Oskosh 2015 w/the Chief

akpilot907 said:
Just so this doesn't make it a drift thread, depending on when you arrive, OSH may be filled up... Plan to park at their alternate field, Fon Du Lac... I think that's how you spell it...
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Fond Du Lac. At any time even if the field isn't full, be prepared to divert. I think Jay got put into the Rush Lake hold for an extended period. I was up at Brennand (Neenah) when they closed the field due to a crash. After listening to the backup of getting people down after they did reopen, I decided to just tie down up there (fortunately they had tie downs, mine were still back in my space at OSH) and have someone retrieve us in the car.
 
flyingron said:
Fond Du Lac. At any time even if the field isn't full, be prepared to divert. I think Jay got put into the Rush Lake hold for an extended period. I was up at Brennand (Neenah) when they closed the field due to a crash. After listening to the backup of getting people down after they did reopen, I decided to just tie down up there (fortunately they had tie downs, mine were still back in my space at OSH) and have someone retrieve us in the car.
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Not to mention, fuel... Make sure you plan for enough fuel to hold for a while...

Thanks for bringing that up! If I can recall, I believe the notam booklet mentions that too.
 
Pack only what you really need - which is a lot less than what many people would pack for a week
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Pack only what you really need - which is a lot less than what many people would pack for a week
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Good advice. The amount of missoon creep can surprise you. A buddy and I used to need 70 pounds of gear between us, including tools and tie downs. Solo, I took >100 lbs of stuff last year.

But for the OP, he's honna be so payload limited, he'll be bare bones by default.
 
flyingron said:
Fond Du Lac. At any time even if the field isn't full, be prepared to divert. I think Jay got put into the Rush Lake hold for an extended period. I was up at Brennand (Neenah) when they closed the field due to a crash. After listening to the backup of getting people down after they did reopen, I decided to just tie down up there (fortunately they had tie downs, mine were still back in my space at OSH) and have someone retrieve us in the car.
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Yup, that was our worst OSH. An accident closed the field, the controllers weren't forthcoming with any information (other than the field was temporarily closed) and more and more people just kept flying up the tracks into the Green and Rush Lake holds. It turned into quite a scrum, flying 3 abreast around the lakes.

Usually, however, it's easy as pie. :)

Edit: Since then, after all the complaints, the controllers have been much better about sharing information when the field closes.

Now, if we can get them to stop closing the entire field (instead of just the affected runway) every time someone ground loops, we will have made real progress. :)
 
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They did get 27 opened up fairly quickly, but when you first have an accident, you need to pretty much shut everything down until you get the emergency response taken care of. but even shutting down 36L/R is enough to really hose things up during the busy arrivals.
I was sitting in Neenah listening to liveATC on the computer there and finally decided, I'd never get in before the airshow started to close things down.
 
Regarding holds:

My rule of thumb is that I won't enter one. I'll leave and circle 10 miles away, I'll land somewhere, whatever. But I won't hold. It gets very crowded very fast, and there are a handful of idiots out there who aren't safe to hold near.

As someone who was delayed 3 hours trying to leave after last year's Breezy crash, I can tell you they did an awful job managing it. They continued allowing arrivals and allowed both trimotors to cycle about every 15-20 minutes, which greatly slowed the ability of aircraft to depart. There was little information available. Just a mess that could have been handled much more seamlessly.
 
Kyle,
This was a question I intended to pursue with you since I don't find it in whatever regular issue data I can find. Nothing to do with accidents but one possible scenario for me is arriving (this year) on the 19th then staying 3 Days and wanting to depart on the 23rd. Is there a standard procedure to arrange departure times during the period from 20th to 26th and what preliminary steps must I make ?
 
You need to look at the NOTAM for details, but the field is generally open for arrivals and departures beginning at 8 AM right up to the start of the airshow, then re-opens for departures following the show. A bit later, they begin allowing arrivals. Everything shuts down prior to dark.

Other than following the NOTAMED procedures, no special permissions are required for arrival or departure.
 
Yes, follow the NOTAM. VFR departures are straightforward. If you are in Vintage, get one of the orange vests to escort you prior to engine start. Note that on-field weather was a casualty of FAA funding cutting so use your cell to call FSS or your favorite provider you can get on your smart phone. Note, that if you are in Vintage (or the sourthern parts of custom) that we LOSE taxiway Papa sometimes in advance of the actual airshow as they start staging stuff on it, etc.... Do not push the airshow start times with your departure.

As Kyle mentions, the airport opens up as soon as the airshow is over and the crowds move back from the flight line a bit (sometimes takes up to 15 minutes).
 
OSH is a blast and one of the easiest VFR approaches you're going to find at a major event so no one should be scared of it.

One thing OP you can do if you've never flown it, is watch the FISK arrival into OSH videos on youtube and fly it in MFX before you go. That helped me a lot to know what to expect, and visually knowing things like where the gravel pit is etc...

Make note the nav fix for Fisk is FISKE. The Notams just call it FISK. You fly direct to RIPON/FISKE/OSH ... maintain radio silence ... Follow the NOTAM, stay a half-mile behind the guy ahead of you, and instructions. VFR into OSH is really simple and clean when you learn it. Go out and practice flying at 90knots and holding altitude. And do it heavy as you can. Because you're most likely going to be at gross or better when you go to OSH. You don't want to arrive into the OSH arena on empty tanks, so you're going to be landing heavy if you're like us because you stopped ahead and filled up. It may be the heaviest you've ever flown your plane if three or four people tag along with all their 'condensed' stuff. :redface:
 
txflyer said:
Follow the NOTAM, stay a half-mile behind the guy ahead of you, and instructions. VFR into OSH is really simple and clean when you learn it. Go out and practice flying at 90knots and holding altitude.:
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There is the OP's biggest challenge. He has a 75 knot aircraft. A rolling roadblock, if you will. I dearly wish they would create a separate approach for slower aircraft. Imagine the guy in the grossed out Cirrus trying to follow a J-3. No fun at all and risky to boot.
 
kyleb said:
Imagine the guy in the grossed out Cirrus trying to follow a J-3. No fun at all and risky to boot.
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Well that guy in the Cirrus shouldn't try that. If you can't stay behind the guy in front of you, just break off and go back to rejoin the arrival.
 
kyleb said:
There is the OP's biggest challenge. He has a 75 knot aircraft. A rolling roadblock, if you will. I dearly wish they would create a separate approach for slower aircraft. Imagine the guy in the grossed out Cirrus trying to follow a J-3. No fun at all and risky to boot.
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Same challenge in my Flybaby. I run the engine WOT at redline during the arrival which gives me about 80 knots. Luckily I have great visibility in all directions. That said the better your visibility the more terrifying the arrival is when you look at all the airplanes merging on each other that have absolutely no clue the conflicting airplane exists.
 
Looking for specific product references for Solar Chargers to be used at OSKOSH . Hopefully from individuals who have and are using such devices for similar application. My requirement will be for 1 IPad 2 and an iPhone 5. Have already searched on Google. Now looking for real people who have experience with some of the many devices available in real life.

Dale
 
Edgefly said:
Looking for specific product references for Solar Chargers to be used at OSKOSH . Hopefully from individuals who have and are using such devices for similar application. My requirement will be for 1 IPad 2 and an iPhone 5. Have already searched on Google. Now looking for real people who have experience with some of the many devices available in real life.

Dale
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Honestly you're way better off to just bring a nice big rechargeable battery with USB ports. Each airplane camping area has power outlets you can plug it into.

I plug mine in, leave it there, and pick it up a few hours later when it's charged. Tons of people doing the same thing. Nothing ever gets stolen but no promises :)

I'm personally comfortable leaving my iPhone charging at the chargers in the experimental camping area for hours unattended.
 
I leave my USB battery pack charging, but probably would not leave my iPhone. It would probably be fine, but I'm just paranoid.
 
dans2992 said:
I leave my USB battery pack charging, but probably would not leave my iPhone. It would probably be fine, but I'm just paranoid.
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I'd probably be a little more hesitant to do it in the north 40 area just because there's a lot of foot traffic. There's very very little foot traffic by the power station in homebuilt camping.
 
weirdjim said:
Why wouldn't the Cirrus just fly the 130 knot high approach?

Jim
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The notam says WTTE "Aircraft not capable of flying the normal (90 knot) approach should use the 130 knot approach". 90 knots should be manageable in a Cirrus, so that's where the NOTAM directs that airplane.
 
jesse said:
I'd probably be a little more hesitant to do it in the north 40 area just because there's a lot of foot traffic. There's very very little foot traffic by the power station in homebuilt camping.
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Vintage has a free charging service that is secure and uses a claim check system. You have to be a Vintage member to use it.

That said, I have a $35 battery pack I charge at Homebuilt Camping. I leave it unattended for part of the day, then grab it and charge my devices overnight. I figure I can afford to leave a cheap battery pack unattended. Not so much an i-Whatever...
 
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Two new questions:

Anyone aware of airports which allow/welcome camping for the trip into OSHKOSH in the region of norther Ill. Or SE Wisconsin ?

Any HAMs going to the big O ? Are any of you aware of relay tower availability at/near OSHKOSH ? Traveling companion would like to get on the air with a 2 M handheld while there.

Dale
 
What times during the day is the field typically open for arrivals?
 
dans2992 said:
What times during the day is the field typically open for arrivals?
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Generally 8AM-2 PM or thereabouts, and from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. All times subject to weather, airshow schedules, etc.
 
Edgefly said:
Two new questions:

Anyone aware of airports which allow/welcome camping for the trip into OSHKOSH in the region of norther Ill. Or SE Wisconsin ?

Any HAMs going to the big O ? Are any of you aware of relay tower availability at/near OSHKOSH ? Traveling companion would like to get on the air with a 2 M handheld while there.

Dale
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Hartford, KHXF, is 40 miles south and nobody would care if you pitched a tent for the night. But it's a few miles from town and all they have is vending machines.
 
