Early Fly-In Arrival for AirVenture 2013

[CarlOrton]

Hi, All;

To celebrate the 2012 first flight of my Sonex, I am really wanting to fly-in this year. Although technically I've flown-in before, that was in a twin with another PIC, so I didn't have too much skin in the game.

I was thinking of arriving on the Friday before in order to miss most of the mass arrival confusion.

Anything special to know? Is homebuilt parking open at that time? (Specifically, by the Sonex booth...) Volunteers on the ground? I've read the notam in the past, but can't recall if special rules are in effect (Ripon/Fisk) on Friday or if everything starts on Saturday.

Thanks;

[FlyingRon]

Friday before is the first day of the NOTAM rules I believe. Certainly all ground operations and parking is operating by then. I arrive usually around Wednesday (before the NOTAM is in effect) and everything is running there.

[rleffler]

Carl,

You should be just fine arriving on Friday. As far as HBP/HBC goes, its pretty much like the next week minus a whole bunch of traffic. I've flown in twice and landing just before noon on Saturday. It wasn't a big deal. I don't think it starts getting really crazy until later on Saturday and Sunday.

bob

[Anymouse]

I'm curious if there's any documentation about the arrivals. In other words, historically, when are the busiest and slackest times. So far all I've ever heard was anecdotal info.

For the record, the only time I've been able to fly into Oshkosh was on a Tuesday about an hour or so before the show started. Only traffic was a Cub type aircraft and some jet that got on the frequency trying to explain that since he wasn't part of the airshow, he didn't have to comply with the NOTAM. Leaving on Saturday was pretty much a non-issue as well.

[rleffler]

I'm sure Jeff Point would be willing to share his team's busy times.

[CarlOrton]

Great! Thanks for the info, folks;

[FlyingRon]

As far as the runways go it seems (before the show starts) to be busiest about midmorning and again in the early evening 6-7. However, it's not really ever been THAT busy even during the show in the past years. I typically enter and leave several times on fly-outs or other ride giving.

[Kevin O'Halloran]

I fly in the Thursday before the show (before the restrictions start)---usually file IFR--needed it last year (900 foot ceilings)---and the flood 3 years ago when it was raining so hard the tower could not see me after I landed.
I love Oshkosh a few days before the show starts--lots of energy in the air--fun watching the formation groups come in. Displays being put up, etc.
We have also started flying up in May for the first work weekend---One of my friends comes from California--we then fly non stop to Oshkosh in my Bonanza from Oklahoma--I KNOW--its stupid and costs a lot in gas to just come up so they can work us like dogs on the grounds of Airventure--but damn--its just a lot of fun !!!!!
2013 will be my 18th straight year for attending
Kevin

[CarlOrton]

OK; follow-up question: We always stay at the dorms (wife is a regular attendee). Since my dorm reservation (or anyone's, for example) begins on Saturday night.

Has anyone stayed at the dorms *before* they officially open, and, if not, (and not camping), do the area hotels have rooms for the Friday night before (as in, without charging $500/night [said facetiously]).

thanks!

[Kevin O'Halloran]

We have a house for the week starting on sat----we book a local hotel for the thursday and friday night before airadventure.
Book online and we get the rate of $55.00 a night. starting sat the hotel goes to $300.00 a night !!!!!
Kevin

[malexander]

I fly in the Thursday before the show (before the restrictions start)---usually file IFR--needed it last year (900 foot ceilings)---and the flood 3 years ago when it was raining so hard the tower could not see me after I landed.
I love Oshkosh a few days before the show starts--lots of energy in the air--fun watching the formation groups come in. Displays being put up, etc.
We have also started flying up in May for the first work weekend---One of my friends comes from California--we then fly non stop to Oshkosh in my Bonanza from Oklahoma--I KNOW--its stupid and costs a lot in gas to just come up so they can work us like dogs on the grounds of Airventure--but damn--its just a lot of fun !!!!!
2013 will be my 18th straight year for attending
Kevin



That's not stupid.:) 2 years ago, IIRC, my niece was getting married the weekend we go to OSH. So, my brother & I took my 5th wheel up, and parked it at Sleepy Hollow the weekend before so we could drive throught the night after the wedding in Clinton.
Turned out to be a very good thing, because the week it was sitting there, it rained ALL week. (Sloshkosh)

[FlyingRon]

I came in IFR last year (Wednesday before the show IIRC). It was the first time I'd ever done that. Long about Milwaukee I realized that OSH was 900 OVC and asked Milwaukee if we could get a popup (we were receiving flight following/class C services). After confirming I was instrument rated and equipped I got cleared and eventually vectors to the RNAV 9 approach.

[Cary]

The hardest part about going in IFR is getting the slot reservation--got mine last year at the last minute, about 5:30 a.m., after trying for a couple of days.

But VFR isn't hard, either, unless the weather is down. It's handy if you have a passenger who can look out for traffic, but I've gone in several times alone--just keep your head on a swivel! READ THE CURRENT NOTAM--it changes from year to year. It hasn't been published yet for 2013, but it will be soon. Download it and print it out, and be sure to have it with you, even if you've memorized it--there's a lot there. There are always those who don't read the NOTAM, don't know what they're doing, don't follow the rules, haven't practiced and cause a bit of glitches, but they're in the minority. Mostly it runs really, really well, due to the expertise of the controllers, who do a truly marvelous job.

Always go in with plenty of fuel--you don't know if you're going to have to hold over Green Lake or not. I've gone in several times with no holding, and once had to hold for nearly an hour. My last hold was for no more than 10 minutes--about one circuit around the lake was all. I have heard of people running low, but there's no excuse for that.

Cary