This past weekend was quite a ride. My dad and I drove 13 hours to Oshkosh, WI for Airventure 2010. It was quite an experience. We arrived just after sunset, which made finding a suitable campsite difficult to say the least. The rain earlier in the week caused quite a bit of trouble with parking and there were people set up everywhere. Finally after nearly an hour of driving around, we opted to set up way out by the highway. I was a little uneasy to say the least.
The next day I was up at about 5:30. This was partially due to the fact that I live in the eastern time zone and my body thought it was time for work. I got up and started getting ready. I was headed to the show by 7:30. I would have gone earlier if I had known I could.
To set the stage, I had a long list of things I wanted to do and see. I had these things in mind and the second I hit the gate I went straight to the flight-line. Where, like a kid in a candy store, I took pictures for 2 hours. There went my plan. After hanging out shooting pictures and video, I met up with dad and we ate. From there we wandered through Aeroshell square and some of the exhibits.
Before we knew it, it was time for the air-show. We wound up in front of a black and white Husky on the front row. Not a bad place and pretty close to air-show center. The only complaint I have is that at one point a P-51C was partially blocking our view. Isn’t that terrible…
Friday went much like Thursday, except we saw a lot more of the vintage planes and we watched a hand propping demo. It was a great way to spend the day, but it was potentially very dangerous as I saw several planes that were for sale and were very much within reach. Considering there were insurance companies and finance companies on site, it wouldn’t have been that difficult to buy one and fly home.
Saturday we headed out together. We elected to catch a bus from the West Camp Store rather than hike in. Also, considering the very poor sky conditions, we decided not to take chairs for the air-show. I was worried I wasn’t going to get to see two of the acts I’d really wanted to see, Sean D. Tucker and Matt Younkin. The good news was that conditions improved in time for the show. We started with the exhibits, and eventually, I covered all of the vintage area and ultralights before settling down between a Cessna 140 and a Beech Staggerwing. We weren’t on the flight line, but it’s hard to beat such accommodations. Later that evening was my first night air-show. What an experience! The performers really put on a show.
It was a great trip. Even with the problems we encountered, the trip was more than I could have ever expected. We barely scratched the surface. The only specific regret I have is that I wish I’d been able to attend the forums I wanted to attend. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to next year. Maybe I’ll fly in…
I have three items to leave you with for now, but be looking out for some photo posts later in the week. First I would like to mention how nice everyone was. At one point I managed to walk off and leave my camera laying on a bench. It was there for a good 10 minutes before I even realized it was gone. I returned to the place I’d left it to find it sitting there untouched. That would never have happened anywhere else. Second and third, I met both Sean D. Tucker and Patty Wagstaff. They were both exceptionally nice and I scored some autographed paraphernalia for my office.
-
- A little sticker from the welcome package.
-
- My first timer button
-
- Walking through one of the exhibit hangars we encountered Patty Wagstaff.
-
- Sean D Tucker is an extremely nice guy.
-
- Somehow I wound up with two of the best free souvenirs ever.
-
- The Oracle Challenger III lying in wait
-
- Sean D. Tucker putting the Oracle Challenger III through its paces.
