FAA Activates 2026 Oshkosh Flight Procedures for EAA AirVenture Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented its special flight procedures for the 2026 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event, now officially active through noon CDT on July 27. These comprehensive guidelines cover operations at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) and a number of surrounding airports to manage the massive influx of air traffic during the event.

Pilots arriving for Oshkosh will primarily utilize the Fisk arrival route for visual flight rules (VFR) operations. Air traffic control assigns transition points in advance, directing aircraft toward Ripon, then following the railroad tracks to the Fisk intersection. Pilots are instructed to obtain the Arrival Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) frequency 125.9 no later than 60 miles from Oshkosh, then switch to Fisk Approach on 120.7 for further guidance.

The recommended arrival profile suggests maintaining 90 knots at 1,800 feet mean sea level (MSL) for most aircraft. However, faster airplanes can operate at 135 knots at 2,300 feet MSL when necessary for safety. Pilots must keep a minimum of half a mile separation from similar traffic to prevent overtaking and avoid complex maneuvers such as side-by-side flying or S-turns, which could disrupt flow or increase collision risk.

At the Fisk waypoint, controllers assign aircraft their landing runway, the specific route into the airport, and tower frequency. The procedures allow controllers to direct pilots to execute short approaches or target a designated landing spot marked on the runway. The notice strongly advises all pilots to maintain safe airspeeds and to execute go-arounds in any situation where the approach trajectory appears unsafe or unstable.

Operational restrictions include nightly closures of Wittman Regional Airport for arrivals from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and for departures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Additional closures coincide with airshow segments, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and other special events within the AirVenture schedule. Pilots flying instrument flight rules (IFR) must secure reservations during specified periods, and fly distinct procedures apply to turbine and warbird aircraft, seaplanes, helicopters, ultralights, rotorcraft, and vintage aircraft operating without radios after approval.

For those turned away or diverted due to full parking or airport closures, FAA recommends alternative airports such as Fond du Lac, Appleton, and Green Bay. Pilots are reminded to carry sufficient fuel reserves accounting for potential holding patterns, go-arounds, and alternate airport diversions.

The 32-page FAA notice serves as the controlling document for all applicable routes, frequencies, altitudes, and contingency procedures. It is crucial that pilots read the entire document thoroughly, carry the official notice onboard, and regularly check for updates to NOTAMs, TFRs, and ATIS information during the event period.

These stringent procedures reflect the huge scale and complexity of safely managing the concentrated aircraft operations around Oshkosh during what is considered the largest annual gathering of general aviation aircraft in the world. By adhering to this guidance, the FAA aims to minimize delays, maintain orderly flow, and enhance flight safety throughout the AirVenture 2026 event.