Once again the cork is in the bottle for the big event that brings thousands of aviation people to Oshkosh. This AirVenture was good as ever with respect to reviewing new products from the world's biggest trade show, attending interesting forums, looking at an unbelievable variety of airplanes, and watching the overall show. For over ten years I have provided an overview, but now you have the opportunity to live the AirVenture experience vicariously via the internet. So by now I am sure you have seen hundreds of photos, watched the videos and read countless reports. This certainly allows an in-depth look at your specific interest. Therefore there is not a lot more that can be added concerning AirVenture other than what, we as attendees, had in the way of personal experiences. So let me cover some 2009 experiences and some from my past years which drives many of us to attend Oshkosh every year.
The social aspect of Oshkosh is a big aspect for me. Seeing all the people from chapters 168 and 1246 plus all the many friends I only get to see at Oshkosh. As pictured above (left to right) Richard Wingfield, Michael Stephan, Dick Flunker, and I flew our RV's (Richard, Michael, and I flew -8's while Dick few his -6A with his wife Barbara) up on Friday with a tail wind and clear weather. Being early we got ideal parking places. Saturday and Sunday we set up our chairs near runway 27 and watched landings for hours. Richard and I would try to identify the make and model year of each plane (we were reliving our past favorite plane experiences) and Michael would do an N number look up via his iPhone and give us the correct answer. While we were conducting our guess-the-airplane game, a young lady walks up to us and introduces herself as being from Fox News. She wanted a short interview from Michael. Before we knew it, she had completed her ambush interview. There were three questions of a general nature and Michael gave really good general answers. I was sure that interview would end up on the cutting room floor, but about ten that evening, I got a call from Dick Flunker saying, "I just saw the three of you on the local news."
Ken Krebaum flew up to Milwaukee and picked up our rent car. For the last 25 years we have had a car which obviously increases our freedom to get around. Each evening with a car load of chapter locals, we select a restaurant in Oshkosh or Appleton which becomes the highlight of my day.
Early in the week we were gathering to make our plans for the evening, when the skies started to look a little threatening. As I was walking back to our airplanes I noticed a gusting whirl wind sweep down over Michael and Richards RVs. The whirl wind picked up a small portable information center between their airplanes and dropped it on the ground right in front of Richard's wing. To say the least, Richard was petrified. We all ran over to inspect for damage. The building was about three inches from the leading edge of his wing. It took four of us to roll it away from his RV. Michael's RV took a hit from the wind as his tail spring to wheel bolt was sheared.
Some of you have been curious about my long tenure of attending Oshkosh yet there are many others who have attended Oshkosh since the early 1970s. Let me mention some of them. Our earliest convention pioneer is Tom Ferraro as he started his long series in 1968 at Rockford. He would be consecutive up to this year but he missed 1988 because of a move to Dallas. He flew his very nice Skybolt to Oshkosh in 1978 and won Honorable Mention (the number of trophies was considerable less in those days). Then in 2003 he took his restored Pacer to Oshkosh and won a Bronze Lindy. Tom had a pleasant surprise this year as his friend and co-worker, Mark Gilmore, from his days in Muncie, Indiana showed up with a Marquart Charger. Mark's "Gilmore Red Lion" was judged grand champion, plans built. Tom gave Mark a ride in his Skybolt many years ago and the rest is history. Many of us felt that this Charger was the nicest homebuilt we have seen in many years.
Next is Mike Hance who started in 1972 with his Oshkosh trips and has a very active story to tell with his relationship with EAA. Mike Hance presented his adventures at a recent EAA 1246 meeting.
My story starts in 1973 when Larry Hite came by my desk at TI and said, "Let's drive to Oshkosh". Two days later we were on the flight line enjoying something we could never have imagined. We camped very near where Van has his vendor tent today. I had to go the next year. So Pat and I flew up in a TI Flying Club Skyhawk (I never drove after 73) in 1974. On the way up and back we could not figure out why she felt a little nauseated. Seven months later our daughter Shauna was born. I have many memories of that trip, especially the long line (have never seen a longer line since) of planes landing on 27 after the air show. Can you believe we stayed in the dorm for six dollars a night? In May of 1975, Ken Krebaum and I bought a Cessna Cardinal so naturally we flew it to Oshkosh in 1975. This was Ken's first time to Oshkosh. Therefore, this year's Oshkosh marks my 37th consecutive and Ken's 35th consecutive time.
