Oshkosh 2025

[murphey]

Never too soon! I start thinking about Oshkosh about the moment my wheels leave the pavement on the field (even though that's usually on the ground these days). We are past the winter solstice of aviation, OSH25 is closer than OSH24 so I'm getting excited. This will be my 21st overall, 20th in a row, and 19th in a row being on the field for the whole week.

Huh? That sounds like a slight. Santa Claus would not be pleased.

But seriously, wondering what you mean by that comment? I'm not old enough to have been to Woodstock.

If you remember Woodstock, you weren't there.

 

[murphey]

Looked into this last year. Day passes were a couple hundred bucks, week was about a grand. Per person.

Aviators Club amenities include:

Air conditioning and outdoor shade
Breakfast and lunch served daily
Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages during the day
Reserved air show seating outside on the flightline at show center
Dinner for Wednesday's night air show and Saturday's night air show
Electronics charging station and bag storage
Restroom facilities with air conditioning and flush toilets

Isn't that for EAA life members at no additional charge? I dunno. I used to get a press pass, there was always food and AC in the Press Tent. I gave away the pass to a friend who's doing seminars for the FAA on mountain flying.

Not planning on going this year. Been there 10-12 times, 2023 completely burned me out, at least for a few years.

 

[murphey]

Watch these videos from EAA: Click Here. My first year flying in, I watched every video I could find on YouTube and when I arrived, it all looked familiar.

Print the NOTAM, highlight the important parts. Throw away the sheets you don't need. For me, I throw out Seaplane, IFR, etc. You can highlight a lot of things before you even print it out, then highlight anything else you think is important.

On the morning you're flying in, listen to ATIS to determine which Transition Point they're starting at and which runways are in use. Pull out the two sheets that have the Runways in use and have them at the top of the stack for quick reference. Don't forget to breathe!

Here's an example of what I have printed for landing on RWYs 36L/R. Quick and easy reference for when things get overwhelming.
View attachment 137862

Before you go, practice short field and practice spot landings.

 

[Lowflynjack]

Isn't that for EAA life members at no additional charge? I dunno. I used to get a press pass, there was always food and AC in the Press Tent. I gave away the pass to a friend who's doing seminars for the FAA on mountain flying.

Not planning on going this year. Been there 10-12 times, 2023 completely burned me out, at least for a few years.

Similar but different! As an EAA Lifetime Member, there is a similar location, with AC and a fenced off area you can watch the show from, but the Aviator's Club is an area anyone can pay to get into.

 

[flyingtexas]

I've been several times. The first time I stayed in a hotel about 40 minutes south. It was nice, but expensive and inconvenient. We flew in with a friend and our respective wives. We didn't land at KOSH, but at a smaller airport north of Milwaukee. The next year I flew commercial and stayed at the university. I channeled my flat broke college years and microwaved dinners in the dorm room. I rented a car, and that was a story. In a moment of uncharacteristic foresight, I documented every paint chip and wheel scrape on the car, including the deep stains on all four seats. Month later, they sent be a bill for about $200 for interior cleaning. I sent them the pix and said take THIS! The next year I flew in with a group of friends, took the shuttle to and from the show, and ate at the dining hall with friends. There is no easier and more convenient way to see Oshkosh than that.

can you tell me which town you stayed in? and how was traffic coming and going from the show?

 

[schmookeeg]

It's been 10 years. I figure I may pop over. Doing B2Osh training next weekend to join the mass beech arrival.

I hate camping though, so I need to rustle up a room across from Basler.

 

[LesGawlik]

can you tell me which town you stayed in? and how was traffic coming and going from the show?

I think it was Ashford, off of Rte 41. The traffic was no problem until you got close to the show. That is true for leaving, too. Once you got on the highway it was not difficult at all.

 

[LesGawlik]

I will say that the police and show organizers make it as painless as possible to get to the parking lots. When driving, it will take 10-15 minutes to go from the highway to parking, depending on the lot, but that is very good considering the volume of traffic they have to handle. The only rough spot was coming back to the show in the evening on the bus. I was staying at the University and took the bus to the evening show. The traffic is limited to "exit only" at that time of day, and the busses had to go south of the airport and loop around the west side. It was about and hour.

 

[Pugs]

Looking forward to it. Waitlist for the dorms but I have no issues camping for. couple days either.

It'll be different for me in the Archer this time. I flew an EA-6B into the show in 96 and standing around for three days in nomex wasn't great but I have sure wanted to get back. I'll bring snacks and NH beer for anyone who stops by!

 

[mcdewey]

I’m coming this year for the 14th (I think) year. Items of note
o Flying with my buddy in his 172. He’ll fly the FISK approach. I did last time. It’s a hoot.
o I’m setting up the Irish music session on Thursday night with the Flying Musicians Association again.
o Camping in North 40 again
o I got a cot to replace my traitorous air mattress. It would be flat by 2 in the morning. This made me sad.
o Looking forward to the podcaster’s session again. Great to see Martin Pauly, Aviation 101’s Josh and Chelsea, and Just Playne Silly’s Bryan and all the other talented people in person.
o I go to lots of seminars. Too poor to go for rides or get into the EAA tents.

 

[MacFlier]

I’ll be going with a friend staying at the dorms this time. We may go in a Bonanza or AA… still deciding that part.

 

[Lowflynjack]

It's going to be a great year. Two B-29s, two Goodyear blimps, two Christen Eagles (more than two, but two in the NextGen Eagles team), hopefully a ME-262, Wolf Pitts, and much more!

My friend's RV-3 is on the poster!

 

[EvilEagle]

Starting to get excited!

 

[painless]

Excited is an understatement. The emotions involved with taking 13 years to build a homebuilt and hopefully flying it into Airventure this year are indescribable.

 

[Dave Theisen]

I want to see the two blimps do aerial bumper cars.

 

[EvilEagle]

Excited is an understatement. The emotions involved with taking 13 years to build a homebuilt and hopefully flying it into Airventure this year are indescribable.

I can only imagine! One day I'll finish my Moose and I'll bring it to Osh too!

 

[Ed Haywood]

Excited is an understatement. The emotions involved with taking 13 years to build a homebuilt and hopefully flying it into Airventure this year are indescribable.

Awesome! That's why Oshkosh exists.

 

[CJones]

I want to see the two blimps do aerial bumper cars.

I feel like I've seen Bugs Bunny and Daddy duck try that. Or at least they should have...

 

[Lowflynjack]

I want to see the two blimps do aerial bumper cars.

I think their first air-to-air rule is the same as mine.... don't touch me!

I did a very distant air-to-air with them as I passed by the other day!

 

[keen9]

Excited is an understatement. The emotions involved with taking 13 years to build a homebuilt and hopefully flying it into Airventure this year are indescribable.

It is indescribable. Hope the crew at homebuilt HQ has been warming up their vocal chords when you get there! I'll never forget when I did it after a 12 year build in 2017.

 

[WDD]

I want to see the two blimps do dog fighting

FIFY

1) Would be the most interesting dog fight in history.

2) Would be similar to watching a cricket match - taking so long it could involve a break for afternoon tea.

 

[Ed Haywood]

1) Would be the most interesting dog fight in history.

I googled this and was disappointed it has never happened.

However, I did find a story about a US blimp shot down by a German submarine near Florida. Bet that was a wild ride.

 

[WDD]

I googled this and was disappointed it has never happened.

People Googling blimp dog fighting …… this is why I hang out here.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I want to see the two blimps do aerial bumper cars.

This is getting close to Rule 34 territory.

 

[Lowflynjack]

People Googling blimp dog fighting …… this is why I hang out here.

All of this talk about the Goodyear Blimps and dogfighting got me surfing the web. I found this story in Car and Driver.

The first line in the story had me laughing! "Goodyear's newest-generation Blimp doesn't ferry passengers from one place to another, nor does it carry cargo anywhere, engage in dogfights with other blimps, or drop bombs."

There is also this story, that talks about how one of them will get a retro scheme. Wondering if it will be one that appears at OSH.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Where do I sign up for blimp formation flying?

 

[Gilbert Buettner]

Where do I sign up for blimp formation flying?

Your local Goodyear dealer.

 

[Gilbert Buettner]

Your local Goodyear dealer.

And bring your certificates and logbook, please.

 

[WDD]

Where do I sign up for blimp formation flying?

If the Good Year blimp flew the FISK Arrival, would there still be someone in front of it going slower?

 

[flyingcheesehead]

If the Good Year blimp flew the FISK Arrival, would there still be someone in front of it going slower?

