Oshkosh 2025

It bothers me that it is "FISKE" but I guess fixes have to be five letters. The location is "Fisk."
 
flyingcheesehead said:
The most important thing, IMO, is how to spot Fisk. The controllers can't see you until you're within about a mile of Fisk, and I've seen a bunch of people accept instructions that weren't for them because they weren't yet at Fisk, and then they either screw things up farther down the line or they realize they screwed up and have to go back to the beginning.

When the tracks and the road come back together, you're at Pickett. When they split apart again, you're approaching Fisk. Follow the tracks, not the road... And if you know what you're doing, you'll be able to see the pink shirts by a trailer up on the hill on the N-S road just as you get to Fisk. It's even on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9mbRexzZZTzxGuP6
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They used to have four flashing lights next to the controllers (they're the lead-in rabbits from an approach light system placed side by side). It's been a while as I have tended to avoid the FIsk transition the past few years. The only time I did it of late was with the RCAF Snowbirds. Usually, I just do the warbird arrival.

I was extremely fortunate that on my first trip to Oshkosh (we landed at Ripon), I got to both visit the control tower and also drive out to Fisk and hang with the controllers to see how it all worked. We spent some time calling out aircraft types to the controller since we had some with us who were good at telling the difference between different homebuilt models.
 
MOSAIC is all done, right?:deadhorse:
 
My plan is to be there Thursday before the show starts to get good parking. Last year I made the landing 1 minute before the NOTAM went into affect.
 
baboss said:
I hope this lateral separation procedure works out because as many have commented over the years, a slow mover in the conga line just creates a ripple effect.
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From what I've heard, they only plan to use this first thing in the morning. They ask us to let the slower planes go in first thing in the morning, but everyone is excited to get there, so maybe moving them out to the right will help out.
 
WDD said:
Good tip - hadn’t thought about that. I see FISKE is even on the sectional chart. And seems like it can be loaded into your FF flight plan and your GTN/Nav as a double check / aid to situational awareness to confirm what you’re staring at outside the window.
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RIPON and FISKE have been in the database for a long time. They've been there as long as I've been going to Oshkosh, though I don't see them in the 2002 NOTAM that I have (06 is the first time I flew in).

The new VPxxx points (VPENV, VPPLK, VPGRN, VPRIP, VPFIS) will probably mean that RIPON and FISKE will go away at some point to be permanently replaced by VPRIP and VPFIS.
flyingron said:
They used to have four flashing lights next to the controllers (they're the lead-in rabbits from an approach light system placed side by side).
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It's been a long time since they used those - The strobe disappeared from the NOTAM after 2007. I've only seen it once in 40ish arrivals, though it was NOT the first. It was VERY visible, when I saw it there were red and amber pieces to it as well.

I think the reason they got rid of it is that a radio tower was built near Pickett that has white strobes on it and some pilots mistook that for Fisk.

flyingron said:
I was extremely fortunate that on my first trip to Oshkosh (we landed at Ripon)
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You landed... Where???

flyingron said:
I got to both visit the control tower and also drive out to Fisk and hang with the controllers to see how it all worked. We spent some time calling out aircraft types to the controller since we had some with us who were good at telling the difference between different homebuilt models.
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I have done the same! I've only been up in the new tower, though, not the old one.

It's definitely helpful to understanding how it all works, and being out at Fisk and helping with aircraft identification and hearing what doesn't go over the radio is fun. I do hope that not TOO many people go out there, though, as if it gets too popular it might be viewed as a problem and become disallowed.
 
It's pretty easy to know when it is your turn at Fisk. Just watch the airplanes in front of you. :dunno:
 