Just a little feedback from me. Have purchased a backup battery from Aspect Solar for use generally but specifically to be sure that I'll have freshly charged IPad and iPhone for the trip to OSHKOSH and return home. It is a product numbered SB37^ which is a rechargeable battery with 10000 mAh capacity and having two 5VDC/2.1 USB outputs and comes with the AC adapter to recharge it.
Itis compatible with Solar Panels for backcountry camping etc. But I left them out for the moment. I did compare several alternative products but thought this best fit my needs. Hoping to locate a charging ing source in VAP to prepare for the return trip.

Dale
 
I will be flying in the Air Venture Cup race again this year. For those who haven't heard of it, check it out here airventurecuprace.com for more info. It is great fun and last year was my first time as a racer. My wife was my co-pilot and did an outstanding job calling out traffic on the approach into OSH. The race is a fun multi-day event leading up to the big event and it is very spouse friendly. The Friday before the big show we meet at the field the race is going from. This year that will be Mt Vernon IL. We have a social event that first night. Saturday we have an open house at the airport for the local community to come out and see all of the race planes. We do Young Eagles flights that morning and then have a pre-race dinner Saturday night. Sunday the race is on. It is a course to Wassau WI. Best time in your class wins. After the fine EAA folks at Wassau provide a great lunch, we fly the procedure into OSH. After arrival at OSH, you get to park right next to show center with all of the other race planes. It is too cool and great parking. That Sunday night we take a bus over to Wendt's for FREE BEER and dinner as well as the awards ceremony. The entry fee includes a one week wrist band as well as a discount price on a second one if you want. Lastly all classes can race. I raced my LSA last year and it was still incredibly fun.

I have flown the procedure into OSH three times now and actually got to go around last year for bad crosswinds, so I guess four actual approaches. It is very well documented and I found having my wife part of the crew both invaluable and a great way to make her an integral part of the flying team. We flew in from Colorado via South Dakota for the race to Wassau and then into the show. I highly recommend looking at the race if you want to enhance your OSH experience this year and meet a bunch of really cool folks in the process.

Carl
 
It's been a few years since I lugged my FT470 to Oshkosh (cell phones are much easier). We used to just use 52 for most stuff, there is a repeater 147.24 if you need further than on-field.
 
C37 Brodhead, WI. There is a Pietenpol flyin the weekend before Oshkosh and people camp there until Oshkosh and fly up


Edgefly said:
Two new questions:



Anyone aware of airports which allow/welcome camping for the trip into OSHKOSH in the region of norther Ill. Or SE Wisconsin ?



Any HAMs going to the big O ? Are any of you aware of relay tower availability at/near OSHKOSH ? Traveling companion would like to get on the air with a 2 M handheld while there.



Dale
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You guys that are all worried about charging your stuff, just stop by our site in the North 40. Every morning and evening we will have generators and charging stations running.

We will post our location for the annual HOPS Party, so you will know where we are!
 
OSHKOSH 2015 NOTAM available for download this AM
 
Edgefly said:
OSHKOSH 2015 NOTAM available for download this AM
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Looks like 2 new things to watch out for this year.

1. The Milwaukee Air & Water show is happening that week, so no VFR transitioning up the lakeshore. (Wow, is that ever stupid scheduling!)

2. Volk MOA (near Madison) is expected to be active. (Ditto my comments, above.)

Otherwise, everything looks to be the same simple, nearly bulletproof procedure.

I wonder how much EAA will have to pay FAA to show up this year?
 
It's stupid for them to try and even use the MOA. No doubt plenty of pilots will (legally) transition through it.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Looks like 2 new things to watch out for this year.

1. The Milwaukee Air & Water show is happening that week, so no VFR transitioning up the lakeshore. (Wow, is that ever stupid scheduling!)

2. Volk MOA (near Madison) is expected to be active. (Ditto my comments, above.)

Otherwise, everything looks to be the same simple, nearly bulletproof procedure.

I wonder how much EAA will have to pay FAA to show up this year?
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2 years ago EAA and the Milwaukee Air & Water Show were scheduled that same week. Thought that was stupid myself.
 
Where is the Milwaukee airshow? I'm usually way to the west of the airport (almost clear of the class C) when I turn direct OSHKOSH once I clear the CHICAGO class B.
 
flyingron said:
Where is the Milwaukee airshow? I'm usually way to the west of the airport (almost clear of the class C) when I turn direct OSHKOSH once I clear the CHICAGO class B.
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It's on the lakefront. Great show, BTW.

I have not idea why the TFR seems to extend to Kenosha (!) Airport, but it does. This could mess up a bunch of people.

We always swing out West.
 
THe TFR for last year was entirely north of Timmerman, is it different this year? I've not found anything on this years. They're having the T-birds rather than the Blues this year.
 
flyingron said:
THe TFR for last year was entirely north of Timmerman, is it different this year? I've not found anything on this years. They're having the T-birds rather than the Blues this year.
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It's mentioned in the NOTAM.
 
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