I just want to know how you maintain a half mile in trail from something that's a half mile long.

 

[LesGawlik]

I have a question about amenities. I am going this year and staying at the university. I don't think it opens until Sunday. I am considering flying. I don't want to fly in during the mass arrival. I was thinking about flying in Friday.

Question - when are the portable showers and bathrooms usually set up? Would they be on site as of Friday? I could spend two nights in the plane, or under a wing and survive on MREs. I wouldn't be renting a car, so off field travel would be by bus or ride share.

Is this the best plan? Could I find a reasonably priced hotel for the two nights before Airventure? Does the uni open up early?

 

[Lowflynjack]

I have a question about amenities. I am going this year and staying at the university. I don't think it opens until Sunday. I am considering flying. I don't want to fly in during the mass arrival. I was thinking about flying in Friday.

Question - when are the portable showers and bathrooms usually set up? Would they be on site as of Friday? I could spend two nights in the plane, or under a wing and survive on MREs. I wouldn't be renting a car, so off field travel would be by bus or ride share.

Is this the best plan? Could I find a reasonably priced hotel for the two nights before Airventure? Does the uni open up early?

Yes, they're setup by Friday. I've gone in on Friday several times, and as early as Thursday once. There is even some food and last year a new vendor was there that was allowed to sell food/beer early.

The only thing you can't do is go into Boeing Plaza or the vendor buildings since they're setting everything up.

 

[LesGawlik]

Thank you! Next question if you would be so kind- When do the shuttles start running between the university and the airshow?

 

[WDD]

Thank you! Next question if you would be so kind- When do the shuttles start running between the university and the airshow?

Call the university housing and they'll be glad to tell you all the details. There are always Ubers that you can grab as well from what I've been told. (My first year, and I'm staying at Ripon dorms - no rooms left at U of W Oshkosh)

 

[tsts4]

Thank you! Next question if you would be so kind- When do the shuttles start running between the university and the airshow?

Sunday, July 20th. https://lakefrontshuttleoshkosh.com/eaa-airventure/

 

[Lowflynjack]

 

[418KG]

This morning after a safety pilot flight with a pre-checkride instrument student at my airport, I was able to evangelize and spread the good news of airventure to someone who was barely aware of its existence, it got me all excited and now July can not come soon enough!

Has anyone flown in on the Thursday before show starts? I’m hoping to fly in the first day of the arrival, stake out my site in scholler then head home, and return Friday or Saturday with the camper for the week. As to achieve my bucket list of flying in but also to not be stuck camping in scholler’s new fond du lac annex!

 

[tsts4]

This morning after a safety pilot flight with a pre-checkride instrument student at my airport, I was able to evangelize and spread the good news of airventure to someone who was barely aware of its existence, it got me all excited and now July can not come soon enough!

Has anyone flown in on the Thursday before show starts? I’m hoping to fly in the first day of the arrival, stake out my site in scholler then head home, and return Friday or Saturday with the camper for the week. As to achieve my bucket list of flying in but also to not be stuck camping in scholler’s new fond du lac annex!

If you’re flying in why not camp with your plane instead of Scholler? Your plan is fine but having camped with my plane and in Scholler I much prefer being with the plane.

 

[418KG]

If you’re flying in why not camp with your plane instead of Scholler? Your plan is fine but having camped with my plane and in Scholler I much prefer being with the plane.

Because while my handle on this site looks suspiciously like a tail number, it is just the day i was born and my initials. I am a lowly rental peasant, and I don't care to pay the daily minimum rental for a week. also, I want my own shower this year.

 

[masloki]

This morning after a safety pilot flight with a pre-checkride instrument student at my airport, I was able to evangelize and spread the good news of airventure to someone who was barely aware of its existence, it got me all excited and now July can not come soon enough!

Has anyone flown in on the Thursday before show starts? I’m hoping to fly in the first day of the arrival, stake out my site in scholler then head home, and return Friday or Saturday with the camper for the week. As to achieve my bucket list of flying in but also to not be stuck camping in scholler’s new fond du lac annex!

I've done it a few times. Your plan isn't bad except for the timing. You won't be in North Fon Du Lac, but all the good spots are long gone by then too. @flyingcheesehead will probably be along to say how he does it now, but I'm pretty sure it requires advance planning.