Thirty-five consecutive times to Oshkosh is also the milestone for Howard Walrath. Both he and Mike Hance have the jackets with yearly patches to prove it. Now this is even better. Joanne has gone with Howard every time except two when she absolutely could not make it. Howard came to a 168 meeting in 1975 and got so charged up he make the pilgrimage to Oshkosh. He loaded his family into a Cherokee Six and spent 3 days in "Mecca".
I am sure there are other very early 1970s consecutive attendees to Oshkosh from our area so if you are one, let me know. So why do we keep going every year? First, it is a great way to escape the summer heat and enjoy a cool vacation week. Over the years Ken and I have enjoyed the many people who have made the trip with us and the ones we have met at Oshkosh. We had a great time in 1979 when Keith Windship flew my Sonerai up to the show. By the way, it won a trophy for best auto powered homebuilt. Another exciting time was when Ken flew his Ryan PT-22 and Rod Johannsen flew his Luscomb to Oshkosh. At least it was exciting for them in many ways. Then we have been seeing the locals, John and Pat Kerrigan (President Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh) for the last four years. This was my chance meeting at dorm..
This early 70's fraternity has been witness to everything "really big" in aviation, because anything that is big happens at Oshkosh. That includes seeing unbelievable aircraft and seeing people who have are icons in all aspects of aviation.
We were all there in 1975 to see the VW powered VariEze as designed by Burt and flown by Dick Rutan. This was the start of history making as Burt proceeded to bring seventeen more designs to Oshkosh. The White Knight Two being this year's masterpiece. See Sport August Aviation for a great summary. It is hard to imagine that we have followed Burt's career for 35 years.
Did you know that 1977 was the year of the first VLJ? Some 33 year before the Eclipse jet the Foxjet was unveiled with much fanfare. It had two Williams's jet engines but in the end, it never made it past marketing mockups.
Jimmy Franklin's first air show at Oshkosh, which took place in the late 1970's, will always stick in my mind. Jimmy took off in his modified Waco for his air show routine with everyone lying in the grass half asleep. In no time, the crowds were on there feet being thrilled and amazed. His loops went below the level of the runway in the grass area. Everything was on the edge. After he parked a crowd gathered. Word was that the EAA officials were not happy. You may remember in 2005 there was a terrible accident involving Bobby Younkin and Jimmy Franklin. This year in 2009 we had the Sons of Legends, Matt Younkin and Kyle Franklin putting on an air show very much like there dads.
Jumping ahead to 2003, the most "incredible" airplane was unveiled. It was the replica Hughes H1 Racer Built by Steve Wolf and owned by Jim Wright. I am still remembering the moment I saw it. This H1 may be the most outstanding (historic owner, history making racer, a movie airplane, workmanship, an unbelievable build story both times, etc.) plane I have seen at Oshkosh. It had all the elements of wow. Jim and the H1 were unfortunately lost on their way back to Oregon.
For 1991 the Oshkosh theme was the Golden Age of Air Racing. Delmar Benjamin trucked in his nearly completed Gee Bee R-2 racer replica. Everyone was speculating on how it would fly and how long Delmar would last. After all, there was a little history. The next year he thrilled us with an aerobatic routine that was totally amazing.
Those are just some of my big ticket memories of Oshkosh. 35 years of Oshkosh generate enough memories to relive everything aviation from 1903 up to now. And the people, the first timers we met this year and all the aviation legends are just as important as the airplanes. Now just think, Michael Stephan just completed his 3rd year and has now flown to Oshkosh twice in his RV 8. So he has a good start on 35 consecutive? As you have guessed, Oshkosh is addictive for some of us. It is a great experience each year. I am looking forward to next year.
