Cross your fingers...

[beaky]

...and toes; walk widdershins three times, whatever it takes...

Supposedly I will get final final word on my vacation request (for the week of Airventure) sometime tomorrow- er, later today (Wednesday).
My friend, who is technically my boss but is the perfect "man inside" in practice, has been softening up the project mgr on this disfunctional job that's been threatening to dash my vacation plans, and it looks good. There's no logical reason for me to be there that week, except for the fact that they have so much faith in my competence and, all modesty aside, my sheer brilliance. They're nervous about not having me around as things come to a close, installation-wise. Sigh... why, oh why was I blessed with this extraordinary gift?
There will be other techs on site, and another week after I return to get the system ready for commissioning. It should be a non-issue... and besides, I've earned it (don't get me started).
But- if anyone out there has any pull with The Powers That Be, feel free to put in a word for me.  Prayer, incense, sacrifices, etc... I figure it can't hurt.
I have a really good feeling about Oshkosh this year; I don't want to miss this one.

[Drake_TigerClaw]

Good luck with that man. I want to go there someday too. *Chases gremlins around with a flame thrower*

[beaky]

Good luck with that man. I want to go there someday too. *Chases gremlins around with a flame thrower*

No, no!! Leave the gremlins alone- they're rooting for me, too. They want me to take a long drive in my worn-out car, then maybe go flying in some very old airplanes. They'll do what they have to to get me on my way...

Besides, gremlins are fireproof... how else could they make a jet engine fail?

[Drake_TigerClaw]

Oh *Pats the gremlins on the head and gives them lolly pops* Err... *Chases arachnids around with a flame thrower*

[Brett_Henderson]

My plans are about as solid as weather will allow. Weather allowing.. I'll be flying in Friday the 28th.. and out that Sunday.. We plan to camp under the wing, but have backup beds at a friend's home in Green Bay..

Rotty.. If you want some fun study. Download the NOTAM for flying in and out of there.. It's interesting reading.

If ours schedules there overlap... maybe we can take the Cardinal in and out. I've been practicing spot touchdowns on big runways (you get assigned not only a runway, but a SPOT on that runway once you're cleared past FISKE to land)..

[Drake_TigerClaw]

Oh yeah the "Lets devide this runway into 4 runways" thing.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Good luck Sean...I am sure your boss will be rational if you still have a week after Oshkosh to get the project commissioned.

Have fun!

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[beaky]

Still no word... I may just go AWOL and let the chips fall where they may.

[beaky]

Well, it's a no-go. And on the heels of that news, I get word that I'm needed for another stupid midnight service call tonight... sigh...
 I really need to go into business for myself; it seems whenever I'm working for someone else, they go out of their way to make my lfe miserable for no good reason.
So to those who are going to Oshkosh this year: enjoy, and bring back lots of pictures, especially of some old 172s. I heard the first one off the line in 1956 is still flying, and will be there on display. Hint, hint...

[Craig.]

thats a shame mate. I know how you feel, as I have missed several airshows I wanted to goto due to work.

[Woodlouse2002]

I've missed the only airshow I wanted to go to due to work. The annoying thing is I was off work for the entire previous month, and i'm off work again now. Just that one single week...

[C]

I've missed the only airshow I wanted to go to due to work. The annoying thing is I was off work for the entire previous month, and i'm off work again now. Just that one single week...

Typisch....

[beaky]

thats a shame mate. I know how you feel, as I have missed several airshows I wanted to goto due to work.

I'm sure I'm not alone, and it's comforting.
But Airventure isn't merely an airshow. It's a week of airshows, symposiums, lectures, workshops... and all the airplane-ogling, hangar talk and landing critique sessions any pilot could ask for. More, probably.
But I've made it there once ('03), so I should consider myself lucky. Saw many great performances and extraordinary aircraft from all over the planet; attended presentations on aviation history and the latest in satellite technology; learned a few things about fabrication and restoration techniques; listened to Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, and Neil Armstrong talk about flying; met Dick Rutan and asked him about his brother's work (he was a good sport about it ); met Lane Wallace from Flying magazine and found out she used to live in my neck of the woods; sat in a Europa and talked to a builder/owner; stayed aloft on the full-scale Wright Flyer mockup running FS9 for a minute and a half; took a ride in a 1929 Ford Trimotor... and just reveled in being surrounded by thousands of people all there because they love flying. It's a week of sheer magic.
Maybe next year...

[Willit Run]

Work can really suck!!

  Sorry to hear you can't go!

  They also preview FS there so, I'm sure FSX will be previewed this week.

 See what you can do about AC.  I know it's not Oshkosh but hey you will still get to see some action!!

[Roughrider]

Sorry to here you can't go, It is going to be my first time, I'll take your request for pictures as a challenge, I have my old 35mm and 20 rolls of film packed and ready to go.