Oshkosh or bust...trip planning

[AGLyme]

Based in Chester CT (KSNC). About 900 miles to OSH. Recently acquired an iPad and ForeFlight, and planning away... what a great technology. Worlds different than the kitchen table planning I did as a kid.
Retired and Re-upped my PPL after a 36 years life break from flying this past year, Bought a Flight Design which is a comfortable and economical airplane to fly cross country. Dynon A/P is easy to manage and the “Traffic” info is an A+ safety item. Downloaded the OSH Notam and watched a zillion approach videos and viewed lots of OSH posts.. thanks to the people who took the time to post.
Weather permitting, my plan is to fly the majority of the journey in a single leg, and make it into OSH in a short flight super early in the AM. Set up the tent and just go with the flow.
I took screen shots of the ForeFlight plan. At 6,500 feet I only have a couple of reporting obstacles. I plan on using flight following the whole way.
A flying pal strongly recommends I arrive on Wednesday to avoid the throng. I wanted to get there early to watch the incoming planes, given my experience level I should probably arrive in light traffic.
Very excited, if you see anything stupid in my planning I’d be grateful for a heads up. Thanks in advance.

 

[Lowflynjack]

Very excited, if you see anything stupid in my planning I’d be grateful for a heads up. Thanks in advance.

Sounds exactly like my plan, except for the Wednesday part! I arrive on Saturday and it's not too bad. I highly recommend the part where you're stopping short and getting a hotel room for one last night of comfort. Maybe I'll see you there.

 

[MD11Pilot]

Weather permitting, we try to arrive on Friday afternoon before the Monday opening. Saturday at the latest but two years ago with the weather we had to arrive on Sunday and follow in the mass arrivals that were a day late due to weather...what a goat rope. Half of the worlds airplanes (and most couldn't fly the speeds on the notam if their life depended on it). Just be flexible, have plenty of fuel and study the notam (I make a cheat sheet of the frequencies etc.) keep your eyes and ears open and relax.

Know YOUR power settings for the speeds and fly them...because the majority don't. Pack for heat, rain, snow and good shoes and a light weight folding chair. If this is your first time....I was advised on my first trip...you cannot see it all in one trip. You will develop your favorite areas over the coming years.

Welcome back to flying and as the controllers will say up there "Welcome to Oshkosh"!

 

[Badger]

Double check dates, I believe the Fisk approach procedure doesn't apply until Friday.

 

[sourdough44]

I’d do the Chicago lakefront for a shortcut. Wednesday before the start seems awful early? Yes, you need some weather fudge in the schedule, not that much.

Another option is to arrive midweek Wednesday, following week. The Wed prior seems like a lot of dead time before things ramp up. But do whatever your desires dictate. Later week, 0715 at RIPON is usually fairly quiet. If weather is uncooperative, it will bunch things up a lot once things clear up.

By all means, fly on over.

 

[Clip4]

Your plan has you stopping after a 418 NM flight at 3G3. Suggest you stop BJJ, fuel is cheaper and you can pre arrange a courtesy car.

 

[tsts4]

Know YOUR power settings for the speeds and fly them...because the majority don't. Pack for heat, rain, snow and good shoes and a light weight folding chair. If this is your first time....I was advised on my first trip...you cannot see it all in one trip. You will develop your favorite areas over the coming years.

To piggyback, practice slow fight and short-field landings (at or near GW if you can). As you undoubtedly have read, the pattern and approach to landing on a "dot" isn't what you'll most folks are used to so make sure you knock off any rust before flying to the show.

 

[AGLyme]

Wow, thanks for all the comments and advice... to clarify the "Wednesday", sorry... I meant Wednesday -- during show week. I am debating leaving say Friday, arriving early Saturday AM, or, leaving on Tuesday during show week, arriving Weds during the show (my pal told me that the arrivals are far fewer than the mass arrivals on Sunday/Monday...

And yes, I am practicing short field, cross wind, flight following, class D, and of course navigation -- getting the bugs out of my brain re Dynon and Foreflight.

thank you again, what a great forum.

 

[Baron62]

Yes, Foreflight is a great tool and you will not be lost. So much easier to plan now. Make sure that you remain flexible due to weather. I flew VFR from CT to OSH last year in my Archer and had to overnight 2 nights due to low clouds. Bring tie downs for OSH.

 

[tsts4]

Are you camping too?

