This year I flew my old friend's grandson back for his second OSH visit. Enrolled in EAA Air Academy this week, courtesy of his EAA Chapter. 17 years old. Gents, we're kinda jaded. It helps to "see" OSH through the eyes of a kid.
The jets are a good example. For old hands they're just a regular interruption to conversation. The kid, on the other hand, was texting me every time another one arrived. Look, an F-22! The F-35 is here!
Met some kids his own age associated with one of the C-47's, and spent the day on the warbird line in a lawn chair.
Got a picture with the Continental Tire girls. Fighter pilot in training. Worth serious cool when school starts in a few weeks. Look how I spent my summer...
Really wants to be a fighter pilot, like his grandfather. However, he needs some motivation to knuckle down and make grades this coming school year, so he has a shot at ROTC. I have his grandfather's ejection seat spurs, and I've promised them to him when he graduates from whatever the Air Force calls basic pilot training these days. OSH may be too big for my old knees, but if the scope and spectacle helps get the kid to that day, well, isn't it what we all want?