Question about early AM arrivals - about what time does the traffic really start to pick up?
Not being a morning person, I can't tell you for sure... But the request for slower aircraft to be there in the first 1/2 hour should tell you something. And from sleeping next to the runway, it's definitely slower before 8.
The NOTAM requests slower aircraft to reach Fisk by 700-730. It also says no overtaking, I'm OK with slow flight,
Don't do that - All that does is mean the guy behind you has to be slow, and the one behind them has to be slow, and then the whole arrival gets slow and bad stuff happens.
If you're getting to be less than 1/2 mile in front of the aircraft in front of you, break it off, circle back to Ripon, and start again at 90 knots.
but if it just won't work, the NOTAM says to break off and return to Ripon - my initial thought would be to make a right turn out to avoid any traffic over Rush Lake, does that make sense or am I missing something?
If you're breaking off for a slow mover, IMO going to the right makes more sense, especially in the first half of the Ripon-Fisk leg when Rush Lake is already there and you could be getting in the way of someone on the hold or having circled back from Fisk. Otherwise, you can just break off to the left, make one (half?) lap around Rush Lake and come back up the tracks.
Outside of the approach, fly at whatever speed you feel comfortable at to include any bailouts (you don't have to motor at 90 circling back to RIPON) -- just slow back down once you're in position to merge back into the RIPON conga line.
I would disagree - If you circle to the left around Rush Lake, you're essentially in that hold, and the speeds and altitudes for the holds are the same as for the approach itself.
I suppose if you go to the right to circle around you can speed back up, though... You'll just have to slow down again. IMO, it's better to just remain configured for level at 90 knots/1800 feet and keep your eyes outside scanning for traffic.
My first Oshkosh I tried to stay behind one and wound up in a cross controlled stall. Frightening, but wound up uneventful.
Whatever you do - Don't do that. That isn't anyone else's fault but your own. If you end up in that situation, it means you should have peeled off and started over LONG before that point. Hard to make that decision on your first trip, but this is the warning to everyone: Be mentally prepared for ANYTHING, including peeling off and starting over. Safety first!
If things look that nuts peel off and land at another airport, there are a bunch nearby.
Absolutely. In fact, it's a good idea to pick your diversion airport before you take off on your last leg to OSH. If they put the holds into effect, they will saturate in 20-30 minutes so unless you already know that they're going to be opening the airport again soon (such as when they close for a few minutes for a military fly-by or something), you shouldn't hold, you should just divert right away.
Closest field is Brennand (79C), you should be able to get a ride from there. The new bail-out procedure, if it's given, sends you to KFLD which is one of the two official alternates with camping and bus transportation, the other being KATW to the north. Both are towered. If you need food, KSBM is the closest option with food on the field (taxi to the big gray hangar). Other nearby options for just waiting it out are New Holstein 8D1 across Lake Winnebago, Wautoma Y50 to the west, Waupaca KPCZ to the northwest (also has a strip club called The Landing Strip across the highway if you're into that sort of thing), and Juneau KUNU to the south. There's a bunch more airports just a little farther away; if you decide you're going to need a hotel overnight you'll have better luck heading to Madison KMSN, Waukesha KUES, or Timmerman KMWC as they're sufficiently populated and sufficiently far away that they won't be completely booked.
Honestly, I don't have any problems getting in most years, and I'm often alone. Go when it's good for you, be on your A game and be prepared to have a ball.
This. If you've only been to Sun 'n' Fun, don't be lulled into a false sense of security - I was appalled at how much you could get away with flying in there, and I sincerely believe that people who have flown into SnF are likely to be a bit surprised when they fly into Oshkosh. You *definitely* need to be on your A game going into Oshkosh and *know* the NOTAM. That way, you can roll with the punches when ATC needs you to, and keep your eyes out the window. That said, I don't want to intimidate anyone out of flying the arrival and landing at the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration - Every pilot should experience it, and after they do, come back and experience it again every year! It's my favorite week of the year, hands down.
