getting ready for Oshkopsh and what to take

[Kevin O'Halloran]

As Oshkosh nears, preparations enter a feverish pitch. Camping equipment, inspected and laid out next to the plane, everything weighed. Coolers ready for the onslaught of ice and liquid refreshment. Tiedowns are prepared and new boards for under the wheels have been cut. Wardrobe is easier with several oshkosh shirts now in hand. A few years ago a fellow traveler shared his trick of bringing less than new apparel for recycling. Wear it and toss it, leaves room to bring new acquired items. The EAA's bargain tent always provides some good deals. Binoculars and handheld radios with plenty of spare batteries for the evening arrival show. Aircraft spruced up, traveling tool kit and parts set out. Oshkosh Notam and taxi signs made up. Endless route planning and the myriad of what if's involved, weather, fuel prices, last minute work issue time constraints, etc.
The usual plethora of plebeian preparations.
The real task of adjusting the body to the epicurean delights of the summer is the most rewarding. Having another beer at night to more assimilate the capacity needed is hardly a disdainful endeavor. The purchase of the first of several packages of Johnsonville Brats to better entice the tastebuds so the cry of "Give me this day my daily Brat" can be deliciously fulfilled by the epitome of gastronomical delights found at many venues throughout the grounds.Communal breakfast and coffee to start each day-less than 100 days to go.
Plenty of Zantac, Pepsid, Prilosec, Tums or Gaviscon will be added to the first aid kit in case a neighbor is ill prepared.

Go out and get a good pair ( or 2) of walking shoes---at least 2 or 3 times a week walk a min of 2 miles. That should get you somewhat ready for the 40 or 50 miles you will walk during Oshkosh.
AND--if there is anything your plane needs--DO IT NOW !!!!--its funny how those little jobs turn into big jobs.
Also start hiding money --you don't want the wife --AKA "the one who must be obeyed" to find out what it really cost to go to Oshkosh for the week

will do another post on what to take

[Kevin O'Halloran]

part one of list




below is a list of some of the basics to take
Ice chest or folding soft side cooler for beer



Tent--if new --set it up and get it wet



Hammer for tent stakes and tie downs



Inflatable camping mattress - don't forget inflator!



Inflatable pillow or normal pillow



Sheets, blankets or light sleeping bag



Canopy for shade



Plastic tarp



Small bucket and sponge



Garbage bags



Paint brush or small broom to sweep out tent



Clothes pins and camping cord



Folding chairs



Small aluminum folding table



Large hat



Sun block--higher the rating the better



Several pairs of sunglasses



Backpack



Water bottle



Rain jacket or poncho

[Kevin O'Halloran]

part 2 of list




Cell phone and charger----write down all your important # on a piece of paper--that way if you lose your phone--you will have those numbers



Digital camera and charger



Air band radio - Make P-touch label with OSH Freq's of interest & stick on side



Knife



Mosquito repellant



Lip balm



Pens and notebook for seminars, parts, etc



Camping lantern



Portable fm/weatherband radio



Flashlight and or head light



Duct tape



Disposable plates, cups and utensils



Toilet paper



Mirror



Scissors



Zip lock bags and paper towels



Alarm clock



Basic tools



Baby wipes and hand soap



Shaving kit, tooth brush and paste,shampoo,etc



Several towels



Sandals



OTC medications and any LEGAL drugs you normally take



Blister pads and First aid kit



Aluminum foil



Extra batteries



Ear plugs



Laptop and locking cable



Power source to charge stuff



MP3/CD player with headphones







1"x8x18" boards to park plane on



Tie-downs for plane - not the corkscrew type



Canopy Cover



Pitot Cover



Business cards to give to new friends



EAA,VAA,AOPA etc membership cards



Read OSH NOTAM ( at least 10 times--and not the night before you leave or just before you get to Fisk







Clothes---shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc + extra in case of weather delays



Multiple pairs of comfortable walking shoes



Waterproof container----a BIG rain storm can get things wet----even inside the tent.



Cool weather stuff----its been known to get down into the 40s at Oshkosh .



Snacks and water in the plane--keep you going until trip to store at Oshkosh
thats about it---some people will want more stuff--some less---this is just a general guide. Good luck---fly safe---if you have bad weather--sit it out---someone will have a cold beer for you when you get there.
Kevin

[Bill Greenwood]

Kevin, I think Shakelford took less stuff than that to the pole!

[MEdwards]

getting ready for "Oshkopsh" and what to take
If Kevin could spell, he'd be just about perfect. :)

I second his suggestion of "1x8x18 boards to park plane on." I made mine out of aluminum as Kevin suggested once, and they were completely successful at getting the plane moving at the end of the week. Also found a use for them back home, helping to get the wheels over the bump and the door rails at the hangar threshold.

Mike E

[Jim Clark]

Been camping in Vintage since 1988 and offer a couple suggestions:1. Don't take extra T-shirts, you're going to buy T-shirts.2. Bring 'Body & Hair' combined shower soap. 1bottle can handle your whole crew. 3. Find a great camp chair that fits in your plane. 4. Spend the money and buy a backpackers cot or buy a bigger airplane. Cot is usually cheaper.

