Oshkosh - 2019

I won't be in a fast-mover so that option is out, but being in slow flight for very long while also trying to maintain position is a lot of work. We are putting together a schedule and plan now, it's going to be OK.

Right now leaning towards a Sun-Wed visit.
 
You only have to slow down at RIPON once you began the approach. So unless you elect to do the hold if the airport is closed, it's a relatively quick flight from RIPON to the airport. 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'm scoping out the lay of the land, never been...yet. Where is GAC? Is that the North 40?

The "North 40" is all the camping/parking along 9/27. In the past, this was all the GAC and GAP parking (they'd start the parking on the northeast end working west and the campers at the southeast side working west until they overlapped). Since last year, there is additional space down south of Vintage called now the "South 40" (Vintage referred to it as Green Acres but that apparently didn't catch on). It is set up with showers and a camp store to accommodate more GAC.

The EAA goal is to not turn any aircraft away by next year.
 
The "North 40" is all the camping/parking along 9/27. In the past, this was all the GAC and GAP parking (they'd start the parking on the northeast end working west and the campers at the southeast side working west until they overlapped). Since last year, there is additional space down south of Vintage called now the "South 40" (Vintage referred to it as Green Acres but that apparently didn't catch on). It is set up with showers and a camp store to accommodate more GAC.

The EAA goal is to not turn any aircraft away by next year.
OK, I see that South 40 area now on the grounds map.

The sign in the window just says "GAC". Are aircraft directed to the closest area depending on arrival rwy and which side you exit?
 
OK, I see that South 40 area now on the grounds map.
Actually, you see the words "South 40," but the actual area it represents is off the right side of the map.

I don't know what their strategy is for assigning planes to the South 40. Last year we waited until the North 40 was full and then they told us to start sending GAC south. That's not a decision that's made at our level (Vintage), we just direct the GAP/GAC depending on what the honchos up north decide.
 
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.
 
Thanks for the feedback, Kent ( @flyingcheesehead ).

Still working out the logistics - airplane schedules and people schedules are still TBD. It might be a quick up and back early week hop, or a little more time on the back end of the week. Still depends on a lot of things coming together. If I were pretty sure about getting a GAC spot on a Tuesday arrival I'd feel better, so right now we are trying to work around that day - but then we run into airplane schedules and what plane will be available.

I'm playing out scenarios in my head, I might have that NOTAM memorized soon enough. I sure have enough highlighter on it already.

Hope to see you there!
 
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.

First, you left of the part of my post where I said “unless you are in the hold”. Second there is no hold around Rush Lake unless ATC establishes it. So disagree all you want, my point is you are free to speed up or maintain speed, go left or go right because outside of a mandated hold, a pilot initiated bailout is not governed by the NOTAM.
 
I don’t think I rate that board either, unless I lift a photo from the net.
 
Arrived around 8:30 am. The grounds are soaked and big storm is on the way. Tons of plans already here. No problem with the arrival this time but I expect after lunch the airport will be IFR with the coming storm.
 
Anyone on their way we have free beer at RYV. Look for the open T hangar with a Skywagon in it. We face the runway. All are welcome.
 
Just got in about 45 minutes ago. I’m all tied down now but there is a big storm that’s coming in now.
 
Starting to look like a repeat of 2015 and 2017, when the place got hammered with thunderstorms and drowned in rain on Saturday. On Sunday planes on the grass heading to GAC were getting buried in the soft spots in the swales off the runway, and had to be towed out. The pads under the tires of my Aztec were pressed well into the sod; at the end of the week I borrowed bigger tools than I had with me to dig them out to dispose of them.

I hope this blows through quickly and the rest of the week is dry and pleasant for ya'll!
 
67487250_10106974278916089_864937629513154560_n.jpg

This a friend’s campsite in Scholler
 
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This is going to be bad when it opens.
I imagine the remote airports are just queueing up.
 
Looks like they're letting everyone in now but they're making them taxi to the end of the runway instead of turning off early.
 
Looks like they're letting everyone in now but they're making them taxi to the end of the runway instead of turning off early.

Interesting. Everything else still says tundra or reserved parking only.


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I’m on the field and just listened to the ATIS. Grass is still closed except for tundra tires.
 
Listening to Fisk approach they are still turning people away without tundra tires or hard parking reservation. Campsite still closed.
 
I watching the ultralight feed, they're landing a bonanaza and a cherokee now. How challenging is it to get a hard surface parking reservation?
 
Listening to Fisk approach they are still turning people away without tundra tires or hard parking reservation. Campsite still closed.
Yep. “...non-compliant aircraft will be taxied back for departure. “
 
Someone asked and 36 tower controller just announced that grass parking probably won’t be open today.
 
A guy just said grass parking won't be available today
 
Its surprising how busy they are with the parking limitations. I imagine its going to be absolutely bonkers when they open the grass again.
 
All these pilots asking ATC to make decisions for them.

