Excellent Oshkosh video
viva Osh Vegas
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Excellent Oshkosh video
If you've never been to the world's biggest fly-in, this online video (narrated by Harrison Ford) is a pretty good capturing of the sights, sounds & spirit of the event. For anyone planning a visit to AirVenture 2008... see you in July!
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That's superb. I was there last year. My innaugural trip, and it was just like it says in the video. For all the complaining that some may do ("Oh, it's not like last year, it's too commecial,, yadda, yadda, yadda") it's still about all the things that are good about little airoplanes and the people that surround them. It really is something everyone ought to do at least once in their lifetime.
Thanks for posting the link. I thoroughly enjoyed the video (even if I didn't see myself anywhere)
Pitts2112
Thanks for posting the link. I thoroughly enjoyed the video (even if I didn't see myself anywhere)
Pitts2112
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WOW! i do intend to make the flight there from the uk one day, Be a 3 week round trip but what a trip! i am building a T 51 Mustang so it will be an epic trip in that!
Dave
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visit oshkosh if you can...at least once
I was persuaded to visit the Oshkosh show from the UK and it was a brilliant & unforgetable week for anyone remotely air-minded. An incredible amount to see and do and a couple of days there cannot do it justice.
The biggest problem every day was going through the show program and deciding on what to see and do. Not just an airshow but a complete who's who of aerospace with anyone that is anybody in aerospace in attendance and the biggest range of aviation related activities you could imagine.
And the best thing about it was the friendliness and warmth of our american cousins who put so much effort in to it as volunteers.
Thoroughly recommended.
The biggest problem every day was going through the show program and deciding on what to see and do. Not just an airshow but a complete who's who of aerospace with anyone that is anybody in aerospace in attendance and the biggest range of aviation related activities you could imagine.
And the best thing about it was the friendliness and warmth of our american cousins who put so much effort in to it as volunteers.
Thoroughly recommended.
Last edited by upandoffmyside; 16th Feb 2008 at 23:01.
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There is an increbible atmosphere there. I'm not sure how 40,000 people end up feeling like one family, but it does happen. I didn't hear a cross word or unpleasantness spoken to or about anyone in the week I was there, and strangers showed hospitatlity and friendliness that is just far too rare.
I just traded e-mails with the former leader of the Bonanzas to Oshkosh. Part of their formation is shown on final approach and taxying after landing (nearly 100 aircraft arrive within about 12 minutes in one mass formation). Elliott told me that one of the chaps shown in the video is a guy they call "Old Bob" and he can be seen polishing the 18th Bonanza ever built, and the oldest one still flying (I believe) which has since been put into the Beechcraft Heritage Musuem. I saw that aircraft there and it looked as new as the latest one off the production line, which was parked right next to it. I met Elliott via e-mail a couple of years ago when doing some research on how to conduct the Pitts 50th anniversary commemorative formation we did from Leicester to Tollerton in '05. He is a fantastic guy, got to meet him face-to-face at Oshkosh where he and the rest of the Bonanza family made me feel like on of the gang.
A great place, a terrific event, all because of the people.
I just traded e-mails with the former leader of the Bonanzas to Oshkosh. Part of their formation is shown on final approach and taxying after landing (nearly 100 aircraft arrive within about 12 minutes in one mass formation). Elliott told me that one of the chaps shown in the video is a guy they call "Old Bob" and he can be seen polishing the 18th Bonanza ever built, and the oldest one still flying (I believe) which has since been put into the Beechcraft Heritage Musuem. I saw that aircraft there and it looked as new as the latest one off the production line, which was parked right next to it. I met Elliott via e-mail a couple of years ago when doing some research on how to conduct the Pitts 50th anniversary commemorative formation we did from Leicester to Tollerton in '05. He is a fantastic guy, got to meet him face-to-face at Oshkosh where he and the rest of the Bonanza family made me feel like on of the gang.
A great place, a terrific event, all because of the people.
