Having skipped a year due to pandemic shutdowns in 2020, AirVenture came galloping back in 2021, with near-record attendance, more aircraft than ever on the field and, most impressive, strong sales for aircraft companies and vendors. EAA Chairman Jack Pelton said the showing was all the more impressive because as late as December 2020, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, it wasn’t apparent that the show would happen at all.
As AirVentures go, 2021 was average for product intros and innovation. Much of what we saw we either knew was coming or fell within the normal ebb of flow of new stuff companies seem to hold until the gates at Witt-man field open. One unexpected surprise—and probably the most significant announcement—was a long-awaited approval for an unleaded 100-octane fuel to finally replace 100LL. More on that later.