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08-04-2016, 09:52 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 459
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RV-12 Oshkosh Trip Report? and the unexpected? Part 1
Posting this in the RV-12 section as for me its more about the plane than the trip. Well this year I decided to fly to Oshkosh in my RV-12 loaded up with camping gear (tent, cot & mattress, some food and basic cooking stuff etc..) and to camp for a week, for the very first time under my plane in HBC. Have made the flight once before in N913BC, when it was unpainted, but camping along with acres of RVs around me was a goal I needed to cross off the bucket list.
Major challenge was fitting (what clearly appeared to be way too much) stuff inside the -12. Decided to disassemble the passenger seat, put the cushions in the back, and use that area for the heaviest items and bungee them in place; filled the baggage compartment as best I could with everything else. I weighed every bag and misc item in the days leading up to departure to stay well within CG. In fact, I was clearly well below gross despite what it looks like and the plane flew better than it does when I know I am near gross (less runway, good climb?)
Essentially, with the potential for about 175lbs in the right seat and 50lbs in the back, and with me flying solo, there is more weight capacity than volume even if you pack very efficiently. It was amazing how much stuff I was able to get in there. Even included a Styrofoam cooler, ice and some celebratory beverages for post arrival relaxation.
This time, unlike my prior long trips, I decided to fly a more direct route over Lakes Erie and Michigan in part from my greater confidence in the Rotax after 250 uneventful hours. By flying high, in my case 8,500 feet over Lake Erie for example, there are only short stretches of time/distance where I could not likely glide to land in the event of a lost engine. I carry (wear at times) an inflatable life vest, and also sourced a floatable PLB for the trip. The distance of the Lake Michigan crossing clearly carried more risk but its something I felt comfortable to take on.
Anyhow, departed early Saturday AM from N40 (SkyManor NJ) for first leg to Dunkirk PA on the shores of Lake Erie for fuel. Beautiful clear day, just a lot of head winds that kept me low.
After crossing the lake, this leg brought me across Southern Ontario for about an hour before crossing into Michigan.
Interestingly though, I was handed across three different US controllers for that Canadian route. I also had full ADS-B coverage the whole time at 6,500 feet. Crossed back into the US near Port Huron, MI over the St. Claire River. Amazing turquois color - almost looks like the Caribbean.
Watching the weather beyond KOSH on the Skyview, I decided to modify flight plan and push on a little further to Greenville MI for next fuel stop. Plan was to get as close to KOSH as I could, then top off the tank so that if I got turned back I had a lot of options. While ceilings were low, RIPON?arrival was basically uneventful as traffic was light. I guess coming in from the West this afternoon was not an option for many folks. Had choice of 27 and 36.
Managed to land, find a good camping location fairly near the showers and set up my tent etc? just in time for the rain to start! Nothing like showers and thunderstorms all night to welcome you to Oshkosh. Fortunately, that was the worst night of the week for us.
continued...
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08-04-2016, 10:02 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 459
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RV-12 Oshkosh Trip Report? and the unexpected? Part 2
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08-04-2016, 10:06 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 459
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RV-12 Oshkosh Trip Report? and the unexpected? Part 3
Had a good but brief visit with my folks, but this is also where flying a small GA aircraft in mid summer is not always reliable. I left mid afternoon Saturday for NJ, with a quick stop in Watertown NY for customs clearance. Only made it another half hour south to Hamilton NY as a nasty storm system engulfed the lower east coast and I just couldn’t take the risk to go any further. This is what the weather looked like on Foreflight. I suspect the airlines were grounded too.
Decided to stay the night at a local hotel just by the airport but awoke to IFR ceilings, rain and forecasted thunderstorms on Sunday … your basic VFR flying nightmare. No flying today. Fortunately for me, a good friend and RV-7A owner Jim Kahle just back from Oshkosh himself tracked me down and offered to drive up from his cottage in PA and retrieve me (try finding a rental car in the middle of NY state on a Sunday) and bring me back to NJ. Based on the weather, I would have been stranded there at least another day. Later in the week, another great friend (RV-12 pilot Mark Bishoff) brought me back up to retrieve N913BC and finally bring her home.
