Only 2 days for Oshkosh, which ones are best?

Badger

Badger

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Badger
Yes I know, the ones it doesn't rain.
I want to experience the true evening atmosphere, of course an airshow or two.

Probably flying in, camping under wing.
 
Wed or Sat evening air show is always fun. Many people have left by the latter part of the week but the exhibits are still,there. Really depends what you are interested in.
 
The first two, or the last two...except either of those choices means missing H.O.P.S.
 
I like going the day before it opens when you can see a lot of it for free and beat the rush to the camping and then leave after the opening concert. Remember I believe they charge 3 days camping minimum...


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any thoughts from the "day" crowd? Ha
 
What do you want to see/do? There will be more warbirds and show planes there earlier in the week. If you want to talk with vendors, crowds shrink later in the week. If you're looking for a specific forum or event, schedule accordingly.
 
Last year camping filled up on Sunday, but opened up later (I'm sure somebody here can tell you when) as people left, so if you plan on showing up Monday, you might be disappointed when you get turned away.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
so, does that mean Sat the 22nd?
tks
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Technically speaking, the show opens on Monday the 24th this year. You can walk around Sunday but most things are frantically scrambling to be completed and ready for Monday. The best part of Sunday is grabbing a radio and a chair and sitting out by the flight line to watch all the arrivals. It is very cool. I like to fly in on Saturday to get better parking (ie: closer to the bath houses) on Saturday and to beat the crazy rush on Sunday.
 
Wednesday/Thursday.

By then, the first wave has usually departed and EAA is in-filling campsites.

And the HOPS Party is Wednesday, so you can sip good beer from all over the country whilst watching the night airshow...
 
ytodd said:
Technically speaking, the show opens on Monday the 24th this year. You can walk around Sunday but most things are frantically scrambling to be completed and ready for Monday.
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think if I arrive Sat pm I will get row 5? Or would that be Sat am?
 
For GA parking/camping, if you are not there by mid afternoon on Saturday before the show, you will be pretty far back from the main flightline and showers. If you arrive Sunday, you will be all the way back or even in overflow camping at Fon du Lac or Appleton. Either way there are shuttles to take you to where you need to be, so it's not that bad. By Wednesday afternoon, some spots may be opening up again, but it's luck of the draw as to where you may actually be directed to park. Of course if you have an older airplane (pre '75 I believe) or homebuilt, then you go to the front of the line and will park with the other show planes at the south end of the flight line along runway 18/36. Just make sure you have the appropriate parking sign in your window after you land.
 
Myself and a buddy are planning to get there mid week (Wednesday) and depart Saturday am. Sounds like we may miss the best part(s). I guess we should just cancel and stay home :(
 
arkvet said:
Myself and a buddy are planning to get there mid week (Wednesday) and depart Saturday am. Sounds like we may miss the best part(s). I guess we should just cancel and stay home :(
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That should not be the takeaway from this. There is plenty to see all week long! If you want to see the airport at it's peak capacity, then be there Monday. Without a doubt there will be some planes leaving after a few days, but others will arrive. The first night airshow is Wednesday, and anyone leaving before then is really missing out. If you stay all the way to the closing Sunday, then you will see a lot of empty parking spots...but you will also get to see a lot of departures from your seat in the grass by the runway :)
 
arkvet said:
Myself and a buddy are planning to get there mid week (Wednesday) and depart Saturday am. Sounds like we may miss the best part(s). I guess we should just cancel and stay home :(
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My first Osh was last year, and I showed up Wednesday at just before midnight and stayed through Sunday. Had the time of my life, and because of those few days, I'm coming for the full meal deal this year. Since you should be there in time for the airshow, you should DEFINITELY come. You'll have plenty to see and do on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, since this is The Year of the Bomber, you'll get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see not one, but TWO B-29s flying in formation, something that hasn't happened in at least 50 years... PLUS all of the B-25s, the B-1B, the B-2, and the B-52. I mean... that alone makes the trip worth it.
 
PPC1052 said:
The notam says "manufactured before 1971." Looks like I have 5 more years to go for preferential parking. :(
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You are right. Not sure why I thought pre '75. I'll be there myself in a 1975 C-182, but I don't mind the North 40 at all. That is where the best showers are, and it's a short shuttle ride to off-site shopping and dining.
 
flytime said:
I'll be there myself in a 1975 C-182, but I don't mind the North 40 at all.
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For what its worth, your 1975 model year may have been manufactured in 1974. So, you only have a couple of years left. :)
 
How do you guys fuel up when you are ready to leave? Do they have fuel trucks that come to where you tie down, or do you have to go to a specific location before taxiing to the departure runway?
 
PPC1052 said:
How do you guys fuel up when you are ready to leave? Do they have fuel trucks that come to where you tie down, or do you have to go to a specific location before taxiing to the departure runway?
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Basler has fuel trucks that provide fuel on their ramp and in the airplane camping areas. You put a tag on your prop with instructions, then after they fuel you take the tag to the hut and pay the bill before you leave. I wouldn't wait to try and get fuel right before you leave. Land, park, go to camp registration, put tag on plane. It sometimes takes them days to get fuel around to everybody. If you get in a pinch you can call the number in the NOTAM for Basler and request fuel too.
 
ytodd said:
I wouldn't wait to try and get fuel right before you leave. Land, park, go to camp registration, put tag on plane. It sometimes takes them days to get fuel around to everybody...
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That is no exaggeration. Last time I was there (2015) I ordered fuel on Tuesday afternoon and it was delivered Thursday morning, right before I was ready to depart for home. Didn't even get a full load as the truck ran out of fuel a few gallons short of full tanks.
 
Badger said:
Yes I know, the ones it doesn't rain.
I want to experience the true evening atmosphere, of course an airshow or two.
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Do they have to be consecutive days? :goofy:

My favorites are generally Monday and Saturday:

Monday because it's the first official day of the show, the excitement is everywhere, and all of the companies are announcing their new stuff so you can see it and touch it before the rest of the world even hears about it.

Saturday because the night airshow and the wall of fire. Ka-BOOM! :D

If you can, come in early on Friday (or late Thursday) and stay until Sunday morning. You'll get the night experience, you'll see the night airshow, and you can often get deals on Sunday morning as the vendors are packing up and the less crap they can take home with them the happier they are.
 
I go whenever I can. This year it will be Monday morning. As long as it's up & running, there are no bad days. Of course the weather plays a large part.
 
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