Na na na na na.

[Skylark4]

Greetings from Oshkosh people.
The weather at the moment is hot and sticky with thunderstorms. Tuesday will be better and Wednesday it will be great. 75 deg 60% humidity. More later, if I have time.

Regards

Mike W.

[Skylark4]

Visited the EAA Museum this afternoon. Absolutely marvellous. Shame to see so many airworthy aeroplanes penned in but good to see them at all. They have a Mossie, apparently in flying condition. They are offering rides in a Ford Trimotor. Asked if I could have a closer look at it and was escorted inside without asking. Opening day tomorrow, a brief report later, If I`m up to it.

Mike W.

[Final 3 Greens]

Skylark

You lucky b*gger!

Have a great time.

F3G :)

[I have control]

na na na na na to you, too! :cool:

Did you take a ride in the Tri Motor?

[Skylark4]

It`s not luck, it`s pure, bloody minded perseverance.
No I didn`t(yet) ride the Tri-Motor but I was tempted. I think it`s only about $25 for a long taxy and a short ride. I was quite surprised at how powerful she seems to be. Engines give a good deep roar and she climbs away well. Conversely, the Vimy has been re-engined I believe and now sounds like two microlights in formation. There are rides available in a MASH type chopper too.
Opening day today. Saw about one third of the stands, maybe more, but all fairly superficially. Some very interesting engine developments. Do you fancy a Turboprop? 300HP + 500lbs thrust, will fit a single seater and cost $20,000. How about converting your Lycoming to water cooling? The Roche diesel looks nice. The C17 is big. The GB doesn`t look like it should fly. Americans do not recognise an English accent, they think we are Australians. EAA Merchandise is expensive. Food on the showground is expensive (I expected that one.) Surprisingly, Oshkosh still has Portaloos. Clean today but it is day one. Didn`t seem to be all that many people around but it is day one of seven, midweek and there is quite a lot of space.

Regards,

Mike W

[I have control]

The EAA TriMotor has been re-engined and has 3x450 horses available; I think the originals had not much more than half that, so lot's of power to spare. It can climb with two engines out - a truly amazing aeroplane.

Its ground run with a full load is less than that of a Piper Cub!

[Skylark4]

I.H.C.
That explains its good performance. It does have a high lift (high drag/low speed) wing of course. Impressive nonetheless.

It is strange to see anairshow going on whilst aircraft fly about normally from another runway. See airfield layout on EAA site if you don`t understand.

Super day today, Rain overnight, quite cool and overcast to start finishing with a hot, English Summer day.

Demo from the C17, very impressive and a Fly-by from TWO B1b Bombers. Dramatic but not as good as the Vulcan. Lots of Aeros, very good four ship formation team every day so far. Red and white Harvards. As good as any I`ve seen.

More in depth visits to stands today. Still have to look at the Antiques and the Microlights and must return to the Museum.

Regards,

Mike W.

[Skylark4]

Mostly more consolidation today but did walk down to the Microlight area. Loads of a/c flyingcircuits on a 700m(?) runway whose approach end is adjacent to the main runway in use and at 45 degrees to it. Approaches are made parallel to main run with a final turn into line at 100`. Everything from Cubs to Bizjets to F15 using main at the time.

The Zoche diesel looks great as a four or a two row eight but it isn`t flying yet. C`mon Mr. Wilsch, grab the market. Saw one or two other deisels too, all using standard porting and none of them flying. It is not that cheap to buy a/c parts and tools over here. Cheaper, yes, but not the differential there used to be. I`m not in the market so I cannot quote figures, but thats my impression. Those Harvards did another perfect display again today. They must have put in a lot of practice.

NASA and the Government bodies have a big presense here, showing what they do and generally engaging in PR. NASA have a whole hangar as do the Customs and Immigration people, joint Can-Am in that case.
Only two more days here before I return to Calgary in the 182 on Sunday. Early start then for a 10 hour trip back. Back to UK 1-2 Aug. Have picked up loads of paper for later perusal, may have to make extra fuel stops on the way back. Oshkosh is +750 ft. but the pressure altitude can be 3000+ at some of our stops on the way.
Free Bratwurst and beer for the international visitors, ( me and my Canadian friends) tomorrow. Could be a heavy night.

Regards

Mike W.

[Skylark4]

Friday.
Of the 57 Brits who bothered to register at the International Visitors Tent. 11 Brits turned up to Parade behind our National Flag. Actually, tht is wrong as two of them were behind the Scottish Flag.
Went back to the museum during airshow today, good thing too from what I saw and heard, lots of old mil. trainers doing formation flybys at fairly high altitude plus P51 s doing the same. Pair of B1bs again earlier in the day.
Free beer and bratwurst was good.

Probably no more posts from here, prep aircraft tomorrow evening for an early start back to Calgary on Sunday morning.

Any questions? I`ll do my best to answer them

Mike W.

[Mark 1]

You should have tried the Bell 47 from Pioneer airport, only $25 and no time wasted taxying.

Did you see the 3 Jodels (actually Robin DR250s) that flew in from France/Switzerland last Wednesday. Well done them, just the "easy" return trip now.

[Skylark4]

No, I missed them. The area covered is so large that it is not possible to keep up with what is going on and if you cannot hear the commentary,(you cannot unless you are virtually on the flight line,)it`s difficult.

Took two days to get back to Calgary. Weather on Sunday was 72 degrees, 100% humidity and dew point 72 deg., result:- mist. Eventually got out VFR at about 11.00, we had planned for 06.00. Stopped overnight at Williston,North Dakota.

Regards'

Mike W.

[Skylark4]

Back home in England now.
Anyone got any questions before I abandon this thread and let it slide into the archives.
Tri-Motor rides were $40 and probably good value as were the chopper trips. There were four of them operating together at one point. Pioneer airport was fascinating.

Mike W

[New Bloke]

Skylark,

Did you fly yourself out and back? If so, what in?

NB

[Skylark4]

New Bloke,
How I wish, no, I flew to Calgary, spent a week with my Daughter who is there with the R.A.F. and then flew down to Oshkosh in a Cessna 182 with 3 other guys. I had set this up when I was over there at Christmas. Very interesting and a good way to get a close look at Canada/America from the air, a bit of it anyway.
We were in a B&B a few minutes from Wittman field, with a car and the Leader/ owner/pilot had done it many times before so knew all the tips. Flew in on Saturday to make sure we could get in, could have waited until Monday as it happens, bad weather to the South I think.

Regards,

Mike W.

[ 04 August 2001: Message edited by: Skylark4 ]