Oshkosh arrival - How many take the high pattern?

[Chino Tom]

I was reviewing the OSH Notam last night and was thinking back to the previous years (5) that I had flown my -6 there. This year the -8 heh will make its first trip. Every previous arrival had been in the low and slow pattern (1800 msl, 90 kts). My last trip was in 2006 (6 of us from SoCal in trail) and what seems to be the norm, we were following an aircraft that was maybe going 70 kts (a Mooney Mite this time). Now 70 kts in an RV is no problem but it was 90 deg and by the time we landed and taxied to parking, most of us with carbs could barely keep our engines running due to the gas boiling in them! Heat soaking the engine for so long wasn't much fun. My question is, how many of you take the high road, 2300 msl, 135 kts?

[N941WR]

Tom,

Last year I took the low road and still had a difficult time getting it down where the controller wanted me. I had to slip it from downwind through to very short final to hit the spot he wanted.

The -9 can fly so slow that this isn't an issue and I didn't have the heat problem you experianced.

I would be afraid that if I flew up high, I might be in the next county by the time I got my FP -9 slowed down and low enough to land.

[scard]

Originally Posted by N941WR

I would be afraid that if I flew up high, I might be in the next county by the time I got my FP -9 slowed down and low enough to land.

But with a big fat heavy CS prop up front, I can tell you that it wouldn't be a problem. With all the drag out, we easily almost parachute down onto the numbers from pattern altitude (or above).

[Chino Tom]

I'm not concerned with the flying part, the RV can be an elevator if you want
it to! In the previous times arriving at OSH it seems the low pattern was
routed to 18/36 (although in 2006, one of those Czech jet trainers cut in
front of us on final to 36L, we had to go around and land on 36R). My question
is has anyone used the high pattern? It seems logical that the
higher speed traffic would be directed to the other runway 09/27.

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Tom,

Last year I took the low road and still had a difficult time getting it down where the controller wanted me. I had to slip it from downwind through to very short final to hit the spot he wanted.

The -9 can fly so slow that this isn't an issue and I didn't have the heat problem you experianced.

I would be afraid that if I flew up high, I might be in the next county by the time I got my FP -9 slowed down and low enough to land.

I agree totally. I am taking the low road in this matter.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by David-aviator

I agree totally. I am taking the low road in this matter.

Me too! I have heard several people chastised for flying the high route in an RV. Bluntly, if you can't fly an RV at 90 knots, you shouldn't be anywhere near OSH.

John Clark ATP, CFI
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[Jamie]

I took the high route last year, but only because the controller said "if you can do 135kts get up to 2300 for me". Inbound I went over two v-tail Bonanzas and a Mooney who were down below doing 90kts. Quite honestly I felt pretty lame at that point.

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by John Clark

Me too! I have heard several people chastised for flying the high route in an RV. Bluntly, if you can't fly an RV at 90 knots, you shouldn't be anywhere near OSH.

John Clark ATP, CFI
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

I agree John, I believe the NOTAM says somthing about flying the higher route ONLY if your plane cannot maintain the lower speeds.

Too soon for me to start reading the NOTAM, I won't be able to sleep at night getting all excited about OSH.

[zilik]

Originally Posted by Chino Tom

I'm not concerned with the flying part, the RV can be an elevator if you want
it to! In the previous times arriving at OSH it seems the low pattern was
routed to 18/36 (although in 2006, one of those Czech jet trainers cut in
front of us on final to 36L, we had to go around and land on 36R). My question
is has anyone used the high pattern? It seems logical that the
higher speed traffic would be directed to the other runway 09/27.

Two years ago Lucky did the high approach after he was cut off in the low pattern. It worked well for him too! I might try it this year but so far I have had no problems low and slow.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by Geico266

Too soon for me to start reading the NOTAM, I won't be able to sleep at night getting all excited about OSH.

So that's why I have been having trouble sleeping!

John Clark
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA