EAA 2017: Here is all the drone mania you missed

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh just wrapped up — and there was more for dronies to see than ever before — including a peek at Amazon Drones.

EAA AirVenture is the world’s largest air show, and it focuses on all things aviation, from traditional planes to homebuilt planes to skydiving.  590,000 people attended EAA this year a five percent increase over 2016. The airshow saw 17,223 aircraft operations in the day day period from July 21-30 for an average of 123 takeoffs or landings per hour.

Related read: Check out my EAA Airventure live tour from 2016

Amazon Prime Air drones took the center stage at the event.

.@Amazon delivery drone at #OSH17. @EAA pic.twitter.com/dzF2j4chR2

— Kelley | ???? (@Astro_Kelley) July 29, 2017

Day 2 for @gsc3d @EAA #OSH17 and who would think An #Amazon Prime drone would be on display . Bring me my #coffee pic.twitter.com/pirHutCD0W

— Dave Kasinskas (@Dkasinskas) July 25, 2017

And it turns out, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos was even at the event — but not particularly for drones. Bezos was in Oshkosh to talk about Blue Origin, his other company that is working on space travel.

Nice to you at Oshkosh on Friday @JeffBezos. Buzz Aldrin’s tshirt was way cooler than yours 🙂 pic.twitter.com/sJbEl1IlQN

— Codrin Arsene (@csarsene) July 30, 2017

Human-carrying drones made their EAA debut this year. Ohio-based company Workhorse displayed its Surefly manned drone — a two passenger octocopter that is expected to fly at about 70 miles per hour. The drone wasn’t flying though; the drone is still in development but is expected to be flying by 2019 at a cost of $200,000 per drone.

Another personal drone. @EAA #OSH17 pic.twitter.com/QwOwOGU7gP

— Scott Sky Smith (@scottskysmith) July 28, 2017

In the realm of drones, EAA visitors were treated to a glimpse of  Google CEO Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk. Kitty Hawk is the startup backed by Page that is working to create a form of personal transport that travels in the air. Its vehicle, called the Flyer, is a sort of hoverbike with drone-style propellers that can takeoff and land vertically, like most drones.

Kitty Hawk Flyer pic.twitter.com/6tAEKLAwHj

— Kisha Delain ?️ (@skyintist) July 29, 2017

new kid on the dock — 2017’s Kitty Hawk flyer: pic.twitter.com/gkpxASUcdM

— Star Simpson (@starsandrobots) July 28, 2017

Most of the drone action occurred in the main drone exhibit, which included demos of drones such as the DJI Mavic Pro and an obstacle speed course.

From the EAA AirVenture 2017 Drone Cage – DJI Mavic Pro in the air while the Inspire 2 is getting pre-flight inspected. #OSH17 #Inspire2 pic.twitter.com/NL6U69cpM1

— Chris Knight (@ChrisKnight) August 1, 2017

Check out the #drone exhibit @EAA #AirVenture #2017! pic.twitter.com/4HFI6qKMF1

— AeroVistaInnovations (@AerovistaTeam) July 30, 2017

We're hosting a #Drone Cage Obstacle and Speed Course at @EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this week! https://t.co/dQbQsOzXZk #osh17 pic.twitter.com/4XkwJpruHt

— ERAU Daytona Beach (@ERAU_Daytona) July 25, 2017

Of course, my friends from Women and Drones were in attendance this year too — with some great swag!

We had a great time @EAA #Oshkosh17 #EAAAirVenture Thanks to our friends @WomenInAviation See you next year! @fly_like_a_girl #LoveWhatYouDo pic.twitter.com/O3U9RrNepu

— womenanddrones (@WomenandDrones) July 31, 2017

Were you at EAA? Let me know your favorite part in the comments below!