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Oshkosh 2013 . . .

Old 16th Mar 2013, 12:00
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Oshkosh 2013 . . .

As a ‘first time’ participant at this year’s EAA Air Adventure I am seeking any guidance and opinions of those who have gone before. My plan is to attend the entire week plus a little – I arrive ‘directly’ from Oz Saturday 27th July and depart Tuesday 6th August, again ‘directly’ for Oz. My accommodation is at the University of Wisconsin.

I would appreciate any helpful advice on any subject associated with the EAA Air Adventure and surrounds, such as things not to be missed or to be avoided, transport options to/from Whitman field, good viewing spots, what to take and so on. And does anyone have an opinion about ‘membership’ of the EAA Aviators Club and whether it is worth purchasing?

I would also be delighted to catch up with other Oz ‘Ppruners’ at the air show. Is there an established system of making contact? Perhaps I will post another message a little closer to the time?

Thanks in advance

Pedota
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 12:37
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Can't give give you any advice on the uni, we did the Winnebago thingy & stayed in the campground.

OSH is amazing, doubt you'll ever experience anything like it. Depends what you are there for. If you are building an experimental & going there for research it is all there. You won't have time to do all the seminars that are available, there is a huge range, some that you pay for some are free. You will be amazed at your freedom to get up close to ALL the aircraft on display. Respect the aircraft & their owners, they are very generous in letting you get so close. Military aircraft come and go. Bear in mind it is the Experimental Aircraft Association so it's mainly a show designed around that type of aircraft. Lots of different aircraft clubs fly in, antique, warbirds etc. last year was celebrating the piper cub, about 170 of them flew in and all parked in the one area, a mass of yellow

The flying displays start around 2:30pm giving you time in the morning to stroll around the pavilions. There is a night airshow, don't miss it. You will hear Aussies there but meet the locals, very friendly. There's an international party on there one night, they don't advertise it and you have to register for it, free beers apparently, we missed it make yourself get there early, you'll kick yourself for missing stuff if you get lazy. Do lots of walking before you go to get fit because you'll be doing heaps. There are shuttle buses that run everywhere on site and into town, it's all included in ticket price. The whole gig is incredibly well organised. It's hard to find decent healthy food if that's your thing, take your own in a backpack. You will also be amazed at how cheap everything is, your dollar will go a long, long way

It can get blindingly hot there. I wouldn't buy anything like sunscreen or hats etc here, it is all cheaper over there. Buy an empty bag over there for all the freebies & stuff you'll bring back. If you have time, the Air Force Museum in Dayton is incredible. The Udvar-Hazy Museum at Dulles is brilliant

I'll post more stuff as I think of it. You will have a great trip, experience of a lifetime
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 13:12
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Echo everything Jack stated. One small point, the MAIN airshow events take place on the Thursday/Friday/Saturday, with the closing event on the Sunday.

These are fabulous, last year the re-enactment of Pearl Harbour was visually spectacular. A great event.

So, plan your shopping, demo, trips off field, to the Splash/seaplane area, earlier in the week, which leaves ample time to absorb the display flying, also get yourself a good vantage point for the displays, grass near the main square and VIP area. Trip in the Tri Motor well worth the price. There is a good barbeque event at the seaplane base, worth a visit.

Bags and bags to do, and worth planning ahead exactly what you wish to attend discover. Also lots of impromptu eating events at the trailer parks, make new friends!!!!!

You may miss the 'arrival'', due to your incoming flight, I flew in a couple of times on arrival day, very entertaining with literally hundreds of aeroplanes all converging.

Enjoy, you will have a ball.
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 13:23
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Many thanks Jack . . . I am a ‘wannabee’ builder and would like to attend a bunch of the seminars and workshops. That sounds like good advice about not being too Oz and getting to know the locals and respecting the aircraft and owners who have put them on display. I’ll look out for the international night on the premise of getting some free beer! Thanks for the hint about taking a spare bag for all freebies and stuff. Food . . . I have worked in the USA before and have a plan about taking my lunch etc. And that is a good idea about buying local sunscreen etc as it will save me lugging it half way across the world.