WDD said:
Good tip - hadn’t thought about that. I see FISKE is even on the sectional chart. And seems like it can be loaded into your FF flight plan and your GTN/Nav as a double check / aid to situational awareness to confirm what you’re staring at outside the window.
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Helps with situational awareness, but just for lurkers, don't fly point to point from RIPON to FISKE; follow the railroad tracks. Actually, looking at Page 5-6 of the Notice, one can fly straight from VPENV to VPPLK, but must swing around Puckaway lake to get to VPGRN by following the shoreline. Then again, it looks like planes can go straight from VPGRN to VPRIP, but after that planes must follow the railroad tracks. If they go direct VPRIP to VPFIS, they'll get there a little faster, if they follow the road, they'll get there a little slower. Follow the railroad tracks. Besides, other pilots are looking for planes over the railroad tracks, not wandering off over the countryside.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
RIPON and FISKE have been in the database for a long time. They've been there as long as I've been going to Oshkosh, though I don't see them in the 2002 NOTAM that I have (06 is the first time I flew in).
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Not as long as I have been going (1992). When I bought my GPS195 on release (1995 or so), it had RIPON and FISK in the database but they weren't FAA fixes (yet).
 
So, can POA folks be found at any particular area or time at Oshkosh? Might be nice to meet some of you all in person.
 
We'll be glad to host a get together at our campsite in HBC if anyone is interested. Not a terribly long walk from there to SOS or Sleepy Hollow. A little further to the Mexican place over by Target.
 
WDD said:
So, can POA folks be found at any particular area or time at Oshkosh? Might be nice to meet some of you all in person.
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You can find me usually the Vintage flight line operations building (across from the Hangar Cafe). If I'm not in there, they tend to know where I am.
 
TCABM said:
I’ve heard there’s a POA ‘memorial’ brick at the Brown Arch where there’s been meetups in the past.
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There’s a brick somewhere near where these disreputable characters are milling around at. 1750530485505.jpeg
 
Ed Haywood said:
It's pretty easy to know when it is your turn at Fisk. Just watch the airplanes in front of you. :dunno:
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Until the plane behind you decides to respond to ATC and impersonate the one at the front. It takes an extra 20 seconds to process that mistake and realize that the controller meant you, but it wasnt a big problem.
 
WDD said:
Which brings up a good point. How does one know what anyone looks like, or even what their name is?
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All Vintage volunteer workers wear name tags (at least while they are working).
You can't miss me. I wear an orange tuxedo vest and top hat (not to be confused with the guy who goes around shirtless with a black top hat).

Years ago, I kept missing Ron Wattanja at Oshkosh. Then one year I was walking down the road and I note somebody in a Fly Baby shirt. I catch up with him and sure enough it was him.
 
crash7 said:
We need shirts. With, you know, pockets…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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More like we need snazzy baseball hats. With the POA logo. Maybe magenta.
 
WDD said:
More like we need snazzy baseball hats. With the POA logo. Maybe magenta.
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Propeller beanies.

hello-hat.gif


Ed Haywood said:
It's pretty easy to know when it is your turn at Fisk. Just watch the airplanes in front of you. :dunno:
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You would think... But I've seen it screwed up a LOT, and my first time I was excited enough that the 6+ minutes from Ripon to Fisk seemed to take forever and I was really sure that it was gonna be my turn soon and I saw the strobe on the radio tower (but it wasn't on at Fisk) and I didn't yet know where Fisk was. Luckily I just sat there rocking my wings like an idiot about halfway up the tracks and then realized I wasn't there yet, but...

Lesson learned: Don't fly a white Cessna your first time. :rofl:
 
WDD said:
How about a few temp vinyl wrap stripes - blaze orange, hi viz lime green?
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You'll need to make 'em big enough that they don't just call you "white Cessna" anyway.

Really, it'll probably be "White high wing with the landing light in the left wing, rock your wings..."
 
flyingron said:
It bothers me that it is "FISKE" but I guess fixes have to be five letters. The location is "Fisk."
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AH.... I see FISKE, but I would want to fly over VPFIS. Probably splitting hairs, as I'll be VFR and these two appear to be very close to each other, but they are different locations on the sectional chart.
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WDD said:
AH.... I see FISKE, but I would want to fly over VPFIS. Probably splitting hairs, as I'll be VFR and these two appear to be very close to each other, but they are different locations on the sectional chart.
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Yeah, I've not seen this years NOTAM but in the past the lat/lon coords, the textual description, and the accompanying map all put some of the early join points (Endevaor bridge) in DIFFERENT places (more substantial than the above).

Note, you're not supposed to fly a straight line from RIPON to FISK. You are to pick up the railroad tracks and follow those.
 