Despite the delayed arrival back to NJ, this was an incredible and rewarding journey. 1,450 NM, about 60 gallons of fuel, and 17 hours on the Hobbs. Flew over 5 states, 3 great lakes and 2 countries. Who says an RV-12 isn’t a cross country aircraft?
Now for the unexpected. When I arrived at Oshkosh and registered for camping, I agreed to have my aircraft judged. Never did this before but in the back of my mind I’ll confess that I did have dreams of getting some recognition, a ribbon or maybe even a plaque for at least a decent build. Well, day after day judge’s initials appeared on my propeller sign but I didn’t have a whole lot of expectations as there are a whole lot a great aircraft at Oshkosh.
In any case, come Friday morning, just before departing, I received a letter inviting me to attend the Ultralight/LSA awards dinner if I could. Unfortunately, I was just about to leave town. Well, the next day, already part way on my journey home, one of the judges called me up to inform me that I had been awarded a Light Plane Silver Lindy in the LSA & Ultralight class for N913BC. I didn’t appreciate the significance of the Lindy until doing some quick homework. I could hardly believe it until it was posted for real on the EAA website.
So while the trip was clearly a tremendous success already, even with a challenging trip home, I am obviously thrilled to have learned this news and I’m already dreaming of my next RV-12 adventure.

Last edited by PilotBrent : 08-04-2016 at 10:12 PM.
Reason: typo
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08-04-2016, 10:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 2,269
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Great Photos!
Some great shots over the lake and downtown!
__________________
Cheers,
Pete
Amateur Plane - RV-9A N789PH - 2350+ Hrs
Amateur Radio - KD0CVN
Doggies Delivered - 25+
St. Paul, MN
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08-04-2016, 11:13 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 873
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Congratulations on the Lindy; your plane looks great! And thanks for the trip report. Good inspiration for those of us still pulling rivets!
__________________
Mark
RV-12iS Fuselage
RV-9A Project: Sold
VAF donation made for 2020
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08-05-2016, 05:42 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hinckley, Ohio
Posts: 2,066
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This year was my 4th trip to OSH by car. I attended the LSA Repairman's Course so I can now do my own ELSA condition inspection. I stuck around on Sunday after the airshow and witnessed the mass exodus - estimate 200+ planes departed on 18L/18R in about 90 minutes. I'm going to begin a year long planning to fly up next year. I have to improve my skills and procedural training significantly. I'll need to cross Lake MI rather than route around Chicago. I'm planning to fly solo in order to allow baggage, but more importantly, I think it best I do this alone the first time for safety.
PilotB - thanks for the inspiration...
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Jim Stricker
EAA #499867
PPL/ASEL 1970 - Sport Pilot since 2007
80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203
1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H
Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 622 
LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM
Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk
MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H
Last edited by Piper J3 : 08-05-2016 at 05:49 AM.
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08-05-2016, 06:02 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 689
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Awesome Brent
Silver Lindy!!
Congrats!
__________________
Mark
RV-9A; Sold 
RV-14A; Building
2020 =VAF= donor
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08-05-2016, 07:45 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
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Big congratulations on your Lindy. That's quite an accomplishment. Great trip report and great looking airplane.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN
www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold
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08-05-2016, 08:26 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jonesboro Arkansas
Posts: 20
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What a great trip report, thanks for sharing.
Rich
Rv-12
Emp Done working on wings
Fuse ordered
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08-05-2016, 08:31 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 124
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Great Trip Report. Beautiful Ariel Photographs. Congratulations on your Lindy.
__________________
Joe Arluck
Livermore, CA
RV-12, S/N 120419
Empennage/Tailcone finished
Wings finished
Most of Finishing Kit finished
"It's sitting on the Landing Gear"
Engine mostly installed
Avionics Kit in Hand
Currently fitting wings
Paid 2018
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