History of the TANNKOSH-FLY-IN

Tannheim Airport is the cradle of microlight-flying in Germany. We were the first public airport who permitted microlights to be operated on the field, in fact we invited them to come and fly with us. In 1982, we founded the first German Ultralight-Flying-School. Ever since that time the number of microlight-pilots have grown considerably, we are now the home base for 40 Ultralights.

In 1993, we invited all the microlight-pilots we knew to come to our first UL-Fly-In. All of them came. We had great fun, everybody showing off their airplanes, flying a lot, and sitting around a campfire in the evening grilling sausages and singing along with a very gifted aviator playing guitarJ

The UL-FLY-IN then became a very popular yearly event. More and more pilots came to visit us every year. In 1995 about 50 airplanes came to the Fly-In. Back then we used to organise joint trips to other airfields, all of us together, in several formations, grouped according to airspeed.  This became increasingly difficult with the growing number of visitors and eventually was not possible any more. So we decided we should present the pilots with some entertainment at our own airfield where everyone is part of the show.

Why did the UL-FLY-IN not stay purely ultralight?

Because lots of friends and pilots flying everything that has wings, including lots of rare and special airplanes, have just joined the party over the years! And we’re happy they did!

All of us here in Tannheim have always been open for all types of flying and welcome all pilots. Originally, we have invited the ultralight pilots to a meeting place when many airfields were not open to UL’s, and they thanked us for it by coming together here in Tannheim in ever growing numbers! But by now the ultralight scene has long been integrated into general aviation. Now the diversity of the different types of airplanes makes the meeting even more attractive for everyone.

some numbers:        
1998: appx. 100 airplanes
1999: appx. 200 airplanes
2000: appx. 150 airplanes (date postponed due to bad weather)
2001: appx.. 300 airplanes (great! and we figured we couldn’t beat that!)
2002: appx. 400 airplanes
2003: appx. 550 airplanes
2004: appx. 780 airplanes
2005: appx. 850 airplanes
2006: more than 1.300 airplanes
2007: more than 1.000 airplanes (even we´ve had bad weather)
2008: more than 1.300 airplanes
2009: more than 800 airplanes (incredibly bad weather)

Looking back, 2003 was a great year for us: for the first time we jumped the 500-mark: about 550 visiting airplanes, including of course at least a crew of two in most of the them, made this Fly-In a magical one.

The magic mood was enhanced by all the cheerful pilots in high spirits from all over Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic and France. Everyone immensely enjoyed the visit of a record number of classic vintage aircraft, many beautiful biplanes,  aerobatic aircraft and several Warbirds (e.g. the Flying Bulls’ F4U Corsair, several T-6, Stearmans, Stampe, Tigermoth, Bückers, 10 YAKS,  Pitts, Eagles, Diabolo, Antonov AN-2, PZL 106- one of the last types in airworthy condition-, 15 parachute jumpers, Base jumper Hannes Arch, and last but by no means least the world aerobatic champion Mr. Klaus Schrodt and the world class aerobatic Mr. Gyro Frank Versteegh – all of whom contributed to a truly grand and exciting spontaneous airshow!

All of them flew great formations or solo displays, and all of them are friends who just enjoy to come to our parties – and to perform for an enthusiastic audience.

This was the year when a reporter covering our Fly-In for a German aviation magazine renamed it  “TANNKOSH”  - a combination of TANNheim and oshKOSH, and we of course very proudly  adopted this denomination!

The FLY-IN grew bigger every year – and so did our team of pilots and friends helping us during several days of Action.  Our Team Tannkosh meanwhile grew to over 150 aviation enthusiasts. All of them call Tannheim their home base, most of them are part of our flight school (students, pilots, instructors, and their families) or have their aircraft based here. Many have been part of the TANNKOSH-Crew for several years now and they deserve big praise since Tannkosh wouldn’t be possible without them and they are enthusiastic, hard-working and absolutely marvellous.

Over the years several Meetings inside our Fly–In have developed, like the already in itself legendary Renegade-Meeting. Other aircraft-builders and all major aircraft companies take part in the FLY-IN to arrange a get together of customers, friends and interested parties, which made the numbers of participating pilots grow again.

In recent years, quite a number of beautifully restored vintage cars, motor cycles and tractors have visited us during the FLY-IN – what a fantastic addition to the vintage airplanes and the colourful flightline!

The already famous parties on the evenings of the FLY-IN have reached somewhat of a cult status. The marvellous bands as well as other “special acts” have had people dancing on the tables and having a great time for years now. First-Class-Catering, the midnight fireworks and our very own Pilots’ Bar also make this event special. We can truly say our “Rock in the Hangar”  is the platform for a lively and international communication and understanding between aviators.

Tannkosh meets Oshkosh!
It was a big honour for us to welcome Tom and Sharon Poberezny here in Tannheim in April 2007. Tom (who is a living legend and known to aviators all over the world) is the president of the EAA. Tom and Sharon are the chief organizers of Oshkosh, the world’s biggest and most famous Fly-In, and they came to visit Tannheim, the home of “Tannkosh”, to have a closer look at the grass field that welcomed over 1.300 airplanes last yearJ - and they were quite enthusiastic and felt right at home here! We met at the AERO in Friedrichshafen, where they asked us what the term “Tannkosh” stands for – and we are proud to say that they seemed quite pleased with our explanation that Tannkosh has always been inspired by our “big brother” Oshkosh – and we now have the “official go ahead” to carry on with this proud nameJ
To all participants of Tannkosh: we have been recognized by the Oshkosh-Team! We may even expect a team from Oshkosh to visit Tannkosh 2008! We are still absolutely thrilled to have had the chance to meet the delegation from Oshkosh – including goose bumps and all:-)

Thanks to all of you – pilots and crews from all over Europe! We are Tannkosh!
All of us, the flying community as well as our team, make this event possible.
You’re the reason why we work hard to keep the spirit of Tannkosh flying – come join the party organized BY pilots FOR pilots.

TANNKOSH has become a yearly cult event for pilots from all over Europe, who take to the air and come to Tannheim to be part of the party.

And because of them, this event has become the biggest Fly-In in Germany, or even Europe.

Come fly with us!