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Aviation performance art

Eye candy has horsepower at EAA AirVenture

July 21, 2026

In daily airshows and static displays designed to dazzle, many of the thousands of aircraft that converge on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin each July have work to do during the week, but they're always parked for peeking in between.

Artist Noah Heckel of Scheme Designers decorates the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin, July 20. Photo by David Tulis.
Artist Noah Heckel of Scheme Designers decorates the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin, July 20. Photo by David Tulis.

AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis captured airshow action and buzz on the ground.

Anyone lucky enough to be at Wittman Regional Airport should stop by the AOPA campus to watch the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer paint scheme created during the week. AOPA also offers prime airshow seats to members.

Jarrod Lindemann in a Jet Waco performs during the opening day airshow. Photo by David Tulis. The "Seattle II" World Cruiser replica biplane is on display. The recreation is powered by a 400-horsepower Liberty V-12 engine and is on loan to the EAA Museum by builders Bob and Dianne Dempster. Photo by David Tulis. Visitors look at the new AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer. Photo by David Tulis. The pink Cirrus SR22 of content creator Sarah Daniels is displayed on the Cirrus campus. Photo by David Tulis. A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 strategic and tactical transport aircraft on Boeing Plaza dwarfs attendees and other aircraft. Photo by David Tulis. Attendees grab a shady spot under the wing of a Cirrus during the opening day airshow. Photo by David Tulis. An International Aerobatic Club demonstration during the opening day airshow includes an American Champion Aircraft Super Decathlon with a performance by Michael Lents. Photo by David Tulis. Airshow attendees document U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor demo pilot Nick "Laz" Le Tourneau’s performance. Photo by David Tulis. A 1969 Piper Comanche 260 taxis past onlookers after landing in haze caused by Canadian wildfires. Photo by David Tulis. Redline Airshows father-and-son pilots Ken and Austin Rieder perform side-by-side. Photo by David Tulis. Warbirds of America pilots participate in the opening day airshow on July 20. Photo by David Tulis. Airshow attendees inspect a North American P-51 Mustang, one of the early arrivals, on July 18. Photo by David Tulis. A youth walks past a group of Cessna 195s on the flight line near the vintage camping area. Photo by David Tulis. An International Aerobatic Club demonstration includes an Aura Aero Integral R. Photo by David Tulis. Pilot Ed Hamill performs during the opening day airshow. Photo by David Tulis. Condensation clouds emanate from the cockpit area of U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor demo pilot Nick "Laz" Le Tourneau. Photo by David Tulis. Noel Heckel of Scheme Designers planned to spend the week of AirVenture adding layers of color to the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer. Attendees have opportunities to interact with the artist, who will work selected suggestions into the plan. Photo by David Tulis. Pilots in the Cirrus Aircraft mass arrival taxi to parking on July 19. Photo by David Tulis.
Airshow fans crowd the flight line in front of the polished fuselage of a Douglas C-47 named "Miss Virginia." Photo by David Tulis.
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Airshow fans crowd the flight line in front of the polished fuselage of a Douglas C-47 named "Miss Virginia." Photo by David Tulis.
Topics: EAA AirVenture, AOPA Sweepstakes

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