FISK VFR Arrival to OSH: High and Fast, or Low and Slow?

Gash · #1 07-12-2013, 06:07 PM

Just curious to find out peoples' preference for the FISK VFR arrival to Oshkosh in their RVs. Do you like coming in on the low arrival route at 1,800' and 90 kts, or do you prefer the high route at 2,300' and 135 kts?

Neal@F14 · #2 07-12-2013, 06:10 PM

Low and slow for me.

scard · #3 07-12-2013, 06:25 PM

We do have this conversation each year don't we. I have the usual notam right here in front of me. Also, as usual, it is very clear that it doesn't matter what MY "preference" is. It says: Do THIS, "if unable", do THAT.
Now, if we decide to ignore the details fo the notam, that is indeed your choice.

Gash · #4 07-12-2013, 07:22 PM

Uh, thanks for that. I have the NOTAM in front of me too.

I'm not trying to upset anybody's sensibilities with the question. The reason I ask is that last time I got stuck behind a Pietenpol who couldn't do 90 kts, and it got uncomfortable. Of course I wasn't going to stall and fall out of the sky, but that was the day I started wondering about the 135 kt route up there--who actually uses it?

My "preference" is flight safety. Yes, I can drop a little bit of flaps and hang on the blades all the way to OSH, and I'm not opposed to breaking out and going back to the end of the line if needed. But I do wonder about the guy behind me, and behind him, etc. Just curious to know when it's appropriate to call uncle and just fly up there at 2,300 and 135 kts where the RV is happier.

scard · #5 07-12-2013, 07:45 PM

Sorry, just sayin' what needs to be said. Standard MK-I pilot here. My preference is by the book. I can however think of more than half a dozen friends that I can assure you will be in the high route. They are still my friends. To each his own, until they ask my opinion or preference. Find us in HBP and I'll be more than happy to share my beer and swap stories.

Mark Burns · #6 07-12-2013, 08:24 PM

Remember the high guys have to blend in with everyone else when landing.
Seems to me this would make more work for the controllers and overall be less safe.

I'm with Card on this one.

Mark

hydroguy2 · #7 07-12-2013, 08:54 PM

Only been there 2 times, but both times I flew the low/slow, but to be fair...It isn't very busy on Friday before the show.

But I did practice slow flight each year. This year I flew for almost an hour at 70-75 kts. I had 15* of flap and jockeyed the power to hold position for the photo shoot a few weeks ago. Too bad I'm going to Osh this year.

Aurora slideshow

B

RV6_flyer · #8 07-12-2013, 09:12 PM

If able, 90 KIAS low approach.

IF any RV pilot cannot fly 90 KIAS on the low approach, they should not be flying an RV. Time to take it home and put it up for sale.

RV7Guy · #9 07-12-2013, 09:14 PM

Maybe Jeff Point will chime in but I have personally heard the controllers put an RV in a hold to reposition from the high route to the low route. The high route is for planes who cannot slow to 90. Not for those who can fly 90 AND go faster.

Fly the low route at the proper airspeed and knots. My first time in I was behind and Aeronca. I slowed to 80 kts. It is only for a few minutes. Worked out fine.

Go out and practice slow flight at 90 kts and 80 its. Do it for 20 minutes or so for each. Push yourself to perfection in airspeed and altitude. If you cannot do it within reasonable margins, consistently, you probably aren't ready for the fur ball that is Oshkosh.

Two years ago I saw a guy pass another. Also heard a guy on the radio call in like he was just going in any other time. He said, "is there something going on in Oshkosh?" The ATC guy told him to reverse course and leave the area and get the Notam. Pretty confident he got a nice letter from the Gubment.

I'm a newbie in the scheme of Oshkosh. I've only flown in 7 times. Jeff has lots of stories. I'm sure others do to. It is serious business and where mistakes can be fatal and lack of proficiency is dangerous.

Practice up and lets have fun!!!

Frank Smidler · #10 07-12-2013, 09:43 PM

I feel like the high and fast RV's are just cutting to the front of the line. I've had to extend my downwind over the lake due to the the added traffic dropping in from the high route and not following the correct downwind pattern (Rwy 27, stay south of gravel pit). Also if someone can't fly thier RV at 80 kts how do they land? My pattern is 80 kts on downwind and base, 70 kts on final. 80 kts is 1.5x stall and is perfectly safe and I do it every time I fly

.

I wish everyone a safe flight to OSH. See you there.