And thanks too maxred . . . planning seems to be the key. I am tossing up whether to do the B-29 or Tri Motor flight . . . thanks for you view. I am hoping to catch some of the arrival ‘entertainment’ on the Sunday before the main show starts.

Cheers

Pedota
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 21:42
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For some relaxation time, visit the Seaplane base by (free) yellow school bus; worth a visit. It's a nice spot away from the sun and somewhat cooler.

Register for the international night at the international visitors tent where they will advise which night it's on. Get there early and drink lots. You will meet ppruners and probably not know it until you get back to Aus.

There is a system at the international tent where you can write your name and message on the visitors board where you can try and establish contact with other ppruners.

Buy a member ticket if you are going to be there the whole time as you'll get the paper version of the eaa magazine sent to your Aussie address for a year which is good value and of course it's always good to support them. Probably works out about the same as buying a full price non member ticket given the length of your stay.

I reckon the B29 flight would trump the T Motor.

Forums are good, plan your day carefully so as to not miss them and write down your plan or time will slip by and you'll miss out.

The headline concert should be good. One year recently it was the Beach Boys an when I went it was Chicago.

The yacht club on the edge of the lake was a nice place for a quite beer and to meet the locals or people from anywhere in the world. I met some Aussie-American's from Ballina.

Enjoy.

Last edited by VH-XXX; 16th Mar 2013 at 21:44.
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 22:24
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Oh, and if you can get a light fold out camp chair, take it we'd pop back to camp & get them for the displays. By midweek you're a bit knackered, being able to sit back was GOLD

Future aircraft builder? You're laughing! You should get heaps of info on aftermarket stuff. Lycoming are fantastic, we did a few freebie seminars with them. Have a look at the thunderbolt engines there.

As the others mentioned be meticulous in your planning reference the seminars/talks. We stumbled across a talk by Dick Rutan at the museum that was brilliant. He talked about stuff you couldn't put in a book
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Old 16th Mar 2013, 23:56
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I echo all that the Ranga said. I've done the same thing and stayed in the campground with the RV - best way to go in my opinion.

One thing to be aware of is that due to the US Defence budget cuts there doesn't look to be much if any at all US military hardware at the event this year. Granted that's not a war stopper for everybody, but I found that after 4 days of watching bloody 182s and RVs land and take off again, the sound of a random Hornet blasting down the strip at 20feet was indeed a highlight. The Thunderbirds where due to perform this year but thats been canned and the word is that there will be no USAF/Navy/USMC representation at all.

Of course there is a **** load to see and do away from the strip itself anyway and there's no shortage of both old aircraft old people to talk too! Met with Bert and Bob when I was there in 2011 - fantastic!
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 08:48
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If you want a good feed try the Olive Garden for dinner and IHop for breakfast.
Bring cool clothes day 1 last year nearly killed me and I come from central Queensland, man it was hot. Sure is an experience though you'll see stuff that there's no chance of seeing here. Shame you don't have the chance to stay on a bit longer because as stated earlier the US Airforce museum in Dayton is amazing. Hmmmm maybe I should just go again this year.
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 10:25
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Thanks everyone for your opinions and views . . .

The seaplane base looks interesting – thanks VH-XXX. And I will certainly register at the international tent as the idea of some free beers is very enticing! I have already bought the member ticket, so thanks for the good advice. The B-29 ride does look interesting . . . my father in law flew Wellingtons in WII and a flight in a plane like this is about as close I will ever get to experiencing what he went through.

I am still trying to figure out the best way to navigate the various forums/workshops and the like. Thanks for your hints . And as a ‘musician’ I am always keen to know who will headline the main concert.

The fold out chair idea is pure gold – thanks Jack. And I am not sure that I have graduated from ‘wannabee’ to future aircraft builder as yet . . . but the forums and workshops do sound very tempting, especially if the likes of Dick Rutan are likely to turn up.

I hope you are wrong about the lack US military hardware, AirBumps . . . but I guess I will take the show as it comes. And the IHop and the Olive Garden for breakfast/dinner sound like good advice – thanks OZ-G10. I think I am ready for the hot weather . . . and rain!

