At Oshkosh, even the taxiway become a runway during the world’s largest gathering of aircraft.
During the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event, aviation enthusiasts flock to Wisconsin in what becomes the world’s largest gathering of aircraft — and in an extraordinary feat of logistics, even the taxiways at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) are converted into temporary runways.
Each summer, for one intense week, Wittman Field handles more than 10,000 aircraft movements — surpassing major international hubs like Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield. To make this possible, the airport undergoes a dramatic transformation, including turning Taxiway Alpha into an active runway, known temporarily as Runway 18L/36R.
From Taxiway to Runway
Taxiway Alpha, which normally guides aircraft to and from the main runway, is temporarily upgraded to meet FAA safety standards for takeoffs and landings. This is not a casual adjustment — the surface is inspected, markings are added or refreshed, and controllers are trained specifically for AirVenture’s unique air traffic procedures.
The main paved runway, 18/36, is also re-designated during the show as Runway 18R/36L, while a third grass runway is used for ultralight and vintage aircraft, often referred to as Runway 18/36 Grass. Together, these parallel operations allow multiple aircraft to land or depart simultaneously, often on different colored “dots” painted on the same strip of pavement — a signature feature of Oshkosh arrivals.
Precision in the Chaos
To an outsider, the skies over Oshkosh during AirVenture may look chaotic — planes converging from all directions, sometimes landing two or three at a time on the same runway. But it’s all choreographed with stunning precision.
The FAA assigns a dedicated team of controllers — often considered the best in the business — who staff temporary control towers and radio facilities set up just for the event. Pilots flying in must follow the specially issued NOTAM, which details arrival procedures including “no radio” segments, speed restrictions, and visual checkpoints like the town of Ripon and Fisk Avenue.
A Temporary Aviation Metropolis
This annual transformation turns Wittman Field into a full-blown aerial metropolis. In 2023, the FAA reported over 21,000 aircraft operations during the week, averaging about 121 takeoffs or landings per hour — or one every 30 seconds.
Oshkosh is more than an airshow — it’s a celebration of aviation that draws pilots and aircraft from every corner of the world. Turning a modest regional airport into the busiest in the world, even briefly, is a testament to both the flexibility of aviation infrastructure and the passion of the flying community.
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