Celebration of flight begins today in Oshkosh with AirVenture show

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Wisconsin’s annual celebration of flight begins today in Oshkosh.

Ten-thousand airplanes and a half-million visitors are expected for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Show that runs through next Sunday.

Despite the recession, advance ticket sales were up by one-third from last year, and total airplane registrations were up 4 percent. EAA president Tom Poberezny says lower fuel prices may be a factor.

He expects a solid to very good year for attendance.

Today, visitors will get an up-close look at a craft that could someday launch tourists into space. The White Knight 2 carrier plane, also known as “VMS Eve,” will make four appearances during the EAA event.

Among those appearing will be the crew of the U.S. Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River in January with no one being injured.

Its crew, including co-pilot Jeff Skiles of Dane County, has been hailed as heroes.

Sunday, EAA officials said a vintage plane went out of control while landing on a runway at the show grounds.

Strong winds made the plan spin sideways, and it ended up coasting backwards down a slope. No one was hurt.

Tags: jeff skiles, wisconsin, oshkosh, airventure