Among the attractions at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh show (July 20 to 26) is a drone cage where visitors can learn about small unmanned aircraft, see them in action and even try some out. Earlier this year I wrote a blog criticizing the caging of the drones because while it’s fun to fly these devices, it’s more fun to be able to use their cameras to shoot photos and video of scenery more interesting than other caged drones.
The EAA just announced, however, that it received authorization from the FAA to open an area at Pioneer Airport on the EAA grounds at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport for drone and radio-control model flying. The RC model/drone flying area covers the south half of Pioneer Airport’s grass runway and will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. July 20 to 25. Visitors can watch others fly their models and drones or bring their own to fly. The flight area is restricted to RC models/drones weighing five pounds or less, and pilots must keep their craft with the prescribed pilot stations, according to the EAA. “Operations on any other part of EAA or Wittman Regional Airport property are prohibited.” Pilots also must be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), which is providing a safety officer on site as well. (These restrictions don’t apply to the drone cage.)
Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.
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