Back from Oshkosh

George writes: Karl Barry and I have returned from our first Oshkosh adventure. What a trip! We flew out on Monday and returned on Thursday. I've put up some un-edited photos up in the the PhotoGalleries at PhotoGallery2003x07x31x0. We set up camp in row 555 of the North 40, near the departure end of Runway 27. We hooked up with the crew from Spencer and other WAPA members who arrived during the week.

OSH.jpg
Spencer Crew watching landings on 27.


On the way out we stopped at Akron NY (9G3) [Fuel $2.55] and Clare Michigan (48D) [Fuel $2.20]. Clair had a courtesy car available, which was purchased and insured by the local pilots club from bake sales and other fundraisers. They also had free ice cream cones. We circled Niagra Falls at 4500' on the way out.

It took 8,2 hours of Hobbs time on the way out. My legs had a headwind and were averaging 85-90 knots. Karl took over and we hit 138 knots. He thinks that it was technique. Ha!

Starting with the Ripon arrival, the whole show is really beyond description. We are already talking about going back next year. We'll have owned the plane 15 years this September. I can't believe that we never made the trip before, and can't wait to go again. The first night, the new Hilton Hotel thought they had a great idea and had a band playing outside on the deck until 11pm. They sent some poor girl around to all the camp sites the next day to advertise live music every night. She heard from a lot of people what they thought of the "Entertainment&quot. I guess that they got the message - no more late night music.

The warbird flyby and airshows were pretty amazing. Staying only the 2+ days really wasn't enough. We didn't have time to get to the museum. Wednesday afternoon a severe thunderstorm blew through. 30 Knot winds and approx 1.7 inches of rain. It was fun watching the Embry-Riddle guys try to keep their tent together. When we got back to our own tent, we discovered that it was neither wind nor waterproof. (Actually the floor held water very nicely … it filled up.) 3 of 4 poles snapped, everything soaked. Luckily Target had some tents left. The next storm, the new tent held, but wasn't exactly waterproof. The heavy rain became a gentle shower inside. The next morning we noticed a few folks sleeping without benefit of a tent.

At the looks of the approaching weather pattern for New England, and with the soaked sleeping bags, Karl and I decided to fly back home a day ahead of schedule on Thursday morning. We fueled up on Wed. night. Fuel at OSH was an amazing $1.99/gal. The IFR reservation procedure worked great. We were airborn 7 minutes after our planned departure time. Crossed the lake at 9000, and then landed at Port Hueron International (PHN) [Fuel $2.65]. Their local EAA chapter was cooking up hamburgs, etc. for Oshkosh pilots to raise funds. Next stop was Akron NY, and a beautiful VFR flight back to ORH. 7.7 hours total on the return trip.

Lessons Learned

  • Tent is designed to keep the sun off at night. Put a tarp over the wing to protect the tent.
  • Can't cook bacon with plastic silverware. Metal spoon not very effective flipping eggs. Note: Bring a spatula.
  • Bikes were a great idea.
  • Practice flight planning without the aid of a computer. Big difference between the living room and a water-filled tent in gusty winds.
  • Bring plenty of extra batteries and flash cards for the camera. Killed one battery and shot 264 and 600 meg of pictures on just the first day.
  • Bring a light backpack to carry "stuff" from the vendors, food from the Piggly Wiggly, etc.
  • Don't pack it and bring it if you can buy it at a local store.

Looks like the quick departure on Thursday was the way to go. Friday, ORH was socked in most of the day. As of this writing, Chris and Cary's warrior is stuck out in Albany. Mike Rudik's plane is stuck out in Pennsylvania somewhere. And the weather is not looking hopeful for the weekend.

George


Dewey adds: Here are some interesting OSH pictures (no, I didn't go, but then again I was closer than these guys smile

http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-7/inflight/ndxpage15.html [nasa.gov]
In the Alaska bush I'd rather have a two hour bladder and three hours of gas than vice versa. --Kurt Wien

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