2009 Flight Plan
Lars is organizing the 2009 flight to Oshkosh. So far we have twelve planes going to Oshkosh from the region. We need more seats, we have more passengers interested than seats available! Pilots and passengers can make contact with Lars, and he will distribute trip-related info in the coming weeks. The route and plans are below:
Why Go?
Homebuilder's dinner, Van's Banquet, TC and FA breakfast. Doughnut mornings, homebuilder's showcase, Workshops and forums, FAA pavilion, NASA, Theatre in the Woods, the incredible museum, Pioneer airport, ultra-light world, warbirds, static displays, aircraft judging, air-race participants, Chapter events, Sea-base, air-show, 10,000+ aircraft, vendor display, deals at the market, and the hundreds of friends with staff and attendees (read volunteers) how all share your love for things aviation! There is nothing like it.
Flying There
Make sure you have the latest NOTAMS printed and with you. Get the latest version and flying instructions just before you leave. If you have a flight plan from Alberta or recommended route please email me and I will post it on the website.
| Flight Route Suggestion #1 (by Paul Gregory) |
| Your humble webmaster (Paul) flew down with an experienced pilot who has flown into Oshkosh for the last 25 years in a row. This is the route we took which, depending on the capabilities of your aircraft, may not be a possible route. We flew down in a v-tailed M35 Bonanza: |
| Day 1: Springbank, AB (CYBW) direct to Williston, North Dakota (KISN) to clear U.S. customs - 3 hours flight. Make sure you follow all the cross border regulations and have the right documents and flight plans. There is a car available at the FSS and close by is a nice buffet restaurant. After lunch we flew direct to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, Minn. (KBRD) (3 hour flight) and stopped for the night. You need a taxi to get to the nearest hotel. This is only 2 hours flight to Oshkosh. |
| Day 2: Brainerd, Minn (KBRD) to Oshkosk, WI (KOSK) (2+ hours) This flight it is crutial you understand the Notams and the procedures thoroughly. Share the tasks with others in the plane. Also be prepared to divert. When we arrived, the airport was shut down due to an accident. While some decided to stay in the holding pattern which was VERY FULL, we diverted to Appleton, WI ( KATW) and took a taxi into the grounds. |
| Return Day 1: Appleton, WI (KATW) to Alexandria, MN (KAXN) - 3 hours to refuel and have lunch. Again a courtesy car is available to a nearby restaurant. Then we flew to Williston, North Dakota (KISN) (another 3 hours) and stayed the night at the local motel. |
| Return Day 2: Williston, North Dakota (KISN) to Lethbridge, AB ( CYQL) - 2.5 hours we cleared customs here. We could have gone straight to Springbank and cleared customs there but the weather was questionable. We then flew IFR (partially) to Springbank CYBW (< an hour). After tying the aircraft down, we made sure we bragged to everyone at the cafe that we were at Airventure! |
Advantages of Flying to Oshkosh
Get there quick, get home quick. Well, maybe weather can bog you down, for a week or two.
Brag that you landed in the busiest airport in the world (for 6 days in July).
Build flight hours going somewhere other that a $100 burger.
People get to admire the airplane that you built or the one the bank still owns.
Can stay on the flight line and never miss the action of arriving and departing aircraft.
Disadvantages of Flying to Oshkosh
You get to camp under your wing with reduced assets to make camping comfortable so if it rains, look out!
Alternately, you stay off-field in a rented house or hotel with the prospect of a traffic jam to get back to the field, EVERY DAY!
Car rental. See above and expensive
You can’t bring back heavy stuff that you bought i.e. welders, drop tanks, large sheets of aluminum, engines, big stuff. etc.
You have to wear the same cloths every day. Maybe that is an advantage.
Port-a Potties.* (at Arlington they’re called Honey Buckets)
Driving There From Southern Alberta
It can be done in two days but two days is pretty hard driving. If you want to take more than two days, you can camp somewhere around Minot, North Dakota on day one, and somewhere around Eau Claire on day two.
Day One: Hwy. 1 to Moose Jaw, then pick up Hwy 39 to the US Border at Northgate. (We like to travel in the USA rather than Canada; cheaper and more interesting.) Once across the Border, pick up Hwy 52 to Minot, North Dakota or Jamestown if you're not too tired.
Day Two: At Jamestown, take Hwy 94 thru Minneapolis and St. Paul and on down to the intersection with Hwy 21 (near Tomah). Pick up Hwy 21 right to Oshkosh. On the western outskirts of Oshkosh, take Hwy 41 south for about a mile or so to the EAA AirVenture site. It is well marked. Watch your speed as you get near Oshkosh on Hwy. 21. The local police force love to pick up extra tax money from out-of-state travelers to Oshkosh.
Camping At AirVenture
You can camp at Camp Scholler at AirVenture. There are no hookups, but there are public showers and other facilities. There is a great deal of camaraderie at this main campsite, and it's close to the AirVenture activities. There are plenty of activities at night incuding free outdoor entertainment and movies. It is an amazingly quiet campground despite the large numbers - all campers are there for Airventure and respect sleep! Also it never fills up so don't worry about having to book anything.
Tips for campers
Go early. Believe it or not, the camp ground is open in June and people begin picking their spots.
Shower before retiring, not in the morning. This avoids the habitual morning riser who is a creature of habit. The showers are army style with curtains.
Bring a bike - the campsite is large - you cannot take bikes on to the grounds however.
Use the Locater Service. This is how you find other chapter members.
Don’t try to be too close to the flight line unless you like the sounds of engines at 7AM. With your bike, you’re mobile, baby.
Bring all of your favorite stuff.
Advantages of camping at Oshkosh
On the field, all day, 24/7 and close to the action. Nothing beats a dawn pre-crowd stroll on the flightline.
With a portable VHF, get to hear all the action and then some.
You get to bring everything you want, fine wines, cheeses, large BBQ’s, entertainment systems, basically all the comforts of home.
With a bicycle, transport is a snap, getting you from home base to all venues.
You bring home the big stuff or just about anything you can fit into your car.
Lots of hot water available.
The Big red barn grocery store has most food and supplies.
Camper locater service makes finding others easy.
Disadvantages of camping at Oshkosh
It's a long drive (from Alberta) especially with a trailer.
You’re in the army now! Showers are a delight with 50 of your flying buddies separated by shower curtains. No hookups.
Dusty if it is dry and it will likely rain so make sure your tent is waterproof (I learned this the hard way!).
Heat, no air conditioning (there are areas set aside for generators though). Wisconsin can be very warm in late July.
Port-a Potties.*
*In fact, EAA Oshkosh is the largest single user in the world for one event of these little beauties and they are clean, serviced daily and almost a delight to use.
Get additional information on where to stay (camping, hotels, etc.) from the EAA website.