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Yawningdog,
Just looked at your Gallery and i was at Le-tuqu. when the motorcross event was on. if you look at the Photo in your gallery called "checking the fuel" you can just see the back end of my RV6 (red and white) parked in front of the control tower!
Dave
Just looked at your Gallery and i was at Le-tuqu. when the motorcross event was on. if you look at the Photo in your gallery called "checking the fuel" you can just see the back end of my RV6 (red and white) parked in front of the control tower!
Dave
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I do Oshkosh every two years, and have been five times now. Going like that gives things time to change. Fabulous place, full of interesting people, but the trouble with many visitors there is that their avaition knowledge is pretty much nil. Also, if you arrive on the Sunday, be prepared to see some absolutely HORRENDOUS flying, as 2,000 odd aircraft arrive. People running short of fuel, coming the wrong way round the circuit,etc., and if it's very hot, which it normally is, then huge thermals off the runways interfering with smooth 180 turns to finals. My problem is that every time bar one, there has been an awful accident in front of me. This year was no exception with two Mustangs [P51] using the same piece of sky, unbeknown to each other, resulting in the death of one pilot. I videoed the whole sequence from lead in to aftermath, and the NTSB have it. Don't care much if I don't get it back. But, as people say, you have to go. It's an event unlike any other.
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JEM60
As someone who operates in & out of Oshkosh regularly, professionally, privately & as a volunteer, throughout the year, and during the week of the airshow, I might have to take umbrage at your reference to "some horrendous flying"
The arrivals are amazing, the organisation, planning and profoundly careful thought that has gone into the whole arrival procedure is breathtaking. The "pink shirts" are some of the best controllers in the world (especially the Scottish guy
) and do an incredible job of keeping everyone pointing in the right direction at the right time.
Considering you get over 10,000 aircraft coming & going during the week, giving over 100,000 movements, the law of averages says there's a good chance something will happen. I'm sorry you've been on hand for some of the accidents, but with so much else to see & do and be involved with during the week, surely you can take something positive away from the event.
There is some fantastic flying by everyday pilots wishing to participate, share the fun and experience with everyone. Pilots and non-pilots alike all have something to contribute and take away from the event. The week would suffer without many of the non-pilots who do so much to help with the volunteering.
Personally, I like watching the video as we hunker down, keeping warm through the snow/ice storms we are experiencing right now, so it reminds me of what Oshkosh is like in the summer months - a phenominal buzz of aviation.
If you come back, contact me and I'll take you along to experience an arrival from the air, not just by car. Its something you will never forget
As someone who operates in & out of Oshkosh regularly, professionally, privately & as a volunteer, throughout the year, and during the week of the airshow, I might have to take umbrage at your reference to "some horrendous flying"
The arrivals are amazing, the organisation, planning and profoundly careful thought that has gone into the whole arrival procedure is breathtaking. The "pink shirts" are some of the best controllers in the world (especially the Scottish guy
) and do an incredible job of keeping everyone pointing in the right direction at the right time.Considering you get over 10,000 aircraft coming & going during the week, giving over 100,000 movements, the law of averages says there's a good chance something will happen. I'm sorry you've been on hand for some of the accidents, but with so much else to see & do and be involved with during the week, surely you can take something positive away from the event.
There is some fantastic flying by everyday pilots wishing to participate, share the fun and experience with everyone. Pilots and non-pilots alike all have something to contribute and take away from the event. The week would suffer without many of the non-pilots who do so much to help with the volunteering.
Personally, I like watching the video as we hunker down, keeping warm through the snow/ice storms we are experiencing right now, so it reminds me of what Oshkosh is like in the summer months - a phenominal buzz of aviation.
If you come back, contact me and I'll take you along to experience an arrival from the air, not just by car. Its something you will never forget
Last edited by fernytickles; 17th Feb 2008 at 21:52.
