EAA Airventure Rally-Oshkosh?

[bugsbunny]

Hi John,

We're thinking of going to Oskosh and trying to get into the KOA you mentioned. The spots are probably gone, but I am going to call tomorrow and check.

We just got our A/S MH a few weeks ago. We are both private pilots and have always wanted to go to Oshkosh. We attended Sun N Fun in Lakeland 4 or 5 times... The last time was in 1990. If we can get into the KOA, and stuff like work doesn't get in the way, we'll hook up with you there. We live and NH and it looks like we'll be coming from the other coast...

Kathy

[kmtyme]

We can not go this year to EAA... Certainly hope to go again next year
It is the BEST air show in the Country...far superior to any others we have seen, and that is many..I would stay on the grounds if possible even to dry camp, as it is WOW being right in the middle of all those wonderful planes buzzing in and out of the field. We were near (2 miles) last year and were able to sneak in the back way, miss the traffic, park way up front, easy in and out....the museum is a must see too..take a ride on an experimental plane, fun...I know you all will have a wonderful time...maybe we can make it again next year, maybe there will be an Airstream Rally in place then...Kate

[dmac]

I have flown into the EAA convention many times in my old Bonanza (destroyed since by hail while on the ground) and would caution anyone interested in flying in...

- VFR traffic converges over Ripon, WI in a most unsafe manner. If OSH is closed for short periods to allow the sorting of arrivals, and traffic continues to arrive at or near Ripon, the subsequent reopening of the field results in an air traffic nightmare. I highly recommend against VFR, unless you can devise an off-peak arrival.

- IFR is much easier. They assign you a time slot, you arrive close to that time, you avoid the whole Ripon mess and work into the flow on downwind. Time slots are limited and advanced reservations are required.

Oshkosh is a treat to anyone interested in airplanes! I will not be able to go this year.

[Condoluminum]

For Kathy (Bugsbunny..) we booked KOA over their website 2 months ago, as campground itself doesn't open and managers don't arrive to check messages until May.. There are others closer among 10 or so campgrounds listed by Oshkosh Visitor's Bureau, though many do not offer enough electricity to run the magic cool box on the roof... Listings are at http://www.oshkoshcvb.org/eaa.cfm after all the hotel and motel listings within 50 miles...

For $40 you can join EAA and camp on airport in "Camp Scholler" which is 1 mile square grass field, with showers and stores at edges, but no hookups, and daily rate around $15... No reservations, it's first come first served, and very "communal". I'm betting there will be boondocking Airstreams there, and there is a section partitioned for generator use, that may permit them past midnight...

Having flown in 14 years ago, and read stories of last few years, arrivals and departures are not for the inexperienced, the incompetent or insecure... Even if 1 pilot in 1,000 is grossly unqualified that means a near disaster every few hours, as 10,000 small aircraft try to squeeze in starting over the same water tower in Ripon over a 2 day period... The FAA sit on top of the tower with binoculars and radios and a sense of humor, enjoying the show mostly, until some buffoon can't maintain speed or altitude or heading and traffic patterns get scrambled..

JB McG