Watch EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Featuring DC-3 and FM-2 Wildcat Airshow Highlights

At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, aviation fans gathered on a warm July Saturday to welcome vintage aircraft arriving early ahead of the main show. Enthusiasts watched these classic machines taxying, performing pass-bys, and landing on Runway 36 at Wittman Regional Airport.

Morning Arrivals and First Impressions

As the day began, a series of warm engines roared to life, signaling the arrival of iconic aircraft. A DC‑3 appeared on the fat runway, gracefully touching down before taxiing off to the grass exit. Soon after, an FM‑2 Wildcat made a dramatic high‑speed taxi run, thrilling the crowd with its powerful engine whine. Each landing brought applause, and the announcer noted every runway assignment—“Left base, runway 36 left, clear to land.”

Guidance came through calm, professional radio calls. Pilots were directed to hold 1,800 feet altitude, follow the east‑west road, and exit via grass or high‑speed taxi depending on their aircraft type. These clear instructions ensured smooth traffic flow and minimized delays for incoming craft.

Pattern Work and Low Passes

The announcer offered aircraft the chance to fly circuits before settling in. “You can do a low pass,” he encouraged, suggesting altitudes below 1,800 feet, possibly down to 500 feet for dramatic effect. Several pilots obliged, banking gracefully at right base and crossing just above the runway before climbing away. The announcer reminded them to avoid passing the control tower, preserving safety and order.

Continuous Landings and Punctuated Cheers

Landings occurred in steady cadence, each welcomed with applause. The DC‑3 continued to receive special attention when it taxied off at the end of the runway, guided by flaggers toward the grass area. Between landings, light-hearted commentary on the flight deck banter offered an insight into an RV‑10 pilot’s decision‑making process during pattern work.

Throughout the morning, the crowd responded enthusiastically to the roar of radial engines and prop blur overhead. The combination of precise radio communication, vintage plane presence, and shared excitement created a lively beginning to AirVenture week, capturing the spirit of aviation history in motion.

Keep going for the video below to watch the airshow highlights: