Just got Jack Pelton's e-mail here at home
https://eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publica...PH3XFOuOMAGh1s
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Just got Jack Pelton's e-mail here at home
https://eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publica...PH3XFOuOMAGh1s
Sad but the right call. Glad they made the call this early.
I guess in a state where cops come to your home to threaten you when your kids play with your neighbor’s kids, it would be pretty tough to hold an event like this. As Jack pointed out, it’s not just a July event; activity would have begun now.
We must never forget who prevented containing the virus at the origin, and all the worldwide damage they caused.
I’ll just edit to avoid thread clutter to address the comment below.
I was pointing out how Wisconsin has extreme lockdown rules that could get people arrested for benign activities, so the Convention would be impossible to hold. Also, I don’t see why it’s controversial to criticize the Communists who started this.
No doubt its a bummer for all that wanted to attend, but the sheer size of the liability that the EAA would have to deal with, at least common sense from the powers that be, decided to not venture down that path. Its not the end of the world for the city of Oshkosh and its not the end of the world for the EAA and all of the money they have invested in the infrastructure of Wittman Field. Both factions will survive and hopefully " OSHKOSH 2021 " will happen next year, but for now, the picture says it all.
Attachment 8395
I don't know if gatherings in 2021 can be predicted with certainty.
My motel was as gracious as could be expected, and my reservation for 2021 has been confirmed.
What a stupid call....so much for the fighting spirit!!!
How long before we start getting contacted about donating money because their cash cow was cancelled?
Hold the event or cancel it has ALWAYS been a "No Good Deed goes Unpunished" and a "Darned if ya' do and Darned if ya' don't" situation.
When the opinion of half the passengers on the bus says turn right at the crossroads, and the other half wants left? I reckon it's up to the bus driver to cast the only vote that counts?
Wasn't really their call. Wisconsin just experienced a 4% uptick in infections. The governor is holding fast to his May26th lock down mandate. EAA was faced with the decision of whether to start seriously investing into the show. Getting to a Phase III release just wasn’t in the cards for EAA. The financials committed to 2020 can be rolled over to 2021.
My conclusion is, like in any good flight planning, don’t take the risk. Therefore, I have no choice but to cancel AirVenture 2020.
Jack J. Pelton
It is refreshing to see that the ship has a rudder.
Because of our dedicated and enthusiastic EAA members, our Association is strong.
Jack J. Pelton
EAA has plenty resources in the bank to weather the storm to cancel more than just one convention.
It's a decision that I'm very glad I didn't have to make. Would have caught flak either way.
Ron Wanttaja
Exactly the right decision. Thank you Jack and the board in coming to the right conclusion on this. Of course we adore Airventure! But it's not worth losing lives over. Good call.
Yes, refreshing!
I can't decide, is this Biden's, Trump's or Bernie Sander's fault? - or one of the Kardashians'? - LOL
The EAA certainly could not survive the thousands of lawsuits brought against it by attendees who would try to claim they caught the virus while attending Airventure. Yes, it's already happening to restaurant owners around the country and many will go out of business fighting something that can not be proven true or false.
Not sure what issue you are taking, as I was in no way disputing the decision made. Just disputing the attitude that new fundraising requests may be on the way from EAA is somehow a bad thing given the majority of their day to day operational budget comes from AirVenture.
Sorry, didn't want it to sound that way, my mistake. I'm in full agreement with the decision also. I did get a letter about two weeks ago from EAA for donations for new bricks by the Brown Arch; they may have been testing the waters. Our EAA chapter has hosted the largest Cub Fly-in outside of Sentimental Journey; we announced today we will be also canceling that event. Simple facts are we are also going to be hurting for funds over the next year and will have to look for other avenues, including donations. Unprecedented times will call for creative methods to keep some of the things we feel are important afloat for the next year or so. I think Airventure 2020 T'Shirts might be a way to get a few funds; just an idea.
Marty57
We all knew it was coming. I'm glad that the decision is at least made.
