This was our first Airventure and although we got off to a rough start it was a blast and we can't wait for next year!
1. Follow your gut -- not your neighbor
More than a few folks gave me the very sound advice to put boards under the wheels so if the ground was soft the plane wouldn't sink. We brought some boards with us and then noticed that nobody followed that advice. Sure enough, the plane sank and we had to rock it out a bit. Nice crack on the front wheel pant to show for not following my gut.
2. Tall standing tents won't survive a storm
We lost our tent the first night due to that first crazy squall line Friday. Somehow found a hotel until our new (and better suited to weather) tent arrived on Tuesday. The hotel was in full rape mode, $366/night for what amounts to a $89/night hotel. Ouch.
3. Rudder locks can break
Yea .. nice ding on my beautiful rudder that I get to fix and have repainted. The 2nd squall line on Saturday broke the gust lock. It's totally my fault too. I had no idea you had to "prime" pvc pipe before cementing. The rudder somehow bent past the rudder stop to contact the elevator but didn't have any other damage. I'm going to re-evaluate my rudder locking system.
4. Flight In -- Flight Out
We were fortunate to not have any issues getting in, went like clockwork, although I didn't impress anybody with my landing, glad the controller said "at or beyond the yellow dot" Same when we left, beautiful and uneventful flights both directions. This was our first long cross country, it was really confidence inspiring. (Thanks, Dan!) The Chicago shoreline was the highlight of my trip.
5. Overwhelming
The actual event was overwhelming, we stayed an extra day. On the very last day we realized we missed the entire vintage section and the seaplane base. So much to see. The museum was really well done, I was blown away.
2020 Oshkosh or bust!
1. Follow your gut -- not your neighbor
More than a few folks gave me the very sound advice to put boards under the wheels so if the ground was soft the plane wouldn't sink. We brought some boards with us and then noticed that nobody followed that advice. Sure enough, the plane sank and we had to rock it out a bit. Nice crack on the front wheel pant to show for not following my gut.
2. Tall standing tents won't survive a storm
We lost our tent the first night due to that first crazy squall line Friday. Somehow found a hotel until our new (and better suited to weather) tent arrived on Tuesday. The hotel was in full rape mode, $366/night for what amounts to a $89/night hotel. Ouch.
3. Rudder locks can break
Yea .. nice ding on my beautiful rudder that I get to fix and have repainted. The 2nd squall line on Saturday broke the gust lock. It's totally my fault too. I had no idea you had to "prime" pvc pipe before cementing. The rudder somehow bent past the rudder stop to contact the elevator but didn't have any other damage. I'm going to re-evaluate my rudder locking system.
4. Flight In -- Flight Out
We were fortunate to not have any issues getting in, went like clockwork, although I didn't impress anybody with my landing, glad the controller said "at or beyond the yellow dot" Same when we left, beautiful and uneventful flights both directions. This was our first long cross country, it was really confidence inspiring. (Thanks, Dan!) The Chicago shoreline was the highlight of my trip.
5. Overwhelming
The actual event was overwhelming, we stayed an extra day. On the very last day we realized we missed the entire vintage section and the seaplane base. So much to see. The museum was really well done, I was blown away.
2020 Oshkosh or bust!
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