Rate Oshkosh Forums?

[rawheels]

Is there a method for providing feedback for the AirVenture Forums? I attended 6 this year, 4 were great, 1 was OK (first timer, it will get better), and 1 was pretty bad. How can I get that feedback to the event organizers so that they can make sure to keep the good ones and think again about the other?

[N546RV]

On a related note, we went to one forum where the presenter simply failed to show up. An EAA rep there apologized and marked it down as a no-show, but I was wondering what happens with someone like that? I'd like to think that they don't get invited back to do another forum, unless there was a very pressing reason for the absence...

[CarlOrton]

I attend several forums every year. For the most part, it seems most of them are repeats from the prior years, updated where needed. Many are from vendors. Some get stale, but I still sit in some just to see if any nugget of information is provided.

If you took out the repeats from prior years, I think all forums would fit into one day! (just kidding, but you get the idea...)

I've generally had good results with the presenters; can't recall any not showing up.

I just wish that I could de-conflict the ones that all appear in the same time slot! No DVR capability!

The nice thing is that Oshkosh does provide the chance for just about anyone to make a presentation; there's enough venues that if you have a half-decent-sounding proposal, good chances that you can garner a time slot.

[Hal Bryan]

You can send comments about forums (or just about anything else) to feedback@eaa.org.That's the best and fastest way to get your thoughts routed to the right people.

[RickFE]

I guess a lot of it depends on what type of Seminars you like. A few that I really enjoyed.

Almost any subject Mike Busch does. I feel semi addicted to his Seminars. For instance "To TBO & Beyond"

Joe Loggie From Champion. Love his seminar! I go every year just to see what is new. High energy and very forthcoming on the subject of magnetos.

Other ones I would recommend are from Budd Davisson. This year I saw "Mastering the Tailwheel" Last year "Chasing the Bead" (??) Welding.

Lycoming and Continental both had a great presentation although not listed as seminars. Worth a stop by their Tents for a weekly schedule

If you are interested in the Sonex, the Sonex people had a nice set of Seminars and there was also a factory tour you could go on.

These were just some of my favorites.

I also liked some of the shops such as the fabric workshop and the gas welding shop.

I never seem to be able to deconflict my schedule to go to everything I think I want to see.

I have seen a few that were just ok. But not many.

[I_FLY_LOW]

Does Rod Machado still do siminars, there?
I got to go to a couple of his forums several years ago, and throroughly enjoyed them.

[Diana]

On a related note, we went to one forum where the presenter simply failed to show up. An EAA rep there apologized and marked it down as a no-show, but I was wondering what happens with someone like that? I'd like to think that they don't get invited back to do another forum, unless there was a very pressing reason for the absence...

I was disappointed that Brent Blue didn't show up for his presentation about SI's. Many of us waited over 30 minutes and finally gave up and wandered off.

[Bill Greenwood]

What is an "SI"? I used to subscribe to Sports Illustrated, but just get the swimsuit issue now.

[FlyingRon]

That's odd. Dr. Blue was at Airventure. I ran into at the Hilton on Friday night. I do believe he did mention something about problems with his aircraft though, so he may have been a late arrival.

SI=Special Issuance. An authorization to fly even when you don't meet the strict medical requirements.

[donwmack]

Rod did two this year. As I recall Friday in the FAA building and Saturday in forum "tent" 8.

If you want a good laugh while you're learning something, put him on your list of forums to see.


Does Rod Machado still do siminars, there?
I got to go to a couple of his forums several years ago, and throroughly enjoyed them.

[BeagleOne]

I went to the Gene Cernan "forum" at the EAA welcome tent, and he no-showed. No reason was given. I was worried that perhaps he had had some adverse health event but then saw his pic on the front page of the local newspaper the next day, at an evening event. Anyone know why he missed the forum appearance?

I enjoyed Dick Campbell's talk on the Lady Be Good at the museum, but I missed his talk on Glacier Girl later in the week. Fortunately I live in the area so am hoping to see his museum presentations later this year.

My forum feedback for Warbirds in Review would be Water! Shade! Lucky it was so cool this year, in other years it's been just brutal sitting in and around the bleachers, even with a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Next year I may just sit UNDER the bleachers.

[alschmid]

My forum feedback for Warbirds in Review would be Water! Shade! Lucky it was so cool this year, in other years it's been just brutal sitting in and around the bleachers, even with a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Next year I may just sit UNDER the bleachers.

Agreed! The reflectiveness of the bleachers makes the heat even worse. We sat down on the grass, but it's still very warm if you're sitting and listening for 30-45min.
Best,
al

[FlyingRon]

Don't know, but I was at the Friday night dinner where Cernan was most certainly in attendance (same dinner I saw Brent Blue).

I have to admit I don't much make it up from Vintage much from the show anymore. I've been meaning to. The only forum I regularly make is the Navion one.

[rawheels]

Thanks Hal, I sent off my info to the email you provided. I have appreciated hearing about the other forums, so here are my observations from this year:

"Piston Engine Cooling" Sonja Englert (8/1) - I missed the first 30 minutes of the presentation, but the remainder of the presentation was very well done. Ms. Englert seemed very knowledgeable about the subject and gave a lot of really great real-world examples to explain her points. The subject matter could have gotten really technical and over the heads of some in attendance, but Ms. Englert did a great job of explaining herself and "bringing the cookies to the lower shelf" without making the information too simple to be effective. Good Job!

"Airparks Selection Process" Ronald Heidebrink (8/1) - I would give this forum 1 star because the guy did show up and give a presentation. Unfortunately, it wasn't about "Airparks Selection Process", it was why South Carolina is the best state and why we should buy property in his airpark near Myrtle Beach. It was bad enough that my father and I walked out after 30 minutes (wanted to walk out after 5). Really, if EAA want this guy to come back please rename this forum to indicate it is an advertisement for Hardee Airpark. (Yes, I was only there for 30 mins and still remember the name. That is how much of an infomercial it was)

"Fabric Covering 101" Poly-Fiber (8/1) - You can tell these guys do this every year. The presentation is extremely well planned and executed. My only bad thing to say is that the presenter of the classroom seemed a bit bored, but I would probably be the same way if I had to say the same thing twice a day for a week.

"Hatz Biplane" Kevin Conner (8/2) - This was the presenter's first time. He did a good job, and I think he will do better in the future. He is knowledgeable on his particular model of aircraft, but sometimes wasn't sure about the other models of Hatz. He did bring other individuals with him to the forum that were able to answer most questions. Good first try and hope to see him again next year. Should start to get some good attendance with two Hatz Lindy award winners this year!

"Living the Air Park Life" George Gratton (8/3) - This is the forum that really should have been the one named "Airparks Selection Process". George did a good job of explaining what to look for in an airpark and how to start your search. I really liked that he had experience living in multiple airparks and had good and bad experiences to share. Also liked that he was a former realtor, which gave additional experience, but he didn't try to sell anything.

"Getting Started in UL"Timm Bogenhagen (8/3) - Mr. Bogenhagen did a great job presenting what an ultralight is and describing the history and intent (from the FAA's perspective) of Part 103 flight. I also appreciated the fact that he wasn't shy about answering questions about how bad the training limitations are killing the industry right now. I hope that he can get some support from EAA to help UL flying, and also hope to see him again next year.