Now planning on an upper mid-west "Adventure Fly About". Tent and camping gear ready. Sectional ready. Airport/Facility Directory - check. Face covering - packed. Plan to flitter about airports along the way, and in the Oshkosh area, camping where my horse (oops, I mean airplane) decides it's time to rest. All the while following guidelines and maintaining appropriate "camping distance". Got a lot of lemons, and now time to make some lemonade...
Take care, Wayne
Had exactly the same idea. I plan on showing up in my 2020 AV tee shirt for a selfie at the main gate. So if we stay in groups of 10 or less and 6 ft apart we’re good to go??? ;)After all the right to assemble is guaranteed in the Bill Of Rights which no governor can usurp.
Good call Jack Pelton and EAA Board. I have been attending for over 30 years, see you all next year.. BE SAFE..
Since EAA really relies on AV for a good chunk of its annual budget, I wonder if they can arrange some kind of one-off event when this is all over? Winterventure 2020? Or a series of one day or weekend long fly-ins around the nation. Airventure-on-Tour 2020.
If not I fear they work from the Kitplanes method of fundraising and send me a weekly letter asking me extend my subscription even though I have 37 months to go. (Seriously, WTF Kitplanes, just stop!)
I noted Jack Pelton saying, "I have no choice but to cancel..." Personal responsibility. Not the board, not some organization. His decision. Good for him. That is leadership.
Wow, four percent, of what! Sounds as if they have a Demoncrat for a governor! Poor Oshkosh business people are going to take a real hit.
I suggest that perhaps WHEN they sound the "All Clear", presuming proper health safety can be observed, a nice Summer road trip to visit the EAA Museum and Pioneer Airport might be in order. Maybe stay overnight, buy some local meals? That sort of thing. I DID go online this afternoon to the EAA store and ordered an AirVenture 2020 hat and T-shirt as a tiny token of financial support.... as a nice commemorative..... since it sure doesn't look like I'll be getting my normal 2020 Volunteer shirt from Tram Operations.;)
I did the same. Some stuff I knew I was likely to pick up anyhow. I usually hit the Hobbytown store while I'm in town, I'll probably make an order there too. It's not my local hobby shop, but it is A local hobby shop. https://www.hobbytown.com/oshkosh-wi/l69
Bought some stuff on the online store
Last part of summer or early fall, ( if its halfway safe) will fly up to Oshkosh and volunteer to mow, fix roads in camping area and repair signs
Anything else that steve might need me to do,
Just because they cancelled air venture, that does not mean that nothing needs to be done.
May not have a airshow--but damn it--its still going to be my 27th straight year to go to Oshkosh:cool:
EAA Chairman of the Board & CEO Jack Pelton and AOPA President & CEO Mark Baker talk about the decision to cancel EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020, the FAA's Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) and more on a recent edition of AOPA Pilot Lounge that was released on May 4, 2020. https://youtu.be/zEo09gUCuf4
A good source informed me that the leadership has a fund in place to cover the revenue loss and cancellation of Airventure for one year. Aviation people are darn intelligent as a general rule. I am looking forward to Airventure 2021 !!!
I don’t have a source, but I did note that in one of his comments on cancellation, Jack said it would be a big blow to the bottom line, but would be manageable. That led me to believe they had decent plans in place.
I want to thank Jack for the call. Being in my golden years I needed to decide wether to risk attending or not. Have been going for so many years it would have been a difficult decision. I know Airventure is the money maker for EAA so I just donated $100 which I figure is the profit from my weekly pass. As Paul put it, as a member I am a owner and I hope for better and safer event next year.
Hi All-
Just a thought- while the cancellation will certainly represent a huge blow to EAA income, there won't be the usual expenditures, either. And as bad as it might be for EAA, our event is the biggest thing that happens in the entire state and surely for the locals. I like the idea of hitting the museum and spending some cash locally. Not to mention the part about making my needing to keep the unbroken string unbroken!