Oshkosh Fly In
Jul 19th, 2008, 06:21 PM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Attended many years ago but it has grown very big in recent years. Check out www.airventure.org for information on this year's show the end of July - early Aug. If you have no hotel reservations as of now, it may be very difficult to find one within a reasonable drive. We drove, parked and walked in, but there are many who do fly in. That air field becomes the busiest in the US on those days so check the details on their website. Pilots do get access to special areas so if you have a FAA license, bring it.
Jul 20th, 2008, 05:16 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The airventure website given by CollegeMom is your best source for info.
I've read that the high gas prices may impact attendance this year.
I live just south of Oshkosh so EAA is always news around here.
Yes--we've attended and drive up.
I've read that the high gas prices may impact attendance this year.
I live just south of Oshkosh so EAA is always news around here.
Yes--we've attended and drive up.
Jul 20th, 2008, 10:06 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have flown in and have driven a motorhome in. If you do not have lodging now, you are out of luck...most of those who return annually make reservations a year in advance.
Lots of those who fly in camp under the wings of their airplanes or erect tents in the "north forty." I've never done so, but I suspect that there is a fee for camping space. I know for sure that motorhome space is for rent.
Tons of people just come for the day and go home at night...there is so much to see and so little time!
Lots of those who fly in camp under the wings of their airplanes or erect tents in the "north forty." I've never done so, but I suspect that there is a fee for camping space. I know for sure that motorhome space is for rent.
Tons of people just come for the day and go home at night...there is so much to see and so little time!
Jul 20th, 2008, 01:56 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're planning to fly in and tent camp. Are the bathrooms/showers nearby? How many days will it take to see it all? Has it been a hot summer in Wisconsin? Thanks for all of your replies!
Jul 20th, 2008, 02:26 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.airventure.org has a map of the campground and describes the facilities.
I drove past the campground last week and the port-a-potties are in place and it appears they are abundant.
Weather here has been 80's during the day and low 70's and upper 60's at night. It has been humid and there have been some thunderstorms. Oshkosh did get some flooding last month but that shouldn't impact your trip.
The airventure web site will describe the different activities available during the week.
Do you plan to rent a car or use the shuttle service?
I drove past the campground last week and the port-a-potties are in place and it appears they are abundant.
Weather here has been 80's during the day and low 70's and upper 60's at night. It has been humid and there have been some thunderstorms. Oshkosh did get some flooding last month but that shouldn't impact your trip.
The airventure web site will describe the different activities available during the week.
Do you plan to rent a car or use the shuttle service?
Jul 20th, 2008, 03:21 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
deladeb, there are a number of shower facilities (as you will see from the aeroventure link). Portapotties in profusion. The weekends are crowded with non-pilots in from the surrounding cities just for the sights and sounds...not aviation enthusiasts per se...so you would not lose much by skipping Saturday and Sunday. In my opinion, three days will be more than enough to see and experience everything (airshow every afternoon).
You will be amazed at the sophistication of the newer airplanes: sleek composite construction with navigation systems unheard of when I learned to fly in 1960. Many airline pilots will tell you that they wish they had the same degree of capability in their cockpits. General aviation is the testbed of the aviation industry.
You will be amazed at the sophistication of the newer airplanes: sleek composite construction with navigation systems unheard of when I learned to fly in 1960. Many airline pilots will tell you that they wish they had the same degree of capability in their cockpits. General aviation is the testbed of the aviation industry.
Jul 20th, 2008, 03:56 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The shuttle (West Side Shuttle Bus) will transport you to grocery stores, some restaurants, and stores like Target.
The Oshkosh Transit System also operates a bus from EAA to downtown.
Unless you want to leave Oshkosh you shouldn't need a car.
Oshkosh has some very nice restaurants--Brooklyn Grill, Fratello's, and Water City Grill are all very good and have web-sites.
The Oshkosh Transit System also operates a bus from EAA to downtown.
Unless you want to leave Oshkosh you shouldn't need a car.
Oshkosh has some very nice restaurants--Brooklyn Grill, Fratello's, and Water City Grill are all very good and have web-sites.
Jul 20th, 2008, 06:55 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband is the pilot. We attended the last 2 years. I'm not much of a camper, so we flew into Green Bay and stayed in a motel there, rented a car, and drove in each day, so my experiences are a little different than what you are doing.
How many days depends on what you want to do. We wanted to hear some speakers, see some planes, see the airshow, and my husband was attending some meetings. We weren't taking any of the classes.
