Rotty wrote:
Deal. I've been muttering under my breath that I'm going to Airventure this summer even if it costs me my job (had to cancel last year)... I'm also hoping to be flying with the club by then, but who knows?
Any solid plans yet (all week; one weekend; etc)?
When I went last year, it was for the last Fri/Sat/Sun. I'll admit that I worried if that would be enough... AND after waiting on weather in Kenton for three hours, and waiting the 177RG's gear repair for three hours in Warsaw, I was REALLY worried that time would be short (we didn't land at Oshkosh until nearly sundown, Friday).. Turns out though, that that was plenty of time.. even got a tour in at the museum.
Walking around to/from manufacturers displays entertains me for about an hour or two. Two-three hours of an air show is about my limit (seeing the guy killed by the Avenger took some fun out of it). Actually, the most fun I had was on the second night when we sat and talked to our camping neighbor till 2AM (Cessna 310 owner).
Now that I'm a veteran, I know exactly what I want out of this year's trip. The event itself is just a reason to do it. First and foremost, the trip itself, to/from. My main goal this year, is to fly the VFR flyway up Lakeshore Drive in Chicago (waving my wings to Meigs).. and to make the trip a complete lap of Lake Michigan; with a stop for lunch on Mackinac Island. I got my fill of camping last year too. I'm too old and ornery, sans coffee, to be showering in a trailer (I swear I got a hypochondriactic case of athlete's foot). Secondary, is to survive the Ripon/Fiske approach again (and have the appropriate t-shirt made). Flying in and out of the world's busiest airport is a life-bench-mark, worthy of a repeat.
Tentative plan:
Depart Marysville, Ohio (KMRT) Friday-1100Z; Stop at Warsaw, IN (KASW) to visit the guy who busted his butt to get me on my way last year; Arrive Green Bay (KGRB) by 1700Z do some aerial sightseeing around Door County (and kneel at Lambeau Filed) and spend the night (air-conditioned hotel or friend's house (depending on how he's getting along with his wife))
Get up EARLY Saturday and fly to KOSH for the day and then back to Green Bay for the night.
Sunday... leave Green Bay and make a few stops finishing the lap around Lake Michigan with a few Island stops... Arrive Marysville, Sunday evening.