WDD said:
AH.... I see FISKE, but I would want to fly over VPFIS. Probably splitting hairs, as I'll be VFR and these two appear to be very close to each other, but they are different locations on the sectional chart.
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It doesn't matter as long as your primary nav method is pilotage per the NOTAM and only using your moving map for situational awareness.
 
WDD said:
AH.... I see FISKE, but I would want to fly over VPFIS. Probably splitting hairs, as I'll be VFR and these two appear to be very close to each other, but they are different locations on the sectional chart.
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Don't. Fly the NOTAM with your eyes out the window looking at the railroad tracks and the traffic ahead of you.
 
keen9 said:
Don't. Fly the NOTAM with your eyes out the window looking at the railroad tracks and the traffic ahead of you.
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Copy that - I'm flying it VFR, looking outside of course. And I will be also using the GPS map as a backup to situational awareness. Learning from others.

flyingcheesehead said:
You would think... But I've seen it screwed up a LOT, and my first time I was excited enough that the 6+ minutes from Ripon to Fisk seemed to take forever and I was really sure that it was gonna be my turn soon and I saw the strobe on the radio tower (but it wasn't on at Fisk) and I didn't yet know where Fisk was. Luckily I just sat there rocking my wings like an idiot about halfway up the tracks and then realized I wasn't there yet, but...
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kyleb said:
We'll be glad to host a get together at our campsite in HBC if anyone is interested. Not a terribly long walk from there to SOS or Sleepy Hollow. A little further to the Mexican place over by Target.
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What day, time, and location? I'll look forward to it!
 
Help! I smoked and lost my brakes today and it is too early to know how long repair will be (fire). I was planning on HBC, so now might be van camping. What is different? It looks like I can order camping tickets in advance? Van will offer nice storm retreat, more packing space, less fisk risk. I’m bummed but we are well.
 
4RNB said:
Help! I smoked and lost my brakes today and it is too early to know how long repair will be (fire). I was planning on HBC, so now might be van camping. What is different? It looks like I can order camping tickets in advance? Van will offer nice storm retreat, more packing space, less fisk risk. I’m bummed but we are well.
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Not really that much, although the vibe is different. Yes you can order your Camp Scholler credentials online, but the sites are still first come first serve. You might want to bring a bike, scooter, or similar transportation to help get around the camp grounds. Hopefully you can get your plane repaired — you’ve got a month so there’s time.
 
4RNB said:
Help! I smoked and lost my brakes today and it is too early to know how long repair will be (fire). I was planning on HBC, so now might be van camping. What is different? It looks like I can order camping tickets in advance? Van will offer nice storm retreat, more packing space, less fisk risk. I’m bummed but we are well.
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A replacement tire, tube, and o-ring is a 2 hour job. I'm sure your wheelpants are toast, but deal with that later... Are you in the SE? Need a hand?

And a braking suggestion. Tap the brakes as hard as necessary to control speed and direction. Then get off 'em until you need to tap 'em again. It makes for a kind of lurching wiggling taxi, but you don't get your brakes nearly as hot.
 
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kyleb said:
A replacement tire, tube, and o-ring is a 2 hour job. I'm sure your wheelpants are toast, but deal with that later... Are you in the SE? Need a hand?

And a braking suggestion. Tap the brakes as hard as necessary to control speed and direction. Then get off 'em until you need to tap 'em again. It makes for a kind of lurching wiggling taxi, but you don't get your brakes nearly as hot.
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The plane is a 10 hr car ride from home, at a place that does maintenance. Thanks for the offer, not sure.
 
4RNB said:
The plane is a 10 hr car ride from home, at a place that does maintenance. Thanks for the offer, not sure.
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Where is it... The airplane?
 
4RNB said:
The plane is a 10 hr car ride from home, at a place that does maintenance. Thanks for the offer, not sure.
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I just read your post on VAF. That’s easily fixable, including the wheel pant , before Osh.
 
Plan A of flying a PC-12 in and staying in an Air B&B have fallen apart in the last two weeks.

I’m on to Plan B, which is riding in a friend’s RV-10 and camping in Homebuilt.

Still have Plans C, D, and E in reserve.
 
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