Has Oshkosh gotten to big?

[dwranda]

To me the sheer size of it is what makes it different and exciting. I can go to a bunch of air shows within 2 hours of where I live but nothing is like Oshkosh. Whatever you want to see you can see it there. If you only want to see experimentals then don't go anywhere else. Just hang out with them. I love all things aviation so I love seeing all the different aircraft that are there.

[alcladrv]

Originally Posted by Low Pass

One suggestion. For those who think Oshkosh is too big, don't come next year. That will help....

That's a typical smart-a** response trying to discount honest feedback and not conducive to legitimate discussion.

I've attended regularly since 1975, having gotten to 95% of them during those 44 years. It has been the focus and highllight of my summers.

The size of the area "inside the admission gates" seems to be adequate for the crowds. But, the size of the infrastructure (including the FISK arrival) leading to the gates is inadequate for the crowds.

[rocketbob]

If I could have one single wish to be fixed at Oshkosh it would be the trams. Often we give up and walk for the various reasons most of us know.

Eliminating the seats on the trams would make them far more efficient and easier to embark and disembark. Or perhaps standing aisles with seating on the sides.

Disney has this figured out well.

[Paul 5r4]

I don't use the step counter stuff but I do have a full compliment of toes on each of my two feet. I don't know how many steps I walked around that place but......
I do know I ended up with one toe on each foot with a blister!

This begs the question of why doesn't any of the others not have any blister or excessive signs of wear. Makes me think the were all SLACKERS, YES all eight of them. I tried to think of someway to reward the two dudes that pulled more than their fair share during OSH. New pair of socks, new pair of shoes, foot massage. I see the eight slackers sitting back with full knowledge that they will also reap the benefits of anything done for the two that must have done most of the work.
I'm devastated... I'm beginning to feel like my toes are socialist! :-)

[BillL]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

If I could have one single wish to be fixed at Oshkosh it would be the trams. Often we give up and walk for the various reasons most of us know.

Eliminating the seats on the trams would make them far more efficient and easier to embark and disembark. Or perhaps standing aisles with seating on the sides.

Disney has this figured out well.

The trams could certainly be improved, but still better than walking. By Tuesday, they were packed, red and yellow anyway, every one I tried. Packed like a Japanese subway too. The demographics would indicate an increasing need.

It was the east-west hike, 90 deg to the majority of trams, was my challenge - HBC to the flight line.

Not complaining, but if anyone is seeking considerations for an improvement list.

[FlyingBanker]

Originally Posted by BillL

The trams could certainly be improved, but still better than walking. By Tuesday, they were packed, red and yellow anyway, every one I tried. Packed like a Japanese subway too. The demographics would indicate an increasing need.

It was the east-west hike, 90 deg to the majority of trams, was my challenge - HBC to the flight line.

Not complaining, but if anyone is seeking considerations for an improvement list.

The HBC Welcome Wagon was an unexpected nice surprise and certainly helped fill in gaps where tram was not convenient.

[bobnoffs]

i use the trams a lot and they are great but there could be more. what bothers me is the increase in number of wheeled vehicles. walking across a roadway reminds me of playing dodgeball. maybe an improvement in the trans. system would cut down on these vehicles. otherwise.........i want one too. and everyone should have one! [tongue in cheek]

[rvsxer]

Originally Posted by bobnoffs

i use the trams a lot and they are great but there could be more. what bothers me is the increase in number of wheeled vehicles. walking across a roadway reminds me of playing dodgeball. maybe an improvement in the trans. system would cut down on these vehicles. otherwise.........i want one too. and everyone should have one! [tongue in cheek]

There have been complaints about wheeled vehicles from scooters to courtesy cars on the convention grounds for years. Several years ago EAA started restricting where these vehicles could go during the day, and you see signs to that effect. They still have room for improvement on that policy, I think.

[Skid]

Originally Posted by DanH

This year I flew my old friend's grandson back for his second OSH visit. Enrolled in EAA Air Academy this week, courtesy of his EAA Chapter. 17 years old. Gents, we're kinda jaded. It helps to "see" OSH through the eyes of a kid.

The jets are a good example. For old hands they're just a regular interruption to conversation. The kid, on the other hand, was texting me every time another one arrived. Look, an F-22! The F-35 is here!

Met some kids his own age associated with one of the C-47's, and spent the day on the warbird line in a lawn chair.

Got a picture with the Continental Tire girls. Fighter pilot in training. Worth serious cool when school starts in a few weeks. Look how I spent my summer...

Really wants to be a fighter pilot, like his grandfather. However, he needs some motivation to knuckle down and make grades this coming school year, so he has a shot at ROTC. I have his grandfather's ejection seat spurs, and I've promised them to him when he graduates from whatever the Air Force calls basic pilot training these days. OSH may be too big for my old knees, but if the scope and spectacle helps get the kid to that day, well, isn't it what we all want?

I?m with Dan on this.

Many years ago I took a friends 8 yo for a ride in my RV, he was thrilled. My friend then took a job in the MSP area and I didn?t see them much. In conversations with my friend I learned that his son wants to be a professional pilot.

I flew up for lunch a few years back and was asked by his parents what they should do to help their son achieve his dream of being a pilot, the first thing out of my mouth was ?flying lessons? which he is now taking and is close to his first solo. I then suggested my friend and his son come to Oshkosh and camp with me in HBC, which they did the following year. I donated to the restoration of the C47, That?s All Brother, I had 2 slots for a narrated tour that year, his son came along, he was awestruck with the airplane. They were both blown away by the experience and have come back every year since to camp with me in HBC. They checked out aviation colleges, and thoroughly enjoyed the airplanes, all the airplanes. I introduced his son to the many airline pilots I have met at Oshkosh so he could get a better understanding of what the career is really like.

This year he was tracking the UPS 747 on FlightAware as it made its flight in and waited in anticipation for it to land, he did the same with the United 777.
He and his dad loved the F22 and F35, the night airshow and the entire experience, they are already looking forward to next year. I noticed my friend picked up some literature at Vans tent while I was checking out the fit of the RV10, maybe he will build an RV.

Some may think Oshkosh is to big and they may be right, but I wouldn?t go anywhere else for a total aviation experience. The look on my friends sons face as he watches the airplanes is priceless.

[painless]

Originally Posted by Paul 5r4

I don't use the step counter stuff but I do have a full compliment of toes on each of my two feet. I don't know how many steps I walked around that place but......
I do know I ended up with one toe on each foot with a blister!

This begs the question of why doesn't any of the others not have any blister or excessive signs of wear. Makes me think the were all SLACKERS, YES all eight of them. I tried to think of someway to reward the two dudes that pulled more than their fair share during OSH. New pair of socks, new pair of shoes, foot massage. I see the eight slackers sitting back with full knowledge that they will also reap the benefits of anything done for the two that must have done most of the work.
I'm devastated... I'm beginning to feel like my toes are socialist! :-)

I suggest you adjust the toe-in on your landing gear. (Rimshot here).