Adventures In Retailing
By Rob Finfrock
"Oh sure, there's SpaceShipOne, flybys by everything from F-16s
to Ford Tri-Motors, and thousands of other aircraft to see and
photograph - but what I really need is a durable, versatile
waterless cookware set. "
If you ever find yourself thinking the above, rest assured that
the EAA Fly Market has exactly what you need. From three separate
vendors, no less.
As a source of items born of both genuine necessity, as well as
perhaps somewhat tongue-in-cheek marketing - with a plethora of
choices in between -- the Fly Market has become as much of an
Oshkosh tradition as camping with your airplane on the North
40.
Strolling down the aisles of this open-air free-for-all on
opening day, the variety of items available for purchase both
thrilled and, frankly, disturbed me a little bit.
Many of the items available, you would expect to find at an air
show such as Oshkosh. Best Buy has a large display on the southwest
corner, for example. That is to be expected, as many pilots and
planeheads grow notoriously weak kneed in the presence of
electronic gadgets.
GE Honda Aero Engines has a booth across from them, showcasing
its new line of jet powerplants. Air Parts Inc. has a large tent
here, too, and they are one of many vendors selling aircraft parts
and related items -including one aircraft parts and salvage
operation that advertises there is "more junk in the trailer."
Several vendors specialize in aircraft-related artwork. Art
Imports, for example, features polished wood models of several
different kinds of aircraft ranging from a high-wing Cessna to a
DC-3 to an F117 Nighthawk. These models, imported from Vietnam, are
quite stunning to behold.
The same is true for Warbird Windows, displaying beautiful
stained-glass panes with many types of aircraft rendered in pastel
colors. Wings Fine Arts has many breathtaking aircraft paintings to
choose from.
There are also several booths featuring vintage aircraft
memorabilia, including authentic period ads and signs. (One of
these shops has an old wooden fan box, that you can stand in front
of to beat the heat for only "$3 per minute after first 60
seconds," according to a nearby sign.)
Several T-Shirt shops are onsite, too, and chances are that if
you can't find a shirt with your favorite airplane on it, you can
have it made promptly. If you are tired and aching from traipsing
down the flight lines, you can stop in at the Medi Rub 2000 Plus
booth to get your feet and lower back revitalized.
So far, so good -- but from here, things start to get a bit
surreal.
Besides the aforementioned cookware (who knew that pilots
enjoyed cooking so much?) there is also a booth where you can
purchase stick-on "bullet holes." These are just the thing to add
that air of Warbird authenticity to your L-19, or for that matter
your Cirrus.
There are several varieties of "miracle glue" available, and
multiple towel-like materials for sale ranging from the Wonder
Cloth to the Super Shammy. One vendor advertises the "Ultimate
Ladder--- 17 ladders in one!" alongside a promotional video that
states it is merely 8 ladders in one. However many ladders it may
be, the Ultimate Ladder can be yours for $90.
And ask yourself this, Aero-News readers: what Oshkosh
experience would be complete without taking home a pair of
Skyscraper Heels? Several different styles of these brightly
decorated shoes are available. All of them look pretty much like
you'd expect them to look.
Whether you're in the market for parts for your Cessna, a towel
to dry it off with, or a set of styling shoes that will get you
into the swankiest FBOs out there, odds are you will be able to
find it at the EAA Fly Market, located just northwest of AeroShell
Square.