Cool Group... AND They Make Some Great Chicken

by ANN Correspondent Mark Sletten

Where do you go if you would like to meet, oh, say 400 guys and gals who build, fly, live and breathe Van's RV series aircraft? Well, you might go to AirVenture, but unless Van's was unveiling a brand-new aircraft model, you probably wouldn't see that many RV builders standing around together in one spot... unless you go to Camp Scholler that is, and attend the RV Builder's BBQ.

I heard about the 3rd Annual RV Builder's BBQ from my neighbor, Curt Welge -- an RV builder -- who learned of it from an email list. Members of the RV builder's community communicate with each other in a number of ways, but the most common method is via email lists and online web posts. While this allows members to share information, lessons and successful first-flight announcements, they may never actually meet their online friends.

Bob Collins, the event's organizer, decided while attending AirVenture in 2003 that RV builders needed an informal venue to get together and "put faces to names" - his solution? Why, Wisconsin-style hospitality, of course, and that means beer, bratwurst and chicken! The event grew from 15 attendees during the first scheduled event in 2004 to 50 last year. Collins (above) maintains an online newsletter for RV builders where he advertised the event, asking those interested to sign up. He was delighted, if a little overwhelmed, when nearly 250 people responded this year.

"My little brushfire turned into a wildfire," said Collins whose surprise turned to near horror when a much larger crowd than the expected 250 showed up - all looking for chicken and bratwurst, oh, and beer. The crowd was so much larger, Bob spent the first half of the event shuttling back and forth between Camp Scholler and the local grocery procuring more vittles and libations while the crowd kept growing! According to Collins, "I got to meet many of the folks working at Wal-Mart in Oshkosh tonight - they're very nice people, by the way."

Apparently, word of Collins' "little" sub-event has been circulating since opening day here at AirVenture. It wasn't just the size of the crowd that surprised Collins, but the celebrity of some of the attendees. Sports Aircraft Association of Australia National President Gary Spicer; Jim Younkin, founder of TruTrak Flight Systems; representatives from Chelton Flight systems; and a number of vendors supplying the experimental aircraft builder's market, including owner and proprietor of StienAir Stien Bruch (who can sometimes be found riding around the camp on a couch) were on hand to enjoy a little food, fun and fellowship.

While there I spoke with many attendees including three gentlemen that were part of a 15-ship formation flight to Oshkosh (above). The pilots flew their aircraft from all over the country to stage at an Illinois airport before flying to Oshkosh in formation. They gave the folks at Oshkosh on Saturday - mostly vendors setting up and TRUE airplane groupies - an impromptu show as they flew several passes in formation. You can tell by the photo they take their flying seriously!

"I know every builder's group says this, but this is the BEST group of guys and gals you'd ever want to meet," said Collins. He said RV builder's come from all walks of life, "I delivered newspapers as a second job for two years so I could afford a kit. Over there is a UPS pilot; there's a guy who runs his own corporation; that guy is in charge of wiring for one of Boeing's major projects - here they're all just RV builders."

Collins says most conversations start with one builder inquiring about another's progress on their project, "But then questions invariably turn to their personal life, and suddenly you're not really interested in the project, you just want to know how that person and their family are doing - and that's how I describe a friend. Man, if that's not the best of Oshkosh I don't what is!"

The appreciative group applauded long and loudly as Collins thanked the many last-minute volunteers who kept the grills going during his re-supply runs.

"I've spent the evening driving back and forth to Wal-Mart and I haven't gotten to catch up with any old friends, so if you plan to come next year please sign up -- and tell me if you know how to cook chicken!" Collins told the group.

(ANN thanks Robin Vrachan for the GREAT photo of the RV Delta formation. Beautiful!)

FMI: http://home.comcast.net/~rvnewsletter/