EAA Rolls Out Warbird Arrival Procedures for AirVenture 2026

Specialized Arrival Procedures for Historic Aircraft

Organizers for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 have launched pre-registration and specialized arrival protocols for historic military aircraft — commonly known as warbirds. Warbirds of America has opened a dedicated pre-registration portal to coordinate the arrival and parking of these vintage assets, according to official event documentation.

Due to the complexity of the Oshkosh arrival environment, warbirds and high-performance turbine aircraft follow distinct routing that bypasses the standard Fisk/Ripon arrival streams used by general aviation traffic. Instead, these aircraft enter via Fond du Lac, a procedure open to warbirds capable of cruising at 130 knots or greater to ensure adequate traffic separation. Pilots are instructed to monitor the AirVenture Arrival ATIS on 118.75 and download the official 2026 NOTAM from the EAA website once released.

Operational Timeline and Safety

Warbird arrivals are expected throughout the opening weekend, building toward a scheduled mass arrival Monday during the airshow. Organizers stress that integrating vintage aircraft — many with WWII- and Cold War-era performance characteristics — into one of the world's busiest general aviation events demands rigorous procedural discipline. Pre-registration and dedicated arrival streams are designed to reduce risks associated with formation flying and the unique handling qualities of these aircraft.