If you’ve been a pilot for any amount of time, you’ve heard of AirVenture. It happens to be the largest airshow in the world which takes place every year for one week late in July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Like many others, I simply refer to it as Oshkosh. It may seem far away in an unusual location but it’s far from obscure. And it’s something every aviation enthusiast should visit at least once.
As pilots, we know that a big part of the adventure and the fun is getting there and back. Coming from Fullerton, California, you’ll be flying 1500 miles to get there if you go directly there. But there’s lots to consider on this flight plan. How will get over or around the Rocky Mountains? Where will you stop for fuel? Will you fly it over a couple of days or go all night? These are all great planning experiences for a student pilot. If you’re going over the Rockies, you’ll surely want oxygen available. If you’re going the southern route near Albuquerque, New Mexico, you’ll want to cockpit comfort in the summer heat. Even if you go the northern route, you’re still faced with density altitudes at higher elevation airports such as Rock Springs, WY (KRKS) which had a DA of 9000 ft as I passed through.
Once you get beyond the Rockies, the midwest becomes relatively flat…something us west coast pilots are not used to! Suddenly, the controllers are not as busy and are happy to break the silence and provide flight following. As you make your stops along the way to refuel, take in some fresh air, grab a bite to eat and plan out the next leg of the trip, something magical starts happening. Other planes from all over the US converge randomly at airports all around that have reasonably priced 100LL for sale. These other pilgrims are making their trek to AirVenture as well. The comradery has already begun! We are all excited to be making our annual trip to the homeland of general aviation.
Whether you are flying certified or experimental, we are all in good spirits and welcome the adventure we’re all on. And as you inch your way across the heartland of America, you’ll start to notice a little bit more ADS-B traffic starting to converge towards the tower that boasts a banner that says “World’s Busiest Control Tower”. For one week a year, that is the truth and the NOTAM that goes along with that airport is no joke at 32 pages long.
There are many ways to fly in to KOSH but the most common is the Fisk Arrival. A low approach that involves three lakes, a railroad and radio silence! The operation to get everyone in and down safely is a tremendous undertaking. Know the NOTAM! Keep your eyes outside looking for traffic. As you get close, you’ll hear a control call out your aircraft, “Red and White Bonanza, rock your wings!”. When you comply the excitement grows as they respond, “Welcome to Oshkosh!” and guide you to your runway.
The ground crews are almost all volunteers. In fact, we have many that come from KFUL to help out. The first time I landed at AirVenture, the first person in the ground crew I saw was FAPA’s very own president, Tim Lloyd.
You’ll be guided to park on the grass where you’ll camp for the week. Camping gear isn’t light so be sure to have done your weight and balance for each flight.
Plan your trip so you can stay at least through Wednesday night. That’s the night of the big air show. The drones, the stunt pilots and the fireworks set the bar high above any airshow I’ve ever seen.
This year, like every year, the group from Fullerton convened together for another group photo “under the arch”. Not matter how you got there, you got there! Let’s celebrate together.
If you are a student pilot, keep learning. Keep practicing. Keep dreaming of the sky. You are a part of a much larger community that comes together by the hundreds of thousands every year to celebrate our freedom to fly.