Part Five: You're Here! Now What?

by ANN Correspondent Larry Stencel

• Read Part One Here

• Read Part Two Here

• Read Part Three Here

• Read Part Four Here

Anyone who has previously attended AirVenture knows the feeling.

Whether you're driving or flying in, as you draw near, you can feel your pulse quickening. Fliers begin to notice more airplanes around them. Maybe your nearby destination airport or Ripon comes into sight. Drivers might hear the drone of a war bird passing overhead. Some carry handheld radios and begin to hear the OSH radio chatter; flyers surely do.

For those driving in from the south on highway 41, you look left (west) and notice Fond du Lac airport filled with a lot of parked airplanes and tents with more airplanes landing. Maybe you've seen a sign in another car's window saying, "Oshkosh Bound?" WOW! Only a few more miles to go. "I wanna BE there," you think. C'mon car... go faster! You HAVE the 'fever' when you have that feeling. And it's highly contagious.

Hang on, Steve Canyon... there's that nasty little thing called logistics to deal with. Darn! Reality sets in as traffic slows near Oshkosh. "Hmmm... hope I didn't forget anything," you think?

In this last article of the series, and with mere days to go before AirVenture 2008 begins, we'll deal with two subjects: Making sure you've properly equipped yourselves with the necessary "stuff" to enjoy your visit and more general discussion about the air show. First, a checklist of things you should consider having ready to go as you arrive.

On the first day that you attend the show, you'll have to buy your wristband(s). Rather than standing in line at the ticket kiosk, as you did in years past, consider buying them online beforehand. The EAA is now selling them via the AirVenture website. It would behoove an attendee to purchase their tickets this way IF their itinerary is known. Of course, if you're staying all week, it's easy. Sure beats waiting in that darn ticket line when your feet are trying to go through the gate. And don't forget your EAA card.

It cannot be overstressed that you should have a very comfortable pair of walking shoes (if you have room, a second pair is a good idea), a hat to keep the sun off your noggin and a small water bottle to keep yourself hydrated; drinking gallons of soda just won't do it. The EAA has numerous places where you can refill them.

Beyond the above, this attendee likes to carry a cloth shopping style bag over the shoulder with the following items all ready to go -- (keeps both of my hands free):

• Two disposable rain ponchos
• Camera and extra batteries
• Cellphone
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Sun screen
• Lightweight handheld airband radio with earpiece and a frequency list
• Extra pair of socks
• Small sized baby powder
• Washcloth
• Sealed handy wipes and small packet of tissues
• Ear plugs (for the Harrier flybys, etc)
• Lightweight water repellent jacket (it can get cool at night)
• List of Vendor locations with those I want to visit highlighted
• List of daily forums with those I want to attend highlighted
• List of phone numbers for folks I may need to contact or see
• List of other miscellaneous items of interest I want to see
• Pen, paper, yellow stickies and my business card pouch
• Very lightweight LED flashlight (at night, it gets mighty dark out there)

Your needs will vary and common sense always applies. Make your own list before you leave home and have your "stuff" pre-packed in a bag that suits you when you arrive. This way, in no time at all, you'll be doing what you came here for... slobbering on yourself while looking at airplanes. C'mon... you KNOW that's true.

On days when the daily air show is a prominent item on your agenda, carry a lightweight stool or small chair. Otherwise, leave it behind. Don't carry a 10-pound folding Papasan chair with four beverage holders and a footstool; after a while, that chair will seem like a cement block, and you'll be tempted to throw it away before the day ends.

Before you arrive, check the AirVenture website closely; make a daily itinerary list of events and places you need to be throughout each day that you'll be there. Make your own list of other items of interest. Print a map or grab one at the gate... it'll help you get oriented; the site does change.

If seeing the warbirds up close and personal is important to you, head there early. Once the warbirds start cranking for the air show, that part of the flight line is closed for safety.

Even though most folks carry cell phones, it might not be a bad idea to set up a common meeting place and time for the folks in your party throughout the day. This way, if a cell phone goes inop or is lost, you'll still have a way to reassemble your party. Don't wait until the daily air show ends and you have to catch a bus to find out you've lost someone. This might be especially important with children old enough to walk away on their own. You should make sure each child has been instructed as to what to do if they get lost and has personal ID info on their person. Consider having a third common party point of contact. You know, always have a backup plan. This writer uses the old center show gateway with the flags (near the old control tower) as the 'meeting point.' One of the smaller eating locations is another good choice.

Pilots flying into Oshkosh or any of the other airports should check their ELTs off when shutting down and remember to tie down your airplanes. Don't forget to turn off that master switch. And, it's a BIG no-no to leave an airplane unsecured. If you have the room, it wouldn't hurt to carry a tarp you could throw over a wing if it started raining when you're camping. Don't forget to order fuel if you need it.

If you've never been to Oshkosh before, do yourself a favor. Don't miss seeing the EAA seaplane base on Lake Winnebago or the EAA Museum and the adjacent Pioneer Airport.

As previously stated, the Vette seaplane base is an idyllic location on Lake Winnebago, not far from Wittman Field. You can find transportation to it near the ultra light area. After days on Wittman Field, you'll find that the seaplane base is a welcome and quiet location to just sit and enjoy the scenery while being shaded by all the trees on the peninsula. The museum is busier but still worth the effort. Don't miss the Space Ship One exhibit.

As you walk around the site, note how clean it is. "Oshkosh Rules" means that you are expected to deposit trash in the receptacles and IF you see trash, pick it up even if it isn't yours. The clean grounds is a trademark of the EAA... help 'em out. And no smoking around airplanes, please.\

If you're helped by a volunteer, say "Thank You." That's all the 'pay' they want. While we're at it, if you can spare some hours, consider volunteering yourself.

Know that there is a medical facility staffed by volunteers on site. If you need it, let them help you with your minor problems.

If you patronize local business establishments as you drive in, let them know you're going to Oshkosh. This helps non-pilots understand the economic impact that airports and the show brings to them. This is good for all of us.

As the show ends each day, a large crowd heads for the parking lots. On Monday, July 28, the band Foreigner will be performing; last year, it was the Beach Boys. As the crowds thin, this is a good time to take pictures of airplanes or go down to the ultralight area and watch every manner of machine take to the air vs. a mad dash to the car. If you occupy yourself for a bit, it'll be easier to get away. Of course, if you're camping next to your airplane or in Camp Scholler, you're in luck... 'home' is but a few footsteps away.

Well... time to start packing. The long range weather analysis shows the first days should be nice. I've GOT the fever... I can feel my pulse quickening.

See you at Oshkosh. Enjoy yourselves.

FMI: www.airventure.org, www.eaa.org