To celebrate 50 consecutive years of fly-in conventions in Oshkosh, we’re featuring Stories of Oshkosh told by attendees remembering their special moments at EAA’s long-standing home. If you or someone you know would like to share your own Story of Oshkosh, email editorial@eaa.org
Did you ever lay in the grass as a child, staring up at the sky making shapes out of clouds in your mind when all of the sudden an airplane comes soaring by, and right there and then you just know that you want aviation to be a part of your life forever? Dennis Carew, EAA 76366, knows that feeling. He would often visit Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and sit on the fence watching airplanes come and go. For as long as he can remember, Dennis has always been fascinated by aviation. In 1953 Dennis would deliver Oshkosh Northwestern newspapers in the airport area and even after being around airplanes all day, he would still go home and build model airplanes.
Eventually, Dennis became a charter member of EAA Chapter 444 in Appleton. In the early ’70s Chapter 444 was in charge of transient parking at EAA Oshkosh and would manufacture tiedowns for transient airplanes.
“We sold and rented tiedowns at the EAA convention and for a time we were the world’s largest manufacturer of tiedowns,” Dennis said.
Dennis has held many volunteer positions over the years including working in parking, flightline operations, greeting arrivals, and doing site work prior to the convention. He even went on to offer his expertise as a CFI at the Pilot Proficiency Center and served as Chapter 444 president for a few years.
Looking back at his time spent at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, a few special memories come to mind for Dennis; camping next to Runway 9/27 with friends and family, waking up to the sound of airplanes flying in the morning, and even meeting a few celebrities such as John Denver, Frank Borman, and Scott Carpenter. Dennis felt a great honor having the opportunity to associate with Paul Poberezny and Gene Chase.
“Paul personally helped us get the chapter started, and gave Chapter 444 the privilege of being in charge of transit parking for many years,” Dennis said.
Dennis’ first visit to EAA Oshkosh was in 1970 and he hasn’t missed a single convention since then. He’s seen a lot of performers but his favorites were Bob Hoover, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Concorde, the Red Devils, and Duane Cole, which he said he was “privileged to see firsthand.” But the performer that made him want to come back every year was Bob Hoover with his yellow P-51, and the Shrike Commander acts.
“Things have changed but the attendees’ enthusiasm for aviation, homebuilders, classics, and antiques has only grown stronger,” Dennis said. “As big as Oshkosh is now, it still is the people’s love of aviation and their desire to share the fellowship of Oshkosh which brings all back yearly.”