[Kiwi ZK-CKE]

This is really useful info guys!
I'm currently making plans and saving leave to come and visit Oshkosh in 2013. A big adventure for a New Zealander!
I would be coming via England, as I have family there, and would work the Oshkosh pilgrimage into the return leg. I really like camping (especially with friendly aviation people) and want to get the "Oshkosh experience" Unfortunately travelling by "passenger tube" will severely limit how much stuff I can bring, so I guess I would have to buy a tent, sleeping bag etc somewhere on the way and dispose of it before the return to NZ. does anyone have any other suggestions?
I'd actually like to make contact with some other enthusiasts as I'd love to fly in (preferably in a classic taildragger) with an experienced local. still working out all the details, but OSH2013 is still more than a year away.
Would love to hear more OSH survival tips!

[FlyingRon]

Oshkosh is pretty lightweight camping if you want it to be. There's no strict requirement that you have much more than your clothes, a tent, and something to sleep on. If you want to retain the stuff, you can probably send it home UPS by slow boat. Starting now I'm sure we can find you a mentor by 2013.

[malexander]

This is really useful info guys!
I'm currently making plans and saving leave to come and visit Oshkosh in 2013. A big adventure for a New Zealander!
I would be coming via England, as I have family there, and would work the Oshkosh pilgrimage into the return leg. I really like camping (especially with friendly aviation people) and want to get the "Oshkosh experience" Unfortunately travelling by "passenger tube" will severely limit how much stuff I can bring, so I guess I would have to buy a tent, sleeping bag etc somewhere on the way and dispose of it before the return to NZ. does anyone have any other suggestions?
I'd actually like to make contact with some other enthusiasts as I'd love to fly in (preferably in a classic taildragger) with an experienced local. still working out all the details, but OSH2013 is still more than a year away.
Would love to hear more OSH survival tips!

PM sent.

[steve]

Kiwi,
While riding the city bus downtown for dinner at Roxy's Supper Club back in '09, I chatted with a Bush Caddy builder from NZ. He was a repeat OSH visitor and he preferred staying in the university dorms - low rates and no camping gear needed.

[Matt Gonitzke]

Kiwi,
While riding the city bus downtown for dinner at Roxy's Supper Club back in '09, I chatted with a Bush Caddy builder from NZ. He was a repeat OSH visitor and he preferred staying in the university dorms - low rates and no camping gear needed.

It's far too late for that this year...those get booked much earlier than this.

[malexander]

It's far too late for that this year...those get booked much earlier than this.

In his original post, he said he's saving leave & planning for 2013. :)

[Sawdust]

Ok - this is NOT for you lucky souls who fly in! For those of us who "wheel" in, we can bring a bit more to make camp more comfortable. For us "heavy campers" here's my list for living in luxury at Camp Scholler. For reference, we drive in from Houston, in a Chevy Suburban, so we pack heavy and enjoy ourselves for 9 days of Oshkosh bliss!


Camp Kitchen


Portable Grill


Propane Burner


Propane Tanks


Grill Griddle


BBQ Tools-fork, spatula, tongs, cleaning brush


Cast Iron Skillet, saucepan


Can Opener


Spoon, Ladle, Meat Fork, Knives, Sauce brush


Cutting board


Sponge, Dish Towels


Large Cooler for pantry foods


Large Cooler for meats


Dry Ice


Tin Foil


Freezer Bags




Camp


Shower flip flops


Jackets, Hoodies





Sheets, blankets, pillows


Sleeping Bags


Air Mattresses


Battery powered Inflator for air mattresses


Batteries for inflator, lanterns


Bath Towels


Plastic Tarps


Canopy 10' x 10' with


Tie Down Stakes for canopy


Chairs


Camp Tables


Tent


Clips for hanging towels


USA Flag and Pole


5 gal water bags


Tiny Bungees - all kinds of camp hanging/tie downs


Generator


Generator Gas 5 gal.


Extension cords, power strips


Binoculars


Tent lanterns with batteries





Flashlights - little LED keychain lights


Sun Lotion


Bug Spray


Leatherman Tool





Camp Dry -waterproofer

[Zack Baughman]

Just to reiterate what others have already said - bring your most comfortable pair of walking shoes, because you WILL be putting a lot of miles on your feet during your visit, and a good pair of shoes can make all the difference in the world. SUNSCREEN! Even on cloudy days, you will be outside 90% of the time and you WILL get a sunburn if you do not protect yourself. I suggest SPF 50 or higher, and a wide brimmed hat or neckerchief to keep the sun off the back of your neck. Getting a lobster burn on the back of your neck on the first day here can really put a damper on the rest of your visit.

To be honest, most everything else can be purchased on site or nearby, so don't worry too much if you forget to pack something.

Zack

[Kevin O'Halloran]

Kevin, I think Shakelford took less stuff than that to the pole!

We could not take it all in one trip--this is what we dropped off last week
I want to see you Mooney guys do this :D
Kevin02011

[steveinindy]

I always try to carry a bandana with me it comes in handy for those times I need to wipe sweat from my brow or neck or drool from my chin. Like the time I got to sit in a P-38.....

(I was going to post a link to the picture, but apparently the photographer has taken it out of their Flicker stream. :( )

[Kevin O'Halloran]

after looking at the long term forcast--think you can leave your cold weather clothing at home. Going to be a HOT Airventure !!!!!
Kevin