The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will host its annual AirVenture event at its home base of Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 21 to 27. During the last full week of every July, Oshkosh becomes a lodestone for aviators around the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilots, engineers, industry leaders and enthusiasts from across the globe.
The event has consistently drawn over half of a million attendees for years. The grounds and skies over Oshkosh are filled with every conceivable type of aircraft, including vintage warbirds and iconic airliners to cutting-edge experimental “homebuilts” and the latest in military and commercial jet technology.
Purdue’s presence at AirVenture
While the airshow itself is the main draw, in truth it is also a massive convention, a fly-in for thousands of people and an educational forum rolled into one. Thus, for Purdue Polytechnic’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT), EAA AirVenture is a critical venue for learning, recruitment and engagement. SATT will be present among what are likely to be around 1,000 exhibitors from all different aspects of the aviation world; their booth numbers will be 61 and 62.
Here, students can network directly with recruiters from major airlines, corporate flight departments, and leading aerospace companies, which can lead to internships and full-time job offers. It is also a major gathering point for Purdue's extensive network of aviation alumni to connect with current students and share career advice about where a Purdue SATT degree can take them.
Industry connection
AirVenture’s sheer size and ability to pool resources makes it the must-attend event for companies in every niche of the aviation industry. In addition to simply making a robust showing at the event, AirVenture serves as a platform for top manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus and Textron (alongside avionics giants like Garmin) to unveil new products and technologies directly to their most passionate end-users and partners.
It is also a critical venue for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other regulatory bodies to engage with the aviation community. The event features hundreds of forums, workshops, and seminars covering topics from aircraft maintenance and pilot safety to the future of sustainable aviation fuels.
Join Purdue Polytechnic at AirVenture 2025
For those interested in attending AirVenture 2025 (from July 21 to 27), tickets can be bought through EAA; members of the organization save money on ticket costs for daily and all-week attendance. Attendees can either purchase parking or can purchase a spot at the adjacent Camp Scholler that can accommodate tents and vehicles of all sizes up to large RVs, with some spots offering water and electricity.