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Fernytickles. I take many of your points, and I am sorry if I gave to wrong impression. I have always loved visiting the show, and will continue to do so. I also ALWAYS make the point of congratulating the Pink Shirts everytime I see one. As you say, they do a fantastic job, and forsure I do realise that it is the Olympics of ATC. I most certainly did not want to give people the impression that it is not hugely enjoyable, which it is. NEVERTHELESS, having spoken to spectators watching the Sunday arrivals, I discovered that many pilots would FAR RATHER arrive before the Sunday, for the very points that I brought up. I would, of course emphasise that the poor flying I have seen had absolutely nothing to do with the show participants, merely with the standard of visiting flying from time to time. In conversation, it was implied thatthere are a number of pilots whose only flying would appear to be a couple of times a year, and that, only to appear at Oshlosh. It seems to me that there are undoubdtedly a number of people who fail to read their joining instructions until almost over the airfield. One only has to listen to an airband radio to realise how good a job [for no reward] the Pink Shirts do. As you say,the place is full of the nicest people, terrific weather, and gorgeous aircraft. I have visited the States 16 times so far, and have always loved the experience, and I shall be at Airventure 2009. More power to EAA and Airventure, and I really do apologise if my criticisms seemed over the top. They were not meant to be so, but merely observation. Kind regards. John.
Am making my 3rd trip in sucessive years in 2008 - cannot wait. It is well organised, great variety of aircraft to see and photograph (my main interest)
very friendly people - if you have never been then go - if you have been then go again - you will not be disappointed.
very friendly people - if you have never been then go - if you have been then go again - you will not be disappointed.
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JEM60,
No problem.
Everyone's experience levels vary considerably, and I know there are some ill-informed pilots trying to fly in (I believe, if you dig around, you can find a recording of one such pilot on the web somewhere), but the stress levels when you fly in are soooooo much higher than everyday flying, a lot of one's common sense goes for a wander.
The first time my other half came in on the arrival, he kissed the ground when he got out of the plane. A very natural reaction, I think It is thrilling, and challenging and absorbing all at the same time.
I volunteered as a "greeter" one year, helping folk sort themselves out as they arrive and shut the aircraft down. Observing the people as they climbed out of their aeroplanes, they were all talking at once, the adrenalin still pumping and all buzzing still from the arrival, as well as being excited to have finally arrived at Oshkosh. It was so much fun, I hope to do it again sometime. Volunteering draws you in and allows you to become a part of the event as well as being a spectator.
The arrival is so very different to any other arrival you will ever do in your life, it is hard to describe, and ought to be experienced
No problem.
Everyone's experience levels vary considerably, and I know there are some ill-informed pilots trying to fly in (I believe, if you dig around, you can find a recording of one such pilot on the web somewhere), but the stress levels when you fly in are soooooo much higher than everyday flying, a lot of one's common sense goes for a wander.
The first time my other half came in on the arrival, he kissed the ground when he got out of the plane. A very natural reaction, I think
It is thrilling, and challenging and absorbing all at the same time. I volunteered as a "greeter" one year, helping folk sort themselves out as they arrive and shut the aircraft down. Observing the people as they climbed out of their aeroplanes, they were all talking at once, the adrenalin still pumping and all buzzing still from the arrival, as well as being excited to have finally arrived at Oshkosh. It was so much fun, I hope to do it again sometime. Volunteering draws you in and allows you to become a part of the event as well as being a spectator.
The arrival is so very different to any other arrival you will ever do in your life, it is hard to describe, and ought to be experienced
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Awesome video. I got all misty.
There has been precious little to be proud of as an American this decade. Oshkosh is a boxed, wrapped and delivered sampler of the best of my country.
And more and more, it ain't about the airplanes - it's the people that bring me back. My 20th year will be this summer.
(Did you read my article last summer Ferny? "The Prayer," I believe it was the June issue.....)
There has been precious little to be proud of as an American this decade. Oshkosh is a boxed, wrapped and delivered sampler of the best of my country.
And more and more, it ain't about the airplanes - it's the people that bring me back. My 20th year will be this summer.
(Did you read my article last summer Ferny? "The Prayer," I believe it was the June issue.....)
