There's lots of challenges in doing the AirVenture arrivals, and years ago, I helped put the NOTAM into its present format. Along the way, I got to know the folks doing the work and how frustratingly difficult that work is. While it's natural to put improved in quotes, given the many opportunities for frustration, I personally would cut the NOTAM folks a whole lot of slack because I've seen what goes into it.
Those of us on the Front Lines of Vintage (with over 3.5 miles of flight line and taxiway), and the other ground operations areas of the field, have the opportunity to give input to those who are responsible for the
NOTAM on a yearly basis. It is a
LOT OF WORK and no one is going to think it is perfect and supposes that they could do a better job. The best people are on the job already with decades, in some cases, of experience. We have input to what is going out on the ATIS as well, sometimes changing by the MINUTE! That this is the WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORT it takes a LOT to get everyone on the ground (and, eventually, back off the ground again) safely. As Flightline volunteers, we are able to have
direct communication to the Tower Boss who, of course, is in the tower cab, and with the
Papa Operations crew (Papa is the main taxiway) who are 5 former tower controllers who work with us on the ground. We can talk through them to Fisk, if needed, and it is a well-oiled machine that has developed over
decades starting with
Papa Doug a former controller that started the vast improvement in communication with the different areas of the field and the tower. We can talk directly to the traffic controllers on the field, the MooCow, which are the Pink Shirts you see at the departure end of the runways. The tower knows they would not work as well without us and we, of course, have total faith in the tower crew. All of this is voluntary and there is a 2 year waiting list for controllers to work OSH. The Top Dogs up there are VERY well qualified to manage the traffic and teach those up-and-coming controllers. Those of you who have listened to the one-way auctioneer-like tower instructions know what I am talking about! They are THE BEST!
Perfect? No. It is always a work in progress. We learned a LOT from the cluster that was Terrible Thursday last year and that has caused changes. I, personally, think it is THE BEST CREW TO WORK WITH in a VERY high-stressed environment. Think you can do better? Come volunteer and show us how!
Your mileage, of course, will vary. In any case, good for you for putting together a presentation for your chapter, quotes or not!
ANY teaching and learning that can be done is always a good thing. Never think you 'know all of this already' because it is always in constant flux. BUT: very doable! Again, 13,000 airplanes come and go in the 10 or so days things are happening.
See you at OSH!!