Part Four: Airport Alternatives

by ANN Correspondent Larry Stencel

• Read Part One Here

• Read Part Two Here

• Read Part Three Here

As you plan for your flight to Oshkosh, if you've decided to use one of the smaller surrounding Wisconsin airports as your interim destination or full-time base of operations, you are in for a real treat. There are several to choose from and each has its own 'flavor.'

Because these airports are much easier to get in and out of -- you know, no sweaty palms -- and have numerous other advantages, growing numbers of Oshkosh bound flyers are using them. The folks running them have discovered that catering to AirVenture bound pilots is good for their airport and local economy so they work hard at making it “fun” for the arriving transient pilots, as well. Some are also offering cheaper fuel to Oshkosh bound pilots. These airports are “grass roots,” personified.

In some cases, groups of airplanes meet up at these local airfields and then depart together for Oshkosh. In others, Oshkosh-bound flyers are heading directly to them for use as their full-time base of operations. In advance of AirVenture, some airports are providing cookouts and get-togethers or serving as outlying air show practice fields. Having covered the larger Oshkosh alternative airports, it‘s time to talk about a few of these close in smaller alternate fields. Let's start with this writer's home airport; it's indicative of the many others a flyer could choose from.

Any pilot would have to love an airport in a small Wisconsin town of just over 2,000 residents which has a major gas station with an Ercoupe perched on the roof. Likewise, they'd have to love a rescued airport dog named Spinner, who might be found in a bicycle 'caboose' being pulled by the airport manager down main street. The Wautoma airport (Y50), is located about 35 miles due west of Oshkosh on highway 21 and south of town. Home to EAA Chapter 1331, Wautoma is a super friendly airport that works hard making the Oshkosh bound traveler feel as if they are "home." Many folks return year after year for this very reason.

Have you ever wondered where the EAA finds a quiet grassy place for their magazine feature airplane photo shoots with a cornfield in the background and without hoards of people milling about? Well, wonder no more. During AirVenture, the EAA often uses the Wautoma airport's cornfield land, next to grass runway 08-26, as an idyllic setting for these photos. Wautoma's runway and taxiway were just repaved, a new 24/7 credit card operated fuel system was installed and -- two years ago -- the taxiways around the hangars were re-done and an AWOS was installed.

On Friday, August 1, the Y50 EAA Chapter is having a pig roast and is serving breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at their hangar. In years past, some of the StarDuster crowd and Pulsar crowd used Wautoma as their base. Last year, one of the airplanes vying for the 'Best of the Best' judging was trailered in and re-assembled here. If you choose to use Y50 as your alternate, expect to park on the grass. Camping is allowed; showers are available. Wautoma is located just NW of Ripon so it's a good airport to wait out the air show periods at Oshkosh IF you happen to arrive when Oshkosh is closed.

Moving all the way east of Fond Du Lac, the Sheboygan County airport (SBM), is located about 55 miles away from OSH. Although that's a bit far for daily travel, Sheboygan is located on Lake Michigan and is a great place to combine with vacation time, especially if you have family with you who may want to do something else. Home of EAA Chapter 766 (they built the Voyager cockpit mockup in the EAA Museum), take a look at their home in the Sheboygan County Aviation Heritage Center; this amazing building is what an active EAA Chapter can accomplish. This year, between 15-20 T-28s are expected to assemble there and hold daily formation flying practice July 23 through 28. Camping is allowed next to your airplane on grassy areas and a great airport restaurant is located on the field. Transportation to OSH can be arranged through one of the two FBO's located on the field. Greek and Hmong Festivals will be held nearby on July 26 and 27.

The Brennand airport (79C), is located in Neenah about 10 miles north of OSH and is the closest local public airport to Oshkosh. Brennand was "rescued" from closure when its original owner, Bill Brennand, sold it to Ted Vander Wielen about 10 years ago; a story that AOPA Prez Phil Boyer would love. Brennand is celebrating 'Old Time Airport Days' on July 26 from 10AM and on. Brennand is notable in that they're offering constantly rotating transportation to AirVenture all week for $10. It would be possible to fly into Brennand early, spend the day at Oshkosh and get back and out fairly quickly. Ted advises that camping is allowed on his airport. Watch out for all the OSH traffic because of it's close proximity.

Wausau Downtown Airport (AUW), is hosting the National Ercoupe Convention from July 23 through 26 with a mass gaggle flight to Oshkosh arriving around noon on Sunday, July 27. They're expecting about 40 Ercoupes to participate in this get together with 30 flying out to Oshkosh on Sunday. 2008 is the 'Year of the Ercoupe' in the Vintage display area at Oshkosh.

The New Holstein Airport (8D1), on the east side of Lake Winnebago about 40 road miles from Oshkosh, is once again hosting the Super Cub Fly-In during the week of AirVenture. They are expecting about 60 airplanes this year; registration is required for the event but it is not limited to Cubs only. See: http://www.supercub.org/newholstein/ .

Want to make your trip to Oshkosh painless and get some of your bi-annual out of the way as you learn more about your Piper or Cessna? Try the 2008 "Gateway to Oshkosh" (GTO) Convention at Steven's Point Airport (STE) NW of Oshkosh. This is a five day trip starting on Saturday, July 26th at STE and includes three days of complimentary bus travel to AirVenture from Stevens Point, Monday through Wednesday. A pig roast will be held on Saturday evening and a fly-out to the Central County airport in Iola, WI is planned for Sunday prior to three days at OSH. See: http://gto.aircraftownersgroup.com/

If, by now, you're getting the idea that many of the airports surrounding Oshkosh are having their own fun activities and are worth looking into as alternates for AirVenture, you'd be right. Give one a try. Bring a tent and tie downs and join the fun. You won't be sorry.

No matter how you travel to Oshkosh, your ultimate destination is AirVenture. In the last article of this series, we'll cover some survival preparations and hints and kinks for enjoying the air show.

See you at Oshkosh!

FMI: www.airventure.org