Flying a Cub to Oshkosh

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mxalix258

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mxalix258
Hello,

I've been to Oshkosh twice, but would like to fly-in this year in a J-3 Cub I have access to. I'd plan on camping for a few days.

Do you pay ahead for a camping spot or is it first come first serve and pay there? Does anyone have any specific tips in arriving in a Cub given the slower cruise speed? I've seen in the past that "Cubs 2 Oshkosh" plan a mass arrival, but I don't see anything current for this year in the works. I'll be coming over from the Twin Cities.

Any other insights on what to do and what not to do would be much appreciated! Would like to make the most of a trip out there and would be willing to stop and other local activities or fly-ins if they are happening.
 
I ain't done it, but I would consider coming in via the ultralight entry - that way you don't have to pretend to be trying to make a blistering 90 knots for the Fisk arrival.

mxalix258 said:
I'll be coming over from the Twin Cities.
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Gwinn and New Swanze?

:)
 
If you're camping by the plane, you pay when you arrive.

If I was arriving in a Cub, Champ, or other low and slow flyer, I'd make a point of spending the previous night as close to the starting point for the arrival as possible and being the first airplane (or as close as possible) in the arrival queue in the morning when traffic is at its absolute minimum.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
I ain't done it, but I would consider coming in via the ultralight entry - that way you don't have to pretend to be trying to make a blistering 90 knots for the Fisk arrival.
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Cubs are among the aircraft specifically called out to *not* use the ultralight arrival. That field is for ultralights.


kyleb said:
If I was arriving in a Cub, Champ, or other low and slow flyer, I'd make a point of spending the previous night as close to the starting point for the arrival as possible and being the first airplane (or as close as possible) in the arrival queue in the morning when traffic is at its absolute minimum.
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100%
 
Study the arrival procedures in the NOTAM. Make sure you make the appropriate window sign for aircraft camping.
Have a look at some of the arrival videos on YouTube that pilots have posted. Makes it easier to recognize the landmarks referenced in the NOTAM.
When you land there will be marshallers for taxi all the way till you are parked. They will have all the info you need for registration when you shut down.

Enjoy!
 
Theres videos on the EAA website of an example arrival and departure... live from a cockpit going in, including a go around duee to pilot uncomfortable with spacing on final. I watched em last night as i was thinking about it... I would want to be more comfortable in my plane, as its new to me, than I am now, but i may be by summer if Wx gets decent and i rack up some time in her.
 
No, you do not need (nor is it possible) to book a space in advance. No Cub mass arrivals scheduled. What year is your cub?
 
kyleb said:
If you're camping by the plane, you pay when you arrive.

If I was arriving in a Cub, Champ, or other low and slow flyer, I'd make a point of spending the previous night as close to the starting point for the arrival as possible and being the first airplane (or as close as possible) in the arrival queue in the morning when traffic is at its absolute minimum.
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I've found traffic to be light around 6 to 7 pm as well.
 
Early in the morning is always a good time. Not many planes on the arrival and not much shaking on the ground either (at least not down in Vintage where you'll be parking).
I'm usually working then, my wife doesn't get up that early so I usually open up the ops shack.
 
172andyou said:
Cubs are among the aircraft specifically called out to *not* use the ultralight arrival. That field is for ultralights.
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There was nothing in the 2018 NOTAM about that, but of course, the information from the FAA is incomplete.
After some digging, I found the following on the EAA web page:

  • Part 103 ultralights, light-planes and homebuilt rotorcraft certificated as E-AB, E-LSA, and S-LSA that can safely operate from the runway.
  • N-numbered aircraft should meet the light-sport definition for weight, speed, etc.
  • Should not be a type certificated Vintage aircraft such as a Cub, Champ, etc.
  • Should not be a traditional homebuilt design such as a Pietenpol, etc.

Thanks for pointing this out...
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
There was nothing in the 2018 NOTAM about that, but of course, the information from the FAA is incomplete.
After some digging, I found the following on the EAA web page:

  • Part 103 ultralights, light-planes and homebuilt rotorcraft certificated as E-AB, E-LSA, and S-LSA that can safely operate from the runway.
  • N-numbered aircraft should meet the light-sport definition for weight, speed, etc.
  • Should not be a type certificated Vintage aircraft such as a Cub, Champ, etc.
  • Should not be a traditional homebuilt design such as a Pietenpol, etc.

