Oshkosh Early in the Week vs Later

ethand · #1 01-20-2020, 02:18 PM

Early planning for the late July event to coincide with family trip to Michigan. Planning to fly my RV-10 there for the first time after visiting in 2016 and 2018 via the airlines.

My question is how good is the show later in the week? I realize I will miss the RV-10 dinner, Dan H beer night and the Sunday beer tasting (sad about all three) but are there other social events later in the week? Assuming some number of airplanes will depart before we arrive. All the vendors stay all week? Less presentations or workshops later in the week?

Hoping to arrive Thursday and depart Sunday.

Thanks for the input

E

RV10Man · #2 01-20-2020, 02:34 PM

Presentations and vendors are there ALL week, up to the last minute.

airguy · #3 01-20-2020, 02:37 PM

Some (many? most?) of the vendors get tired and short-tempered later in the week - but the party atmosphere rolls on regardless.

MED · #4 01-20-2020, 02:52 PM

Friday and Saturday are the big days for attendance by the local community, and the biggest airshow is Saturday, I believe. Many who fly in depart before the weekend to avoid the larger crowds. Plus, as someone else said, the vendors are exhausted. I believe they can?t leave until the show closes, however.

plehrke · #5 01-20-2020, 02:57 PM

It seems every year the experimental flyin is early in the week. The RV activities, as you mentioned, are early in the week for that reason. Many bug out mid week. Best air shows are late in the week since that is when most of the general public comes. Every time I come late in the week I vow to come early the next year as I feel I missed many of the RVs.

flytoday · #6 01-20-2020, 03:18 PM

When I depart HBP on the final Sunday afternoon it seems 90% of the Homebuilts are already gone.....

Concur with other posters, the time to see Homebuilts and pilots visiting HBP and HBC is the earlier part of the week. Of course daily weather is a huge factor.

Carl
..

kbalch · #7 01-20-2020, 03:36 PM

I'm planning to be there this year with the new -14A. Weather permitting, of course, I'll plan to arrive on Sunday and depart on Wednesday morning.

We'll probably find an AirBnB, but will need a rental car. Is there a rental agency on the field during the show?

odens_14 · #8 01-20-2020, 03:41 PM

I've always enjoyed the last weekend, although I'm not really a social person so missing the parties isn't a big thing to me. If it is to you, definitely try for early in the week as that's when all the organized ones are.

I haven't had a negative interaction with a vendor anytime during the week, but they certainly are more tired towards the end of the week. I've found if you just give them a little bit of grace on their lack of enthusiasm while they are answering the same question for the thousandth time that week they're still happy to answer any questions you have.

The huge plus for me late in the week is the arrival. You indicated it's your first time flying in, but I'm sure you've heard how much of a furball it can be the first Saturday, Sunday, or Monday especially if there's any weather involved. In my 4 fly-in trips I have arrived around 9-10:30 am on both Thursday and Friday and it's always been super simple ripon, fiske, right turn to 36, short taxi direct to HBC; no holds, no close calls, no sweat. Leaving before 8 Sunday morning, was always a quick taxi to 18 and little or no wait; the one year I waited until later Sunday, maybe 11am, the wait (20 min) and temps (pax and oil) got uncomfortable.

plehrke · #9 01-20-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbalch

I'm planning to be there this year with the new -14A. Weather permitting, of course, I'll plan to arrive on Sunday and depart on Wednesday morning.

We'll probably find an AirBnB, but will need a rental car. Is there a rental agency on the field during the show?

Yes, I have rented cars many times over the last 10 years but not in the last several. You need to make it over to the terminal building on the north side of the airport. One year the homebuilt welcome wagon drove me over. Other times I hopped the north forty school bus.

rleffler · #10 01-20-2020, 05:19 PM

Many in HBP and HBC start leaving on Tuesday and Wednesday. I?ve left on Thursday morning the last four years.

It really depends on your objectives. If you want to see other RVs and socialize, the first half the week is better. The HBC corn roast is Wednesday, Van?s dinner and the Black Otter dinner is on Tuesday, and the Home builders is on Thursday, plus the others you mentioned.

With that said it?s nearly impossible to see all of OSH, even if you?re there all week. The activities are noticeably different between the first of the week and the end.