Bringing my seaplane to Oshkosh (new thread)

[Norman Langlois]

I joined the EAA and later an Ultralight club. I never joined an EAA chapter for those negative reason on the or at the edge of the subject mater here. I felt very unwelcome . The great transition to stamping out the Ultra light movement was well near complete.
Now that I have succeeded in my endeavor , I would still not be accepted in an EAA chapter with any worth or opinion. I do not see any real future for a truly experimental organization . What is really more experimental than a new UL design?
What fires up the minds of a younger crowed more than a real open to all venue?
The EAA and there high and mighty attitude, largely fed by regulation and wealth.
Ultra lights require only to fly within a small set of regulation and are then immune to extensive training or actually any training.This is so distasteful to them.
Also require no financial elevation. No wonder I felt uncomfortable and unwanted. I had none of this, yet designed and I built and fly. I call that real experimental freedom. And and still many want to stamp out UL . EAA chapters continue to whine about diminishing membership .Its only a matter of time and you to will be gone. And there will be a small group of well to do jet pilots left. Certainly smaller.

[Bill Berson]

Norm,
If you could trailer your ultralight seaplane to Oshkosh 2018 it should be welcomed.
I say "should" because my experience bringing an experimental engine was not entirely welcomed. I persisted and got it through the barricades and so was successful.
If we are to save affordable basic aviation we must be persistent. Let me know if you have questions.

[Norman Langlois]

Bill I found much enthusiasm when I brought the plane to the local fly in. Its not that I try to make the point that the venue has changed. The story behind the story I have been met with adversity. There were always some approval. I was attacked by some mostly over the flying. What was the approved of the past was not of the day. I expect I might prevail for the plane but not my views of the abandonment of a much needed avenue to entry level flight for the general public, not just the well to do. Today's living expenses put flying far away in the closet of life. The LSA alternative has not solved that. Instead it has added to the news. With daily crash reports coupled with general aviation I am appalled how many . Ultralights never made much negative news. They may have seemed to be a pain in the A for some and have never been really accepted by the Chapters.

[Norman Langlois]

Bill I have always wanted to bring the plane to Osh. I had to finish , developing takes a long time when you are alone in the project. I finally have everything right as you know. To bring it to Osh with all the hack and chop visible. What do you think would it be scorned or still revered as a success?
Because I am frustrated and aging whats the point now?

[Bill Berson]

Norm, of course you should bring it to Oshkosh if you can. And camp next to it. Even do a forum about how you designed, built and flew it and learned to fly in it... incredible. I can help with a forum if you want.
Dont worry about the hack on a prototype, it is expected. Paul McCready was awarded "Engineer of the Century" for all of his crude man powered creations. Paul made it crude on purpose. The crudeness embarrassed the Brits.... but McCready won the British Kremer prize because it was crude and worked. The prototype Rutan Quickie was also crude.
I doubt your work is crude.

[martymayes]

Norman Langlois, I second Bill Berson's suggestion. I'd attend a forum and certainly take a look at your machine.

[jedi]

Norm,
If you could trailer your ultralight seaplane to Oshkosh 2018 it should be welcomed.
I say "should" because my experience bringing an experimental engine was not entirely welcomed. I persisted and got it through the barricades and so was successful.
If we are to save affordable basic aviation we must be persistent. Let me know if you have questions.

Norm,

Do not expect too much at AirVenure so as to not be disappointed. There is a lot of heavy competition and just like this site a fair number of individuals that will point out all the negative issues. That said, I would like to see it flying at the seaplane site although the traffic (lookie lews) there is less than 10% of the main show traffic. I would recommend to display on the trailer at the Light Sport area for a few days to generate interest (and give you a chance to see the show) and then launch at the seaplane base for some flying. Thursday is generally designated seaplane day and thus more activity at the base. You can launch from the seaplane base and join the LSA fly-by pattern but that is a little complicated and may not be that productive depending on how it is handled. I'de like to help if I can.

I have seen fantastic individuals with remarkable but unconventional equipment be driven away by skeptics and nosayers who know it all; sad but true.

[Bill Berson]

There is no way to trailer to the seaplane base and launch, as far as I know. The road stops several hundred feet short of the lake. I was told no launch is possible.

[martymayes]

Have to go to a boat launch

[Bill Berson]

The lake can be rough. A Lake Amphibian pilot crashed the day I was there.
Might be best to find a smaller lake, if airspace entry is available. There is no dock parking at EAA Seaplane base. It would be tied in the middle of the lagoon if displayed.

[Norman Langlois]

Just seeing these posts. I am still in Fl. My home is and the plane are in NH. going back up in April. the plan is still to bring the plane to Osh this year tentatively. The current status is undergoing new flotation.There is also another factor not having anything to do with the plane . There is transport vehicle under construction to house the plane and myself and another sponsor in my endeavors. Since I opted for his help if its not finished in time that to will put the whole thing off.
For launch options can the seaplane port accommodate a beach launch. The cart I use to hanger the plane can be used to launch from any gentle slope grass, sand, gravel .
The plane will require disassembly to travel this time my usual trailer for transport and launch will not be available at Osh.
We will assemble and display at the UL area on the cart. If flight will not be available video will.

I also need to know how to go about entering the airshow with the plane Applications ETC.
I did drop my membership so I am not current.

[Floatsflyer]

Norman, at the seaplane base there is a beach-like( not really a beach) mooring area in the lagoon across from the docks and the fuel pumps. You can moor your little seaplane here and tie it to some trees to show what it looks like in the water. You can bring a trailer into the base to disembark the plane and assemble it on the grassy area by the big tent. Obviously, you'll have to talk to the base people in charge to get permission for all this.

Please keep us advised of your plans. I would like to see you and the plane at the UL area and/or seaplane base.

[Bill Berson]

Access the Ultralight runway from the south. (Knapp road, I think) Check the Air Venture website map for gate location.
Should not need any prior application to display near the Red Barn, I think. Need to buy a wrist band, at the Ultralight gate (Red Barn) on arrival.
After unloading, move your car or Motorhome across the street to a private parking lot. (Small fee)

[Norman Langlois]

Bill is there any option to keep a motor home at the display site in the Ultralight area ? In other words camp next to the plane?

[CHICAGORANDY]

AFAIK there is thankfully no camping next to an aircraft other than tents at AirVenture. You would have to book an RV spot in their designated areas.

[Bill Berson]

No.Tents only at Ultralight display area camping.
Motorhome camping is across the street, reasonable rates. If you camp in a tent near your Ultralight, you would be charged about $29 tent camping per day, I think.
Just parking the Ultralight only should be free, must be tied down.