EAA Oshkosh

‘Fifty’ just happens to be an underlying theme for Bazflyers RTW 2019. It was therefore a given that the 50th EAA Oshkosh, the biggest airshow in the world, should be included on the flight itinerary. 

The annual show routinely attracts over 600,000 visitors. More than 10,000 aircraft representing almost every known make and model typically fly-in and park in organised rows for the occasion. Most of these aircraft have the occupants camping alongside all of which makes for a unique visual spectacle not eclipsed anywhere else in the world. Then, gracing the grounds there are usually some 3,000 gleamingly immaculate show planes.

During the week of each year’s EAA Oshkosh, the airfield (KOSH) control tower assumes the unique status of being the busiest control tower in the world. So busy in fact that the seemingly endless procession of aircraft flying into Oshkosh are individually identified by colour or type, and provided instructions for landing with only a wing-waggle in response. 

Given that no aircraft call-signs are used during an Oshkosh arrival, it would be fair to say ZK-BAZ, having flown 30,000 kilometres from New Zealand, landed at the 50th EAA Oshkosh equally as incognito as every other airplane. However, remaining incognito was not to be an option. The Bazflyer’s presence was uncovered and scarcely before the instrument gyros ceased turning, Comanche ZK-BAZ had been relocated for prominent display at EAA Vintage, and entered for judging. 

At each EAA Oshkosh hundreds of aircraft are entered into the competition for highly sought-after Lindy Awards. Named after aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, the Lindy Awards acknowledge the tireless effort necessary to create an aircraft that's truly the "best of the best."  According to EAA, “Lindy Award judging takes into account not only how an aircraft looks, but also how carefully they are built, restored, and/or maintained by owners who take great pride in them.” 

At EAA Oshkosh only the best of the best can win an award and with so many beautiful aircraft in the pool for judging ZK-BAZ’s inclusion was motivated more from a spirit of participation than expectation. After all, the airplane was in undisguised ‘round the world configuration’ and definitely not manicured for show. Its a practical working airplane that had flown further than any other aircraft to be at the 50th EAA Oshkosh. 

The Bazflyers had already departed Oshkosh, resuming their round the world flight, when the 50th EAA awards were announced. Wow…what an amazing surprise it was, three days out of Oshkosh, to be informed that ZK-BAZ had won a Bronze Lindy…! Unbelievable.

ZK-BAZ on display at the 50th EAA Oshkosh 

EAA Venture Women wearing purple for a photograph on Boeing Plaza and Bazflyer2 was among them.

So many beautiful aircraft 

Just another media interview

Air to air photo session prior to departing the Oshkosh area.

The unbelievable “Lindy Award” as it was announced at the EAA awards dinner