 

[AGLyme]

Another clarification, I plan on flying 8-9 hours on leg 1, target arrival is "KETB", near OSH, resting up, fueling up, and then flying the short leg in the early AM). I don't know why the foreflight is showing first a Majenta line, then a blue one... never seen that before, I'm sure I toggled something I didn't mean to...

Yup, bought "The Claw" tie down system... it's heavy, but worth it I hear. My plane burns 3.5 galls/hr, and she holds 34 gallons.

 

[AGLyme]

Yes, I think the OSH experience requires the camping program...; )... have a tent, sleeping bag, mat, chair, need to plan the other stuff... The Flight Design has a decent baggage compartment for an overnight flight (110 lbs in the back), however, it doesn't have a lot of room, so I will remove the passenger seat which is easy to do in the FD. Can't wait.

 

[tsts4]

Cool!
If you search you can come up with a good list of stuff to bring, but here's some universal items:

- Credit Card
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes, preferably 2 pairs
- Hat
- Jacket/hoodie (the cool night temps might not be an issue for you but for us Floridians, it can get uncomfortably chilly)
- Shower/personal hygiene kit
- Shower shoes/flip-flops
- Towels
- Phone
- Phone Charger
- Sun glasses
- Baby wipes
- Ear plugs
- flashlight (I like the headlamp type to keep my hands free)
- Emergency tool kit
- good tie-downs ( you have this taken care of already)

Besides your camping gear, you might want to have a dry bag or something you can keep stuff dry in unless you are 100% confident in the waterproof capabilities of your tent or you leave all your stuff in the plane. The bottom line is be prepared for all seasons in one day!

 

[Clip4]

Yes, I think the OSH experience requires the camping program...; )... have a tent, sleeping bag, mat, chair, need to plan the other stuff... The Flight Design has a decent baggage compartment for an overnight flight (110 lbs in the back), however, it doesn't have a lot of room, so I will remove the passenger seat which is easy to do in the FD. Can't wait.

Not the Oshkosh experience until it rains and you got wet gear. Don’t forget a rain coat.

 

[AGLyme]

Rain coat and baby wipes...; )... got it !

Thanks guys...

 

[Datadriver]

A flying pal strongly recommends I arrive on Wednesday to avoid the throng.

If you arrive in the morning it's not crazy. We used to overnight about an hour away the day before then fly in the AM.

 

[Lowflynjack]

Cool!
If you search you can come up with a good list of stuff to bring, but here's some universal items:

Besides your camping gear, you might want to have a dry bag or something you can keep stuff dry in unless you are 100% confident in the waterproof capabilities of your tent or you leave all your stuff in the plane. The bottom line is be prepared for all seasons in one day!

You forgot beer!

Honestly one of the funniest moments I had at my first Oshkosh revolved around beer. I was assigned to take photos of Sean Tucker and Clay Lacy giving a tribute to Bob Hoover. Once it was over and I cornered them for a few more shots, my day was done. I headed back to my camp in Vintage and stopped at the first restaurant that was open. They were just about to close and had the tent almost zipped up, but I got a sandwich and 3 beers. I had visions of sitting under the plane, shoes off, kicked back and relaxing. At the exit of the fenced in area for the restaurant, a security guard stopped me. She told me I couldn't take the beer out of there! I laughed and asked how long she was going to be there and she said until everyone was gone, so I sat down and got to know her while drinking my beer and eating.

You can bring beer in by plane, you can carry beer in the gate from outside, but you can't take beer out of the fenced in restaurant areas. Not sure how this makes sense, but know it's the law and prepare!

 

[ytodd]

If you go around the west side of Chicago versus the lake shore VFR corridor why go back east to KETB? Fuel is cheaper at Ft. Atkinson (61C). Also, your flight plan shows direct to KOSH and you really need to follow the NOTAM by proceeding to Ripon. Should look like this.

 

[tsts4]

You forgot beer!

Ha! Yes and no. A lot of guys don't have the useful load for beer so I left it off this list. My own personal packing list, however, usually includes 2 cases to cover sitt'n around the plane drink'n, the HBC beer tasting (Sunday, 5:00PM @ the HBC pavilion for those who might be interested-- admission is a 6-pack per person, preferably a local brew from back home), and our contribution to the HOPS party- https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/com...-annual-h-o-p-s-party-in-the-north-40.119256/

 

[AGLyme]

Good point about the beer... didn’t think that one through... food too... it’s vacation so I plan to eat a lot and often.. how easy is it to buy a pack of beer and ice while staying at the campground ?

It must be cool working with those aviation icons. I saw Bud Anderson speak once.

