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Aerial performance art

EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, not only draws the biggest crowds of people and airplanes of any American show, it also is a venue where the airshow pilots at the top of the game strut their stuff. AOPA photographers caught them in the act, capturing with lens and camera some of the most memorable and crowd-pleasing aerial visuals of 2017.

  • Greg Koontz spirals under power during an afternoon airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Matt Younkin climbs his 1943 Beech 18 into the Wisconsin sky during an EAA AirVenture 2017 airshow. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Former military training aircraft pass high overhead during the Tuesday afternoon airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Two North American B-25 Mitchell bombers turn toward a simulated target during a reenactment of Doolittle's raid on Japan. The raid's anniversary was celebrated during EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Smoke from simulated bomb blasts partially obscures a North American B-25 Mitchell at EAA AirVenture 2017. It was participating in a reenactment of Doolittle's raid on Japan. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Skip Stewart spirals through the sky in his biplane, "Prometheus," during Tuesday afternoon's airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Airshow smoke billows from Skip Stewart's aerobatic biplane, "Prometheus," during the Tuesday afternoon airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team's T-6s perform two-ship barrel rolls during the Wednesday night airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Members of the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team come over the top of a loop, flying their North American AT-6s during Wednesday night's airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • The Wednesday night airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017 featured three passes by this U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber--all in full afterburner. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Two members of the Paradigm Aerobatic Team circle in their powered parachutes at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Members of the Paradigm Aerobatic Team fly illuminated powered parachutes, like this one in Wednesday's twilight performance at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Paradigm Aerobatic Team members stack their aircraft during Wednesday's night airshow at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Paradigm Aerobatic Team members fly illuminated powered parachutes in Wednesday's twilight performance at EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Water vapor envelops a U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber as it makes a twilight pass in afterburner during EAA AirVenture 2017. Photo by Mike Collins.
AOPA ePublishing staff
AOPA ePublishing Staff editors are experienced pilots, flight instructors, and aircraft owners who have a passion for bringing you the latest news and AOPA announcements.
Topics: EAA AirVenture

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