The first airplane to pitch a tent arrived at Oshkosh yesterday, more than a week before the start of the show, according to a Twitter message I received. Now that’s planning ahead! But don’t despair. If you haven’t already made plans to go to Oshkosh, let me emphatically say IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO DECIDE TO GO! Yes, it’s a week away, but all it takes is making a simple decision right now—that you are going to do it. Here’s my money-back guarantee: If you do decide to go, it may turn out to be the best decision you’ve made all year. Really.
one of of those rare things in life that vastly exceeds expectations. Why? The answer is simple. It is not possible to describe in words how good it is. Therefore, it IS better than any concept you may have of it in your mind. So no more excuses. Decide right now to do it.
To the naysayers, I just made my plane and car reservations a couple of days ago. Yes, it is still possible to get flights and rental cars, though perhaps not at your preferred destination. While Appleton and Green Bay are the closest commercial airports, Milwaukee and even Chicago are all within easy driving distance. I’ve also met people who flew into Minneapolis, rented an RV and drove to Oshkosh. There are lots of ways to make it work. Of course, you can also fly yourself there, in which case you’ll need to read the AirVenture NOTAM so that you know the arrival procedures.
Housing is still available. Admittedly, I did reserve my hotel room a year ago, but an acquaintance of mine just got a hotel room recently. The AirVenture website housing page shows where housing is still available and includes hotels, college dormitories and private homes for rent.
Or, you can camp. For several years, I stuffed a tent, sleeping bag, folding cot, folding chair and pillow into a large duffle bag that I checked as baggage onto commercial flights. Last year I was lucky to have a free hotel room (part of the prize package awarded to the National CFI of the Year) so this is the first year I’m paying for a hotel room. But I may camp again in the future, as there’s nothing like wandering the flight line late at night and communing with the airplanes. Or being up at first light and walking to the showers as AirVenture wakes up each morning. I like the comfy hotel bed, but I also like being embedded 24x7 at AirVenture
How Long Should You Stay?
As long long as you can. My first visit in 1996 was for just two days and it wasn’t nearly long enough. In recent years I’ve gone for five days and this year I’m staying for the entire week.
There is no way to run out of fun things to do. If you can only visit for a day or two, it is still worth the trip. You’ll probably wander though the exhibit halls and eyeball the hundreds of products on display. Most likely, you’ll watch part of the daily afternoon airshow and catch one or two of the hundreds of presentations given in the Forum pavilions.
But if you can stay longer, you’ll be able to dig deeper into the AirVenture experience. You might attend a number of forums given by authors, astronauts, CEOs and just about anyone else connected to aviation. Or visit a hands-on workshop on metal working, welding and other techniques used to build your own airplane. You’ll also have time to take a bus to the seaplane base or go to the Museum (look for my name on one of the plaques there!). Or after dark, go to the outdoor theater to watch an aviation movie introduced by a movie star or astronaut. Take a ride in a Ford Trimotor plane. Walk through an A380 airliner. Wander the flightline. In one section, more than 400 flyable warbirds are on display (one year I counted 13 P51s lined up next to each other!) The list is endlist. Suffice it to say, you won’t run out of things to do no matter how long you stay.
2009 AirVenture Activity Schedule--Max's Top Picks
Here's a calendar of items that interest me. I’ve also listed my seminars and book signings—please come to one and say hello!
Free free to post a comment if this article helped you decide to attend. Or for anyone attending, list some of the events you plan to attend at OSH.
Monday, July 27th - Opening Day.
8:30 AM Update on Terrafugia Roadable Vehicle (Flying car)
3 PM Arrival of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo space vehicle launch aircraft
5:30 PM Virgin Galactic Presentation on AeroShell concert stage
6 PM The Doobie Brothers Opening Concert at AeroShell. I’ve never been to Oshkosh on a Monday, so I’ve always missed the concert, but not this year. I worked at 5 radio stations as a DJ in the 1970’s and played way too many Dobbie Brothers records to miss this one!
7:30 PM free Book Exchange organized by blogger Dan Pimentel
Tuesday, July 28th
11:45 AM Aviation Summit. EAA, AOPA, NBAA heads discuss issues facing GA
2:40 PM Arrrival of the A380 Airbus airliner
4 PM Max Trescott author book signing at PilotMall.com tent. And I have a new book out—which I’ll talk about later this week. Of course I’m also happy to sign my Max Trescott’s G1000 Glass Cockpit Handbook with WAAS. We’ll have lots of third edition copies on hand, so even if you have an older version, come get the latest version. Or just come by to say hello.
Max,
Handy guide, thanks for putting this together. I'm looking forward to wrangling a TriMotor ride!
-tyson weihs
ForeFlight, LLC
Posted by: Tyson Weihs | July 21, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Tyson,
The Ford TriMotor is an amazing piece of history and great fun to fly. I was lucky enough to fly from the right seat for awhile last year. I talked about it in this prior post: http://www.maxtrescott.com/max_trescott_on_general_a/2008/08/oshkosh-update--flying-a-1929-ford-trimotor.html
Max
Posted by: Max Trescott | July 21, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Just wondering are the showers private stalls or a communal type layout?
Going this year cant wait!
Posted by: Ian | July 09, 2010 at 02:07 PM
The showers I've used on the air field (airplane camping area) are private with a common dressing area. Not sure what they have in the RV/Tent camping area.
Posted by: Max Trescott | July 15, 2010 at 09:11 AM