 

[tsts4]

Good point about the beer... didn’t think that one through... food too... it’s vacation so I plan to eat a lot and often.. how easy is it to buy a pack of beer and ice while staying at the campground ?

It must be cool working with those aviation icons. I saw Bud Anderson speak once.

Ice can be had at multiple locations although for you the North 40 camp store will most likely be the best option. They sell beer there too, but the selection is limited. However, you can take the shuttle/Uber/walk to Target and get whatever you need--of course you have to haul it back. If you'd rather just hang out, SOS Bros, the bar in Sleepy Hollow, and Friar Tucks are options too (and they all serve food), you just have to drink there just like at the EAA restaurants on the grounds.

 

[Lowflynjack]

Ha! Yes and no. A lot of guys don't have the useful load for beer so I left it off this list.

Blasphemy...

It must be cool working with those aviation icons. I saw Bud Anderson speak once.

Volunteering for EAA is a lot of work, but it has it's perks. So far I've met astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Frank Borman, Walt Cunningham, Joe Engle, Fred Haise, Jim Lovell, & Al Worden. Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Harry Steward. B-17 ball-turret gunner Doug Ward. Stan Lee, Sean Tucker, Clay Lacy, Patty Wagstaff, and probably many more I'm forgetting!

 

[baboss]

EAA has their annual Tips for Flying Into Airventure webinar this evening at 7pm Central.
Registration here: http://pages.eaa.org/WBN2019-06-11TipsforFlyingIntoEAAAirVenture2019_LP-Registration.html
"EAA's volunteer NOTAM Chairman Fred Stadler shares some hints and tips for reducing your pilot workload when flying into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. Discussion will highlight the special requirements and procedures of the FAA-issued NOTAM including changes made for this year."

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

Bring extra socks! You can dry the wet ones on the prop if necessary.

 

[AGLyme]

Just signed up for that webinar, thank you for sending the link !
That's a creative clothes line...

 

[Lowflynjack]

Bring extra socks! You can dry the wet ones on the prop if necessary.

I always bring way more socks than I think I'll need. Nothing like wet feet to ruin your day. Also I bring flip flops for around camp to let me feet dry/air out. Also great for those late night runs to the restroom.

 

[Groundpounder]

I'm going to OSH for the first time this year, and I am doing the overnight thing near-ish to OSH as well. I'm leaving from Concord NH, stopping near Rochester NY for gas and lunch, then going to Cadillac MI for the night. I plan on leaving there to arrive over RIPON at 0700 Tuesday morning. Hopefully it isn't too nuts, and if it is I have no shame in bailing out and going to FDL. I have the advantage to you in being able to go IFR, but a nice line of Thunderstorms will keep everyone on the ground. Looking forward to the trip, its going to be me and my 76 year old dad.

 

[AGLyme]

Going with Dad will be a blast... and yes I wish I had IFR plane capability and a certification, one day...

 

[tsts4]

I'm going to OSH for the first time this year, and I am doing the overnight thing near-ish to OSH as well. I'm leaving from Concord NH, stopping near Rochester NY for gas and lunch, then going to Cadillac MI for the night. I plan on leaving there to arrive over RIPON at 0700 Tuesday morning. Hopefully it isn't too nuts, and if it is I have no shame in bailing out and going to FDL. I have the advantage to you in being able to go IFR, but a nice line of Thunderstorms will keep everyone on the ground. Looking forward to the trip, its going to be me and my 76 year old dad.

If you decide you want to go IFR, make sure you understand the IFR procedures in the NOTAM. OSH and all of the surrounding airports will be operating under STMP which means you have to have an IFR arrival reservation for the period the OSH NOTAM is in effect. No reservation then no clearance. The slots open up 72 hrs in advance and there’s only 4 per hour in 15 min blocks IIRC and they go quickly for OSH, less so for other airports. The kicker is after you reserve a slot you have to reconfirm it no earlier than 24 hrs prior and no later than 12 hours prior or you lose the slot.

I typically go IFR to OSH but last year was the first year I actually stayed IFR all the way and shot an approach. Good thing too as this enabled me to avoid the goat rope later that weekend. In previous years it was good VFR wx so I canceled when I got close and joined the VFR arrival IAW the NOTAM. Outbound I depart VFR and follow the procedure for an airborne IFR pickup and that’s worked really well for me.

 

[BrianNC]

I took screen shots of the ForeFlight plan.

In case you didn't have that chart legend showing on purpose, if you click on settings (the gear icon at the top of FF), and scroll to the very bottom of the list to 'Map Touch Action', tap on that and choose 'No action'. If you did do it on purpose, never mind.

