Aerobatic pilots played Tic-Tac-Toe in the sky of Wisconsin during the world’s largest aviation celebration.
OSHKOSH, WI – The sky became a playground of precision, smoke trails, and lighthearted fun as a group of aerobatic pilots stunned the crowd at EAA AirVenture 2025 by doing something no one expected: playing a game of tic-tac-toe at 5,000 feet.
In what’s being called one of the most creative aerial displays of the week, small aircraft used coordinated flight paths and smoke to draw a giant tic-tac-toe grid over Wittman Regional Airport, then took turns marking their “X”s and “O”s in real-time for spectators below.
Smoke Trails Turn Game Board
Using smoke canisters, the aircraft traced out the classic 3-by-3 grid in few minutes — a feat of spatial coordination that left even veteran pilots on the ground impressed. Then pilots took turns sweeping through cells of the grid in carefully choreographed bursts to place either an X or O.
A Big Hit at a Big Show
The stunt became an instant sensation, with social media buzzing and videos of the sky-high game spreading quickly. The display also captured what many fans say is the spirit of EAA AirVenture — a mix of cutting-edge innovation, historical appreciation, and playful passion for flight.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, EAA AirVenture is the world’s largest aviation celebration, attracting more than 600,000 visitors and over 10,000 aircraft from around the globe. It’s known for breathtaking airshows, innovative aircraft displays, and the occasional skywritten surprise.