Thanks again for your views and onions.

Last edited by Pedota; 17th Mar 2013 at 18:14. Reason: Incompetence
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 10:59
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Steve Miller Band last year, bloody brilliant

Not sure whether you've graduated from wannabe to builder? You poor, poor bastard Don't go then, you'll torture yourself!
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 18:27
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Damn - should have gone last year, Jack, as I would have paid the entrance fee just to see the band . . . and Steve Millar plays a black Strat just like mine!! I am looking forward to finding out who will is performing this year. And you are right in that I am probably doomed to a state of permanent pergatory in relation to building!

Thanks again for your help.
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 22:07
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What we did last year: MEL-LAX on Virgin ($1200 RT) arriving in the a.m. Hire car($120) then straight to Chino for the day. Overnight at the Hotel Queen Mary in longbeach. ($150)Then 2 days to Mojave and Palmdale. Southwest airlines for the US internal flights ($700). Headed to Chicago midway although they also fly direct to Milwaukee. Car hire to Oshkosh ($340) and university accommodation($480) Then to Washington DC for Air and space and udvar Hazy (Hotel $250). Then to Tucson for Pima and Davis Monthan.(hotel and car around $300). Split between 2 with single rooms this was around $3200-$3500 each over 12 days.

The only thing that went wrong was that getting to Udvar-Hazy without a car is a pain. Don’t take the Dulles shuttle bus as it only runs every 2 hours and taxi drivers hate the trip from the terminal. If you don’t have a car then take a taxi from town. Some tips:

Southwest was a good carrier- they have cheap fares and don’t charge for baggage.

You can fly on UA or DL to Appleton and take a bus but for the money we found a hire car at Oshkosh gave us flexibility. ( seaplanes, different restaurants). If you hire a car use the national rental Australian site as they include all insurance unlike most US rental companies.

Park in the Hilton hotel car park (free) then walk out to the North40 plane parking pick up point to catch the internal shuttle bus. After the show you can have a (costly) beer in the Hilton bar and watch the world fly by.

If you stay at the Uni the very first thing you do is get to Target and buy a $15 fan.

Walk to Kellys bar in the evening, put some money on the counter and the girls will tell you when they need some more. Don’t even think about the quality of the food- hey its only fuel!

And on that subject the Uni does breakfast for $8 (Today our breakfast meat is deep fried hot dogs!)

Bell 47 helo ride at $50 was a hoot- as was the Trimotor at around $75. B29 ride? Good idea but it’s one whole day away from the show and figures of $1,000 a pop were being mentioned.

Join the EAA for $40 and you can purchase a weekly admission to Airventure for $115.

Workshop sessions are posted on the EAA website and are very interactive- I saw an eight year old girl being taught welding.

International tent has cover and cold water. Go to the Ford tent and do their “Collect the stamps” session for a great hat and a spiffy water bottle.

Talk to absolutely anyone you meet- they are all as nuts about aviation as you are. Buy some little Aussie Koala bears with flags before you leave and hand them out as you go. One of those 50c babies got me free booze on Southwest and americans absolutely love them.
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Old 17th Mar 2013, 23:06
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AA did pretty well with the budget on his trip.

I did the following, twin share for around $3,100 each, 14 days.

AA did pretty well with the budget on histrip.
I did the following, twin share for around $3,100 each, arrived back 14 dayslater so two full weeks away from work.
My daily summary was as follows:
Mel LAX, stayed at LAX Hilton(cheap through Qantas holidays)
UniversalStudios (Hilton again - lots of Qantas staff stay here)
LAX -Mulwaukee, Airtran, bus from Milwaukee to OshKosh, catch opening Chicago
Oshkosh-bought the weekly ticket
Oshkosh
Oshkosh
Oshkosh
Catch bus toMilwaukee, flight to Tucson, LaQuinta hotel right near airport
TitanMissile museum, Mexican border + driving around Tucson, hired car
Pima air andspace museum, boneyard tour, hired car Dodge Avenger (high one-way drop-offfee), drive to Grand Canyon 4 hrs, stay overnight at Xenterra lodges $150 fortwin
Visit theCanyon, drive to Vegas 4 hours, overnight in Vegas at NY NY
Overnight inVegas
Drive to LA4 hours, visit the beaches, Venice, Manhattan etc, fly out midnightArrive inMelbourne some days later :-)

Couldn't have done it all without Tom Tom on the iPhone and didn't use any data outside hotel WIFI.