"Uh I have oversize tires, you think I could make it?"
"So you think we should go elsewhere or just hold at the lake for awhile?"
 
A couple of quick questions please, I figured I wouldn't get anyone at EAA to answer since they seem to be bailing out... I feel badly for all involved, but at least it happened before rather than during.
The EAA site isn't clear about one item in aircraft camping... the site says:
"All campsites must be paid for before setup. Always display proper camping credentials. Camping registration number must be easily visible."
So, I pay after I arrive? And when I arrive I have to go check in, purchase the camping and then I get to set up and place a sticker somewhere on the plane... is that the program? (First time going).
I plan on leaving Connecticut at daybreak this Weds. If I arrive late Wednesday... the night Airshow is from 8:00 -10:00 pm, and the daytime airshow ends at 6:30, with flights resuming 1/2 hour after the airshow ends. So, I only have a fly-in window between 7:00PM and 8:00PM on late Weds?
The next window available will be Thursday morning... arrivals beginning Thursday 7:00AM through the airshow start of 2:30. Do I have that all correct?
PS: The NOTAM was pretty clear on things. It is probably one of those items that "looks good on paper"...; ) Safe flying all... thank you in advance for replys...
 
A couple of quick questions please, I figured I wouldn't get anyone at EAA to answer since they seem to be bailing out... I feel badly for all involved, but at least it happened before rather than during.
The EAA site isn't clear about one item in aircraft camping... the site says:
"All campsites must be paid for before setup. Always display proper camping credentials. Camping registration number must be easily visible."
So, I pay after I arrive? And when I arrive I have to go check in, purchase the camping and then I get to set up and place a sticker somewhere on the plane... is that the program? (First time going).
I plan on leaving Connecticut at daybreak this Weds. If I arrive late Wednesday... the night Airshow is from 8:00 -10:00 pm, and the daytime airshow ends at 6:30, with flights resuming 1/2 hour after the airshow ends. So, I only have a fly-in window between 7:00PM and 8:00PM on late Weds?
The next window available will be Thursday morning... arrivals beginning Thursday 7:00AM through the airshow start of 2:30. Do I have that all correct?
PS: The NOTAM was pretty clear on things. It is probably one of those items that "looks good on paper"...; ) Safe flying all... thank you in advance for replys...

They seem pretty laid back about it. I landed yesterday and the storm was coming in so I got the plane tied down and jumped on a bus to go to a shelter. Didn’t get around to paying for camping until today. Did not seem like a big deal to them.
 
A couple of quick questions please, I figured I wouldn't get anyone at EAA to answer since they seem to be bailing out... I feel badly for all involved, but at least it happened before rather than during.
The EAA site isn't clear about one item in aircraft camping... the site says:
"All campsites must be paid for before setup. Always display proper camping credentials. Camping registration number must be easily visible."
So, I pay after I arrive? And when I arrive I have to go check in, purchase the camping and then I get to set up and place a sticker somewhere on the plane... is that the program? (First time going)...

This part is no problem. Once you land and taxi off the runway you'll be marshalled by ground volunteers to whatever area the sign you are displaying in your window says (per the NOTAM) - for camping it's 'GAC'. They will direct you right to a parking/camping spot and help get your airplane properly positioned, if it has to be tailed in. They do a generally good job, but you still need to be aware of ground conditions ahead of you, so don't let them accidentally direct you into someplace your plane should not go (it has happened - but usually pilots get in trouble because they don't pay attention to the marshallers and drive into a swampy hole all on their own).

After shutting down you can start unloading the plane and, if you want to, set up. I always put up my tents before heading down to the registration hut. You will need to go to the GAC registration hut, which is at the end of the camping area shuttle bus run, past the store and main shower building, where the entrance to the show grounds is located. If not sure just ask anyone, they'll point the way. Take your EAA membership card with you. You'll pay your entrance and camping fees, get a receipt plus your entrance wrist bands and a placard to attach to your tent or plane to show you have registered. They are pretty relaxed about it, as long as you get your registration done in the first few hours after you land - they are too busy parking airplanes (and this year pumping water).
 
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Just made it into Champaign, IL (CMI) with my son. Dodged thunderstorms all the way from central Mississippi. Was going to stop in south Chicago (KLOT) for the night, but there were severe storms all around it for most of the morning.
Fingers crossed OSH opens tomorrow. May end up getting a little closer in the morning as we’re about two hours away now.
 
Just made it into Champaign, IL (CMI) with my son. Dodged thunderstorms all the way from central Mississippi. Was going to stop in south Chicago (KLOT) for the night, but there were severe storms all around it for most of the morning.
Fingers crossed OSH opens tomorrow. May end up getting a little closer in the morning as we’re about two hours away now.

It’s certainly drying out as there is a lot of direct sunshine on the field right now. I’d be really surprised if they don’t open up the grass tomorrow.
 
That is exactly what I needed thank you GRG... all good.
I had the "Tundra Tires" attached, I could have gotten in today... basically a Cherokee 6 tire size on a Light Sport...
 
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