 

[AGLyme]

Brian, no, I didn't intend to reveal the chart legend, it was actually driving me crazy, nor did I know how to ask for help in the Foreflight database... "how do I get rid of the Sectional chart in the middle of the map?" probably wouldn't work... appreciate your post.
I did see the NOTAM webinar last eve, it was very helpful... brings the whole confusing subject together in one sitting. I hope they load it on the EAA website so I can review it again before I shove off.

 

[baboss]

I did see the NOTAM webinar last eve, it was very helpful... brings the whole confusing subject together in one sitting. I hope they load it on the EAA website so I can review it again before I shove off.

Here's a link to the recorded webinar: https://eaa.org/Videos/Webinars#.XQEuwKAH9ZU.link

 

[AGLyme]

Trip planning underway... stupid question #1:
So, if I want to park the plane overnight at a non-towered airport on the way to OSH, do I or should I call the FBO ahead and plan for a space to park? Prefer a hangar overnight... or, do I just get there and if the FBO Manager is there, work it out, or, if he/she is not, do I tie the airplane down and deal with the landing fees (if any) the next day? I don't know what the customs and FBO Manager preferences are. Thank you in advance.

 

[tsts4]

Trip planning underway... stupid question #1:
So, if I want to park the plane overnight at a non-towered airport on the way to OSH, do I or should I call the FBO ahead and plan for a space to park? Prefer a hangar overnight... or, do I just get there and if the FBO Manager is there, work it out, or, if he/she is not, do I tie the airplane down and deal with the landing fees (if any) the next day? I don't know what the customs and FBO Manager preferences are. Thank you in advance.

In my experience if you want to overnight in a hangar best to call ahead and check on availability and/or fee. Typically tying down on the ramp doesn’t require a call ahead and runs from free, to free with fuel purchase, to a fee no matter what but usually is not something exorbitant—smaller airports are your friend here.

I typically overnight on the ramp and only call/e-mail ahead larger FBOs at big city airports, After arrival I check with the FBO to see where they want me to park. More often than not someone either marshalls me in or comes out while I’m fueling and I ask them then. Twice during incoming severe weather I’ve been offered free hangar space and once for a $20 fee.

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

Trip planning underway... stupid question #1:
So, if I want to park the plane overnight at a non-towered airport on the way to OSH, do I or should I call the FBO ahead and plan for a space to park? Prefer a hangar overnight... or, do I just get there and if the FBO Manager is there, work it out, or, if he/she is not, do I tie the airplane down and deal with the landing fees (if any) the next day? I don't know what the customs and FBO Manager preferences are. Thank you in advance.

Best to call ahead. That said, I've been blessed by the kindness of strangers at a couple of smaller dromes en route to Osh. On a couple of occasions I've shown up unannounced and was offered free hangar space and courtesy cars. Small town airports (and people) are the best.

 

[Dana]

I've never called ahead though I suppose one could, especially if you want a hangar (but why worry about that if you're going to spend a week tied down outside at OSH?). If nobody's around and there are no spots labeled "transient", just look for a spot with no ropes in the rings or old faded ones (so it's not a spot assigned to somebody who happens to be away), and use your own ropes. Landing fees at small airports are rare, some charge overnight, some don't. If you plan to camp overnight, the smaller the airport the better, grass fields even better. I also look for airports with restaurants within walking distance if I'm staying overnight. My MO is to look for grass fields along the way first, then paved if no grass, and use google earth to see what's around the airport. And be flexible... it sounds like a long day of flying, you may well want to stop much earlier.

 

[murphey]

Not the Oshkosh experience until it rains and you got wet gear. Don’t forget a rain coat.

And cash.

 

[sourdough44]

I wouldn’t worry about a bunch of contacts or calls before heading out, adjust on the fly. Most any airport within an hour of RIPON know planes are enroute. Maybe check with camping if that’s the idea.

Many plans need to be adjusted with the weather present on the days of travel. Have some leeway in the plan & come on over. If weight is an issue, plenty of beer for sale in WI. There’s always a way to make the trip to the local store once in position.

 

[Banjo33]

That picture above reminds me of a question I had: is there any restriction on size of tent you can have at OSH? It’ll be my son and I, but we own a Taj-Mah-tent, that seems much bigger than those little dome jobs I keep seeing in photos, lol.

 

[AGLyme]

Thank you guys, that's a relief that the airports/Managers are flexible. Can't wait to go.