Van's Air Force
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Best days to hit Oshkosh?
- Thread starter airguy
- Start date
At the beginning of the show, the vendors seem friendlier because they aren't all talked out and fatigued from answering the same questions endlessly. At the beginning, the RVers usually help fillup the homebuilt parking and camping areas. It thins out as the week progresses. The weekend attracts more general public airshow attendees.
I usually go 3 or 4 days at the beginning, but that's weather dependent. It's a whole lot less fun when it's super hot or raining. It is an outdoor event after all. One year, after two 90+ degree days, one of which was spent almost entirely in the museum, I drove 5 hours home and came back three days later after it cooled off.
Everyone has a different perspective of what's best for them.
I usually go 3 or 4 days at the beginning, but that's weather dependent. It's a whole lot less fun when it's super hot or raining. It is an outdoor event after all. One year, after two 90+ degree days, one of which was spent almost entirely in the museum, I drove 5 hours home and came back three days later after it cooled off.
Everyone has a different perspective of what's best for them.
Far North Texan
Active Member
terry.mortimore
Well Known Member
We always go the Saturday before to get a good campsite. Usually pull out on Thursday.
Monday night concert is a high point and the Wednesday night air show is something to see.
I have noticed in the last few years they are scheduling some of the top acts later in the week. The Snowbirds are at the end of the week this year, may have to stay the whole week this year.
Terry
Monday night concert is a high point and the Wednesday night air show is something to see.
I have noticed in the last few years they are scheduling some of the top acts later in the week. The Snowbirds are at the end of the week this year, may have to stay the whole week this year.
Terry
LettersFromFlyoverCountry
Well Known Member
You can't make a bad decision here. but I think Dan is right, you probably want to hit the Monday get-together, which, of course, I've missed for several years now because I fly over twice to accommodate schedules of my sons who want to come over.
I think this year I'll fly over three times.
I think this year I'll fly over three times.
TrutrakTech
Well Known Member
As a vendor who attends, I'll offer one counterpoint to this.
Towards the end of the week, the volume of "actual customers" decreases significantly. True, we are tired and usually ready to go home. But a visit and conversation with an actual (potential) customer is a welcome refresher to the multitude of "How much does this cost?" locals. There are advantages to the end, too. 
Sat thru Thur
As noted in the thread Saturday through Thursday works well, arrivals on Saturday are lower so a little less stressful (you have to plan around some mass arrivals).
Sat: If you camp with the experimentals the choice of parking is better, restaurant wait is short
Sun: You can stroll around and relax and watch the increasing arrivals, can also still eat at local restaurants without major wait. Can also check out some vendors early.
Mon: Dan et als bash in the evening, also the concert
Wed: Night airshow and fireworks, worth seeing.
Thurs: Depart before the weekend crowd.
Our group has done this for the past three years and it works well.
As noted in the thread Saturday through Thursday works well, arrivals on Saturday are lower so a little less stressful (you have to plan around some mass arrivals).
Sat: If you camp with the experimentals the choice of parking is better, restaurant wait is short
Sun: You can stroll around and relax and watch the increasing arrivals, can also still eat at local restaurants without major wait. Can also check out some vendors early.
Mon: Dan et als bash in the evening, also the concert
Wed: Night airshow and fireworks, worth seeing.
Thurs: Depart before the weekend crowd.
Our group has done this for the past three years and it works well.
Jerry Fischer
Well Known Member
Any 3 or 4 consecutive days of the week that end in the letter Y.
At AirVenture 2015, I found out that the best day to talk to vendors and see and demo their new products was the last day of the event.
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I used to go every year during the 80s and early 90s, but haven't been there in the last 20 yrs or so.
As the new owner of my very own RV I thought this year might be a good time to get reacquainted with OSH.
Used to be that the experimentals had their own parking area and were grouped by type, but I don't remember if you could camp by your plane or not like you could if you parked in the GA area.
How does tent camping work now? - can you [do you] camp by your plane or is there a special camping area?
As the new owner of my very own RV I thought this year might be a good time to get reacquainted with OSH.
Used to be that the experimentals had their own parking area and were grouped by type, but I don't remember if you could camp by your plane or not like you could if you parked in the GA area.
How does tent camping work now? - can you [do you] camp by your plane or is there a special camping area?
AltonD
Well Known Member
I stayed through Sunday a couple of years ago, before they had the Wednesday night air show. It occurred to me Sunday morning while I was packing my plane for departure, I could count all the planes in HBC on two hands.
Sunday through Thursday for me, +or - weather. The night show is worth the extension.
Sunday through Thursday for me, +or - weather. The night show is worth the extension.
AZtailwind
Well Known Member
Home built camping- the HBC sign you display will guide you to a large grass Parking lot-corner to the warbird parking. I don't think that has changed much over the years, count all the RV 6's!
Are the Okies really going to let you fly? Or are you the lead??
Not sure yet but spacing will be discussed
Jerry Fischer
Well Known Member
Roger that...
I understand completely...
I understand completely...
Jerry Fischer
Well Known Member
Toobuilder
Well Known Member
Don't discount the entertainment value of watching the arrivals - particularily the bigger "type" groups trying to land in formation.
Its more fun than some of the airshow displays.
Its more fun than some of the airshow displays.
As the chairman of HBC welcome, the first round is always on the newbie..
Fair enough!
LettersFromFlyoverCountry
Well Known Member
Which reminds me. If you stay until Saturday or Sunday, you get to go over the pile of stuff that people leave behind up by Jerry's headquarters.
It's usually brand new stuff that people bought -- tents, cots, etc.
And always beer. Lots of beer.
It's usually brand new stuff that people bought -- tents, cots, etc.
And always beer. Lots of beer.
Thanks for reminder Bob. Now I know where and when to get my free AK gear