Last edited by VH-XXX; 17th Mar 2013 at 23:10.
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Old 18th Mar 2013, 09:20
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Can't remember the budget but things we did:

Hired a mustang convertible in LA to drive to Santa Barbara (about 140 miles on the clock when we got it) only one speeding fine for the whole trip, I think I've gotten away with that

Internal airfares were Virgin America, LCC but excellent food & wi-fi on board. Limited network but they happened to be going where we're going. DC to LA was $249ish. Velocity FF & status credits

The only thing we found a bit expensive was hotels, if you book that from AUS seems to be a bit cheaper.

Renting cars is a pain in the arse over there, ends up being around twice the quoted price with taxes & fees especially in California. Still reasonable price though. Don't fall for the up selling though. Renting a GPS is really expensive, DON'T, buy a cheaply from Walmart & keep it for the next time you go.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 00:21
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A number of flights have just been released this morning that coincide with Oshkosh 2013.

Delta - Melbourne to Chicago & Milwaukee $1,339.

Delta - Mel - LA $1,039

Don't delay, contact your local travel agent now !!!

(my notification on this came from the BestFlights website)


Last edited by VH-XXX; 19th Mar 2013 at 00:22.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 01:20
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A link to a 2 minute 'synopsis' of the Torii Tours trip to OSH in 2011.....
Some Pruners here....


The accom in the University is 'basic' but OK for the duration, but buy a fan from Walmart and simply leave it is the clue - its hot in Summer in Wisconsin!

The 'Blackhawk Common' across the road from the uni serves great meals - cheap!

The commuter bus stop is outside the 'Blackhawk Common' and ...its cheap, and regular, direct to OSH.

There are several good bars around, including one in a very large tent right opposite the Uni, goes for 'hours', and ....tis 'cheap'.
A 24 can 'slab' is around $15, or was in 2011.

OSH will simply blow your mind - you wanna 'touch' this airplane?
Yeah - but don't leave any prints.....however you can and do get 'that close'. Usually the owner is nearby to answer all 'silly' questions.

You may elect to attend as many seminars as you can fit in, in the time available - everything from metalwork on building your own, to the latest avionics you may wish to install.

You may get to meet some very famous people, and draw on a whole heap of history and stories - some may even be troo..(?) Sorry 'bout that!!

Join the EAA for $40 per year, and get a great magazine sent to you in OZ, and access to a hospitality tent whilst there, and some discounts - can't remember all now.

If you can't make it for this year, you could do a lot worse than booking with a tour group like Torii's - the venerable Ron Cook certainly knows the ropes and takes the worry out of getting there, getting around whilst there, seeing other aviation attractions, and getting home 'safely'.

Dems my thoughts. Would I go again?? You betcha!!

ENJOY!!

Last edited by Ex FSO GRIFFO; 19th Mar 2013 at 01:21.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 06:25
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Jack next time rent your cars through Argus they're a UK based booking agency. Wife and I spent 6 weeks in the states and Canada after Oshkosh last year and rented 4 or 5 cars including the obligatory mustang convertible and it couldn't have been easier price was the best and included all insurances.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 07:34
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Go via Minneapolis for a cheaper alternative - also hit the Mall of America, if you're so inclined.
Today flights from Mel - ATW return went from $1700 to $1250 - get in quick I'd say.
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 10:09
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And mates with a swimming pool and beer is a nice option too!

Mr ranga should know how that works ..... :-)
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Old 19th Mar 2013, 10:14
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mmmmmm, beer is the new bottled water

And Jaba, what day is Thursday??
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