We attended 2 days each time and booked our hotel several months in advance, so didn't get to pick the days based on the program. I think the program is posted in advance on the website. If I had last minute flexibility, I would look over the speakers programs and pick the days based on who I wanted to hear. If wanting to take classes, same idea. The airshow has some of the top performers every day. For us, 2 days was barely enough. Three days would have been leisurely.
The grounds are really large and it seemed that I would want to hear a speaker at the museum at 9am, then a demonstration in one of the pavillions at 10:30am, etc., having to board the free bus back and forth else making a long hot walk.
There are several shuttles also running to the campgrounds and along the main drags of the pavillions, displays, etc. However, these get very crowded as the day goes on, so we rarely rode them around the main grounds. Plan to do alot of walking in the sun!
Also, the food stands got really crowded around mealtimes, so we ate early so that we didn't have to stand in line 30 minutes in the sun and then try to find some shade to sit in. The ice cream cones were lifesavers!
We didn't bring umbrellas or chairs for the airshow. Instead we sat on the pavement in the shade of a building just behind the Airventure sign. Decent view.
Both years we were there the night of the free concert. Good, but very hot and crowded until it rained.
We didn't think the programs were worth the money. Each day the free newspaper with schedule covered everything we wanted to know.
Most of the facilities are PortaPotties as mentioned above. The museum has air conditioned real restrooms. There were large shower faciliites with mirrors on the outside that we saw people from the campgrounds at each morning.
Please be careful flying in. My scariest moments in the plane have both come while flying either to/from the Oshkosh area. They have very detailed instructions for pilots flying into Oshkosh that should work if everyone were experienced and would carefully follow them. However, all the traffic also puts a strain on the controllers in Chicago in the surrounding areas as well and they can't be as proactive as other times warning of VFR traffic in the area.
How many days depends on what you want to do. We wanted to hear some speakers, see some planes, see the airshow, and my husband was attending some meetings. We weren't taking any of the classes.
We attended 2 days each time and booked our hotel several months in advance, so didn't get to pick the days based on the program. I think the program is posted in advance on the website. If I had last minute flexibility, I would look over the speakers programs and pick the days based on who I wanted to hear. If wanting to take classes, same idea. The airshow has some of the top performers every day. For us, 2 days was barely enough. Three days would have been leisurely.
The grounds are really large and it seemed that I would want to hear a speaker at the museum at 9am, then a demonstration in one of the pavillions at 10:30am, etc., having to board the free bus back and forth else making a long hot walk.
There are several shuttles also running to the campgrounds and along the main drags of the pavillions, displays, etc. However, these get very crowded as the day goes on, so we rarely rode them around the main grounds. Plan to do alot of walking in the sun!
Also, the food stands got really crowded around mealtimes, so we ate early so that we didn't have to stand in line 30 minutes in the sun and then try to find some shade to sit in. The ice cream cones were lifesavers!
We didn't bring umbrellas or chairs for the airshow. Instead we sat on the pavement in the shade of a building just behind the Airventure sign. Decent view.
Both years we were there the night of the free concert. Good, but very hot and crowded until it rained.
We didn't think the programs were worth the money. Each day the free newspaper with schedule covered everything we wanted to know.
Most of the facilities are PortaPotties as mentioned above. The museum has air conditioned real restrooms. There were large shower faciliites with mirrors on the outside that we saw people from the campgrounds at each morning.
Please be careful flying in. My scariest moments in the plane have both come while flying either to/from the Oshkosh area. They have very detailed instructions for pilots flying into Oshkosh that should work if everyone were experienced and would carefully follow them. However, all the traffic also puts a strain on the controllers in Chicago in the surrounding areas as well and they can't be as proactive as other times warning of VFR traffic in the area.
Jul 20th, 2008, 07:07 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When you fly in, be REALLY sure you understand the special arrival and departure procedures. FAA issues a special NOTAM each year for the surrounding area and, even if you are familiar with the prior year's procedures they may change.
I've flown in twice and FAA does a really excellent job but it happens with some frequency that a pilot who doesn't know the procedures or fails to listen to the controller flys right through the middle of a well ordered gaggle of planes.
I've flown in twice and FAA does a really excellent job but it happens with some frequency that a pilot who doesn't know the procedures or fails to listen to the controller flys right through the middle of a well ordered gaggle of planes.
Jul 21st, 2008, 03:14 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank-you to everyone for your wonderful tips! It will be a 7 1/2 journey for us-we'll probably make 2 stops. I have never been in our (small)plane for more than 2 hours before...I have not tent camped for 6 years.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 07:00 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a safe flight! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in Oshkosh --the worlds busiest airport during that week.
