sprucemoose
Well Known Member
With the big show just a few weeks away, many of you are no doubt already making plans to attend. For many, it will be your first trip. I encourage everyone who feels up to the task to do it- you can’t beat the feeling of accomplishment that comes from successfully arriving at the world’s busiest airport in an airplane you built yourself.
That said, I have compiled a list of required reading materials. Anyone flying in for the first or twentieth time should take the time to read all of them. You’ll no doubt learn something, and it will make the experience better for you, and for everyone else at the same time.
1. The OSH arrival NOTAM. This is the starting point. If you read nothing else, then read this, and carry it with you in the cockpit.
2. Rick Durden’s Avweb column from 2001. He wrote this in response to his experiences at Oshkosh 2001. This is quite possibly the best piece of aviation journalism I have ever read. You should all read it too. Some of you on this forum may recognize yourself in his writings, if so take it to heart.
3. Mike Kosta’s recent RV-List post about flying into Oshkosh. Mike is my counterpart in Antique/Classic (RV-4 driver) and has a lot of good things to say. If you want to read more, and I mean a lot more, try doing an archive search on the RV-List archives. There are almost 20 years of collected wisdom in these archives. Try a search on “OSH” for starters.
4. An article that I wrote for the summer 2004 RVator, about ground operations at Oshkosh. Just because you’ve got the mains planted on the orange dot, don’t think you’re home free. You need to be up to speed on how to get around on the ground. As one of the guys in charge of RV parking at Oshkosh, I’ve seen some real stupid pilot tricks. Please don’t try to show me anything new.
And, most importantly, please be safe. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you, and you'll be fine.
That said, I have compiled a list of required reading materials. Anyone flying in for the first or twentieth time should take the time to read all of them. You’ll no doubt learn something, and it will make the experience better for you, and for everyone else at the same time.
1. The OSH arrival NOTAM. This is the starting point. If you read nothing else, then read this, and carry it with you in the cockpit.
2. Rick Durden’s Avweb column from 2001. He wrote this in response to his experiences at Oshkosh 2001. This is quite possibly the best piece of aviation journalism I have ever read. You should all read it too. Some of you on this forum may recognize yourself in his writings, if so take it to heart.
3. Mike Kosta’s recent RV-List post about flying into Oshkosh. Mike is my counterpart in Antique/Classic (RV-4 driver) and has a lot of good things to say. If you want to read more, and I mean a lot more, try doing an archive search on the RV-List archives. There are almost 20 years of collected wisdom in these archives. Try a search on “OSH” for starters.
4. An article that I wrote for the summer 2004 RVator, about ground operations at Oshkosh. Just because you’ve got the mains planted on the orange dot, don’t think you’re home free. You need to be up to speed on how to get around on the ground. As one of the guys in charge of RV parking at Oshkosh, I’ve seen some real stupid pilot tricks. Please don’t try to show me anything new.
And, most importantly, please be safe. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you, and you'll be fine.
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