WisDOT Celebrates Aircraft Innovation, History During Aviation Week in Wisconsin
Women in aviation and history of aircraft to be highlighted at the 2026 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh
OSHKOSH, WI—Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed July 20-26, 2026, as Aviation Week in Wisconsin in recognition of the world’s largest air show and aviation celebration. This will be the 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture that takes place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is pleased to help highlight women in aviation and look back at aviation history with the ‘Vintage in Review’ showcase which features unique and iconic aircraft that were built and flown during the first half-century of aviation.
2025 was another record-breaking year for EAA AirVenture with over 700,000 people in attendance and more than 10,000 aircraft arrivals at Wittman Regional Airport and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. There was also a record number of commercial exhibitors (962) and attendees flew in from 94 countries. The event brought in $257 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet and Brown).
“We are thrilled to welcome aviation enthusiasts from across the globe to our great state for another EAA AirVenture week,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Some of our very own employees within our Bureau of Aeronautics (BOA) are at the forefront of innovation, safety and technological advances in Wisconsin’s airspace. We’re excited to celebrate the rich history of aviation and highlight how our state safely connects passengers to destinations, goods to markets and supports local and global economies.”
Attendees are encouraged to visit WisDOT’s BOA in Exhibit Hangar A in booths 1125 and 1126 as well as in the WisDOT Weather & Information Tent in front of the Air Traffic Control Tower during EAA AirVenture week to learn more about the Wisconsin airport system and the various aviation programs that are offered across the state.
Some highlights of the bureau include:
- The Aviation Careers Education (ACE) program promotes aviation, and space education, and provides students experiences in aviation related jobs. Because of the partnership between industry, schools, and government, WisDOT’s BOA can promote aviation/space education, including career opportunities, as well as assist employers in developing the next generation of skilled workers in aviation.
- Additionally, the Fly Wisconsin Airport Passport program promotes safety and education by encouraging recreational flight to all of Wisconsin’s public use airports. It also supports general aviation airports, area businesses and tourism. This is a collaborative program of WisDOT BOA and the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA).
- The latest edition of Wisconsin’s Aeronautical Chart includes tourism activities at Wisconsin airports, aviation events, aviation education, safety tips and other lines of business provided by WisDOT’s BOA. The chart remains a popular item to distribute at aviation events such as BOA’s Airport Operations and Land Use Seminar and the annual EAA AirVenture event. Visit WisDOT’s Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart website to view the online archive or order the current chart.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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