The War Birds are amazing--I get a lump in my throat when I watch them fly over.
The War Birds are amazing--I get a lump in my throat when I watch them fly over.
Aug 1st, 2008, 10:38 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just returned from Oshkosh. We had asafe, uneventful flights both ways. We spent 3 1/2 days on the grounds...1300 acres. It is amazingly well organized and attended by friendly folks. The volunteers do a fantastic job too. The weather was 82, low humidity with blue skies and a breeze. This was my first time in several years but with cool nights and an air mattress I slept great. We did use earplugs to quiet the HWY traffic.
We camped in the area known as the North 40. Buses took us to the showers and the main gate of the show and we had a 3 minute walk to the porta potties. We flew 80 miles across Lake Michigan instead of dealing with the issues of flying around Chicago.
There was a free Foreigner Concert and Harrison Ford walked by me on his way to introduce his movie at the "Fly-in theater" He thanked the crowd for being polite.
A girl, probably 19 with a shirt that said "security",asked for the crowd to stand behind a black line on the grass "for our safety" and everyone did as Harrison Ford got out of a car and walked toward the stage set up in front of the giant out door screen. He gave a few hugs, handshakes and signed a few things before making his way to the stage and speaking about 15 minutes about his love of Aviation. (He is President of the Young Easgles a group that promotes flying for children and teens)
Airventure 2008 was alot of fun. We ate dinner at Friar Tucks 3 nights out of 4 because it was so close to our tent and the food was good.
We camped in the area known as the North 40. Buses took us to the showers and the main gate of the show and we had a 3 minute walk to the porta potties. We flew 80 miles across Lake Michigan instead of dealing with the issues of flying around Chicago.
There was a free Foreigner Concert and Harrison Ford walked by me on his way to introduce his movie at the "Fly-in theater" He thanked the crowd for being polite.
A girl, probably 19 with a shirt that said "security",asked for the crowd to stand behind a black line on the grass "for our safety" and everyone did as Harrison Ford got out of a car and walked toward the stage set up in front of the giant out door screen. He gave a few hugs, handshakes and signed a few things before making his way to the stage and speaking about 15 minutes about his love of Aviation. (He is President of the Young Easgles a group that promotes flying for children and teens)
Airventure 2008 was alot of fun. We ate dinner at Friar Tucks 3 nights out of 4 because it was so close to our tent and the food was good.
Aug 1st, 2008, 02:45 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
kp- Sorry to hear the weather turned to rain for your DH's visit. One of the stories about a planes' history that struck me was passenger/mail plane that crashed in Oregon back in 1928 after only 3 months of flying. Postal people returned to get the mail and to remove the diamonds on the lone passenger (a diamond dealer). It took several decades before permission was granted to lift out the plane. It flew this year for the first time in 80 years.
Aug 2nd, 2008, 08:21 AM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad to hear you had a good time. My husband has been watching the video highlights on the website since we didn't go this year.
80 miles over Lake Michigan would make me tense. We did buy life vests before our first flight up there to be prepared as we know the stories of those who have gone down there. It might be better than the near misses we experienced around Chicago, though.
We had Beach Boys concerts the two years we were there and I saw Harrison Ford when he got in/out of a fighter jet for a courtesy ride. We didn't go to the movie, but he was there to introduce Airforce One one year we were there.
I love hearing the firsthand accounts of WWII, Berlin Airlift, first nonstop round the world flight, first commercial space flight, etc. History in person.
The large precision flying groups also impress me. After years of airshows I enjoy them more than the aerobatics.
It is probably the friendliest crowd I have ever experienced. The Atlanta Olympics would be the second.
80 miles over Lake Michigan would make me tense. We did buy life vests before our first flight up there to be prepared as we know the stories of those who have gone down there. It might be better than the near misses we experienced around Chicago, though.
We had Beach Boys concerts the two years we were there and I saw Harrison Ford when he got in/out of a fighter jet for a courtesy ride. We didn't go to the movie, but he was there to introduce Airforce One one year we were there.
I love hearing the firsthand accounts of WWII, Berlin Airlift, first nonstop round the world flight, first commercial space flight, etc. History in person.
The large precision flying groups also impress me. After years of airshows I enjoy them more than the aerobatics.
It is probably the friendliest crowd I have ever experienced. The Atlanta Olympics would be the second.
