinner there, and it was marvelous, down-home, simple food prepared well! Cool looking place too. You can walk there from the field, but it’s a hike, especially when it’s hot.
The next cool place was Chester V’s. The food was decent and the view from the outside tables lets you watch departures and arrivals from the field above the tree line.
Also liked Pete’s Garage Bar just for the atmosphere and the impressive common-sense rules. Sarcasm at its finest! Definitely a neighborhood hangout. The fried mushrooms were great!
Looking for something a little more upscale? Try the Roxy Supper Club downtown. Make reservations, the line can be long. You could also have a special evening at Beckets down by the Fox River.
You can’t beat the AirVenture favorites, Fox River Brewing Co., or the Dockside Tavern, where there is almost always live music during AirVenture. Dockside is a little hard to find the first time; you might think you made a wrong turn. The view of the river is great from both places, and airplane stories abound.
Where to Stay
The Hilton Garden Inn is at the north end of the field, right next to The Hanger Bar and Grill. Across the street from that is the Quality Inn. Tucked in beside Friar Tuck’s is a Super 8 by Wyndham. A little farther out is the Comfort Suites or the La Quinta Inn.
If you’re looking for a room with a view, the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center overlooks the Fox River if you get a room on the right side. Travelocity.com or Expedia.com can help you compare amenities and prices.
During EAA AirVenture, it is sometimes easier and less expensive to rent a house and share with family and friends. VRBO.com can help with that. We share with friends from Florida that we only get to see at Oshkosh.
Things To Do!
Besides EAA AirVenture, which you can’t see all of in a week, there are other worthwhile sights here. We’ll get to that in a minute. As far as attractions at the greatest general aviation celebration in the world, here are my top five:
- Boeing Plaza: There is always something massive here, a B-52, C-17, NASA’s Super Guppy, etc… something that makes you feel small and yet somehow lets you know you are a part of something huge. The Women in Aviation get together en masse here every year for a group photo. It’s amazing!
- The Seaplane Base: Take the bus; there’s no place to park. Take a little cash for the young entrepreneurs who sell lemonade at the exit. It’s a beautiful little respite from the heat and noise with a little hippie camping vibe going on. A short little path through the trees, and you’ve reached water. Jump in if the heat is getting to you.
- The Vintage area: You will see some of the most gorgeous airplanes you have ever seen. Lovingly restored, cared for, and on display for your viewing pleasure. Plus, you can shop at he little Vintage Barn or eat in the Vintage Cafe. It’s also a great place to watch the night airshows.
- Warbirds: I mean, who doesn’t think they’re cool? All the period dress, vehicles, and camp gear just fascinate me.
- EAA Museum: More history than I could ever stuff into my brain, but a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Buses run back and forth from the bus park every day during EAA AirVenture.
Other than a whole lot of airplanes, Oshkosh also has golf courses, boating, fishing, beautiful parks, and is home to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Also, there’s the cheese! You haven’t seen a cheese shop until you’ve visited one in Wisconsin. The Union Star Cheese Factory in nearby Fremont, Simon’s Cheese Shop in Appleton, or Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese in Hennings are all worth the trip. Bring a cooler and stock up!
In Conclusion
There is no better place in the world for a general aviation fan to spend some time! The EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh is an adventure for my family every year. Join us, you won’t regret it!
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Safe flight and smooth landings,
jo@jettreks