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flying. After doing the arrival a few times, it became clear in my mind that the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival was exponentially safer than the main Ripon-Fisk arrival. Now and for the past 10 years, the main appeal is the people. I’m involved in it because of the friends I’ve made over the years – to see them, talk to them and spend time together – and to make more friends.”
The group is one of several mass ar- rivals that coordinate with EAA in order to tie down together in the North 40 camping area. Bonanzas to Oshkosh started its mass arrivals in 1990 and regularly brings 120 aircraft. Velez said that group helped the Cessnas “take our first steps, and over the years have continued to support us in one of the best examples of aviation camaraderie that I’ve seen.”
Oshkosh is special to Geoff L. Robi- son because his first exposure to the fly-in came at a time when, as a young police officer in Indiana just back from serving overseas in the military, he hadn’t yet made many friends. He im- mediately felt a sense of community when he volunteered on his first visit to OSH in 1983.
Robison will attend his 37th straight EAA convention this year and has volunteered in the vintage area ev- ery year. Based in Auburn, Indiana, he owns a 1946 Piper Cub Special and a 1950 Cessna 170A, but he typically drives to Oshkosh. Through the years he’s worked many volunteer roles, and while serving as president of the
Vintage Aircraft Association, he helped manage volunteer resources during the fly-in. Now he runs a cash register at Aeromart, where attendees can pur- chase used and spare aircraft parts, and spends a few days coordinating tours on EAA’s B-17 Flying Fortress known as Aluminum Overcast.
Volunteerism at the f ly-in led to leadership positions within EAA’s board of directors and its Vintage Aircraft Association.
Based on a 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study, the f ly-in brings $170 million for the five counties in the region. Ho- tels, restaurants, retail stores and many other local businesses benefit.
Bryson started volunteering as a French interpreter in 1993, af- ter graduating from college with a French degree. She became chair of International Visitors in 2004, coor- dinating volunteer interpreters in the International Visitors Tent.
International visitors are not required to register their origin, but based on the record 2,714 guests who registered in 2018, 87 nations were represented including 538 from Canada, 386 from Australia and 277 from South Africa. Bryson said the tent becomes a commu- nity within the event footprint, where volunteers return each July along with guests from around the globe who have become friends.
“It’s better than a family reunion – it’s a week long and much larger than just
The Volunteer
The Resident
“I am now very rich in friendships that came to me through the EAA,” he said. “Being rich with friends doesn’t even begin to describe how fortunate I am because of these many unique opportunities EAA has provided to me over all these years of volunteering.”
As a year-round resident, Michel Bryson is proud that her city is syn- onymous with the largest aviation gathering in the world. As a 27-year
Geoff Robison has volunteered at Oshkosh since 1983.
volunteer working with international visitors at the f ly-in convention, she knows that a trip to the middle of the United States is a one-time pilgrimage for some while others return often.
“As a volunteer and as a resident, ‘Oshkosh’ means an incredible source of pride,” she said. “I can tell you that for thousands of people around the world, ‘EAA’ and ‘AirVenture’ are secondary terms. Oshkosh is the aviation event of a lifetime, even for those who come every year.”
family,” she said. “My summer would not be complete without them.”
The Staffers
Jack Pelton and Rick Larsen are EAA staff members who first came to Osh- kosh as kids with their families and today help coordinate the event that heavily influenced their interest and careers in aviation.
Larsen, the EAA vice president who also helps coordinate features and
Each year, Oshkosh resident Michel Bryson works with the fly-in’s hundreds of international visitors.
12 • TWIN & TURBINE / July 2019