Thanks for pointing this out...
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The notam references the page you quote. I couldn't tell you why they don't put it all in one place though...


Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Ultralights like this? :)
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I see your smily face, but just to make sure others know. Draco, and a dozen or so others, were specifically invited to land on the ultralights field for the STOL demonstrations. EAA really does try to keep ultralights to aircraft that meet the definition.
 
Huckster79 said:
Theres videos on the EAA website of an example arrival and departure... live from a cockpit going in, including a go around duee to pilot uncomfortable with spacing on final. I watched em last night as i was thinking about it... I would want to be more comfortable in my plane, as its new to me, than I am now, but i may be by summer if Wx gets decent and i rack up some time in her.
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Good attitude to have. Just to build it up in your mind to be more than it is.

Yes, it will be busy.

Yes, you will be nervous the first time.

Yes, the spacing is tighter than you are used to.

That said.

Yes, if you educate yourself with the NOTAM and you can spot land within 50 ft consistently then you will be able to do this safely.

The *only* liability you have will be your speed. So, as a courtesy to the rest of us, do as suggested and try to arrive at less congested times. But either way, you will be fine. :)
 
The problem with using the ultralight runway is we don't have a procedure for getting you OUT of the ultralight area into the regular vintage parking. Not saying it can't be done (we often do it the other way to get aircraft from the exhibition area or whatever down to the "fun flight" area), but expect significant delays while you explain to the ultralight guys what you want to do and they contact us in Vintage to figure out how to escort you out of what essentially is a high pedestrian area.
 
flyingron said:
The problem with using the ultralight runway is we don't have a procedure for getting you OUT of the ultralight area into the regular vintage parking. Not saying it can't be done (we often do it the other way to get aircraft from the exhibition area or whatever down to the "fun flight" area), but expect significant delays while you explain to the ultralight guys what you want to do and they contact us in Vintage to figure out how to escort you out of what essentially is a high pedestrian area.
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OK, from reading the NOTAM, it seemed like a good idea for a slow pokey ride like mine. Turns out I was wrong, Ron.
 
flyingron said:
No, you do not need (nor is it possible) to book a space in advance. No Cub mass arrivals scheduled. What year is your cub?
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It's a 1940. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll try and find a spot where I can get close and camp the night before.

Any guidance on coming opening day vs mid-week? I assume spots might fill up or be harder to get in, is that right?
 
1940 gets you into the Antique rows. You should have no problem getting a space.

Actually, most people either arrive early (like days before the show opens) or later. We have people departing by the end of the first day.
 
mxalix258 said:
Any guidance on coming opening day vs mid-week? I assume spots might fill up or be harder to get in, is that right?
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As Ron said, you won't have any problem with either from a parking perspective. For me, I just like the vibe earlier in the week better than the one later. Early on everyone is full of energy, excited and ready to go.

That said, there is no "wrong" time to go.
 
At the risk of being accused of blatant hucksterism, the website at www.rstengineering.com has artwork to download and print your own window sign(s) for antique parking, homebuilt camping, VFR departures, and half a dozen others. We recommend printing BLACK LASER on yellow (goldenrod) paper for best visibility. Laser because inkjet runs when wet and the odds of your cub not leaking just a little bit in the mandatory midweek thunderstorm are zero. jw
 
Yep, preprinted signs work best (whether you use Jim's or just make your own). You'll want VAC (if you're camping). If they don't take you across the road, remind us that you are a 1940.

Every year a few of us relocate our planes up to the Hilton for the day after the show (saves having to break camp and dealing packing a possibly wet tent, etc...). I used to hand make signs for that as well. One year I decided to get them all ready in advance.

I had
VAC
VFR (for departures)
NORTH 40 (most people don't know where the Hilton is down south)
HILTON (for when I get closer)

then I added a couple more...
THANK YOU (a marshaller up at the end of Papa took a picture of me holding that one up).

the next years I've added various others. I arrived in Vintage with the following sequence:

WHY CAN'T I PARK HERE?
I PARKED HERE LAST YEAR!
I KNOW TOM.

I've also added a few:
YOU LOOK GOOD IN ORANGE (for the marshallers)
YOU LOOK GOOD IN PINK (for the FAA)
MVFR (well, let's be accurate about the departure conditions)

One year (during sequestration when the FAA wanted the EAA to pay for them to cover the show)
$446,000 FOR THIS?
 
^^Ok, some of those a freaking hilarious.
 
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