By THE ALASKA STORY
July 24, 2026 – Alaska pilots are among the thousands of aviation enthusiasts gathered this week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where the Alaska Airmen’s Association is representing the state’s famously active flying community at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
The weeklong gathering, running July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport, is often described simply as “Oshkosh” in aviation circles. It is part air show, part trade convention, part aircraft museum and part family reunion for pilots.
The scale is difficult to match. Last year’s AirVenture drew a record 704,000 people, more than 10,000 airplanes and nearly 1,000 commercial exhibitors. More than 2,500 show aircraft were displayed, including vintage airplanes, homebuilt aircraft, warbirds, ultralights, seaplanes and aerobatic machines. At peak periods, Wittman Regional Airport becomes one of the busiest airports in the world. EAA describes AirVenture as the world’s largest annual gathering of recreational aviation enthusiasts.
For Alaska pilots, the trip to Wisconsin is a long one, whether made by airline or in a personal aircraft. But Oshkosh has long attracted Alaskans, whose state depends on general aviation to a degree that few places outside the Far North can fully appreciate.
The Alaska Airmen’s Association has established a weeklong presence at this year’s event, giving members and friends a place to gather while introducing pilots from around the country to Alaska aviation.
The star of the Alaska display is the association’s 2027 raffle airplane, a Legend NOMAD positioned at the Rotax booth, No. 265. Raffle ticket sales officially opened Monday, giving AirVenture visitors an early opportunity to see the airplane and enter the annual fundraiser.
The NOMAD is a modern, bush-oriented airplane designed in the tradition of the classic Cub but powered by a Rotax 916 engine. Manufacturer specifications list a 2,000-hour time between overhaul, a constant-speed Catto propeller, 40 gallons of usable fuel and an experimental-category gross weight of 1,850 pounds. Its large tires and rugged configuration are likely to look familiar to Alaska pilots accustomed to gravel bars, rough strips and off-airport operations. American Legend Aircraft markets the NOMAD as a high-performance Rotax-powered Cub.
The raffle is more than a chance to win a new airplane. Ticket sales account for about 75% of the Alaska Airmen’s Association’s operating budget and support its work promoting, preserving and protecting general aviation in Alaska. The organization says its annual aircraft drawing is the largest charitable raffle conducted in the state. Raffle information is available through the association.
The Alaska contingent’s scheduled events began Monday with a meet-and-greet featuring backcountry pilot and aviation personality Trent Palmer at the Legend Aircraft booth. Palmer spoke with visitors about the NOMAD, its Rotax engine and his experience flying the aircraft.
On Tuesday, Alaska Airmen’s Board President Tim Kochert, Executive Director Priscilla Ribic, government affairs representative Adam White and other association members hosted an informal gathering for Alaska pilots and AirVenture visitors.
White followed Wednesday with an interactive presentation titled “Challenges of Alaska Flying” at the Rotax Training Center. Rather than following a fixed lecture, the session allowed those attending to help choose the subjects, opening the discussion to the distinctive conditions that shape aviation in Alaska.
Those conditions can include rapidly changing weather, mountain passes, limited road access, remote fuel availability, unmaintained landing areas and the judgment required when flying over some of the most unforgiving terrain in North America.
They are also the reasons Alaska produces such a strong and closely connected flying community. In much of the state, an airplane is not merely a recreational machine. It may be transportation to work, access to a village, a supply line, an ambulance or the only practical link to the rest of Alaska.
The scheduled Alaska gatherings have concluded, but the association and its raffle airplane will remain at AirVenture through Sunday. Visitors can find the Legend NOMAD at the Rotax booth and meet members of the Alaska aviation community throughout the remainder of the show.
