Oshkosh, and ?

[wanabigaplane]

I am considering Oshkosh with Avtours this year. With the the cost and the time it takes, I think I should see a just a bit more than Oshkosh.

 

If I were to spend, say, another week and do a bit of travel, is there anything within reasonable distance worth attending?

 

Suggestions have been Smithsonian Institute, Boeing factory, or Wright Patterson.

 

Any advice from those who been before?

 

Jack. :):)

 

 

[ianrat]

Myself and my two brothers are going to Oshkosh and we are spending 7 days in LA. (Disneyland, Mexico, Sea-world, Huntington Beach (Boob Watch)

 

We should all get together to spread the word about the forum while we are there.

 

See you there

 

Ianrat

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

I also are considering Airventure this year. maybe going to Canada first then the Airshow. i 'd like to go see a shuttle launch if the timing is right. then catch up with some lazair pilots and do some flying with them.

 

Ian, is it possible to get some Rec Flyers 'tie pins' or cloth badges/ t shirts made for the shop. when i travel i like to give these as gifts to people i meet .

 

ozzie

 

 

[Admin]

Sure can - in fact I am hoping to get to Oshkosh this year.

 

I think I can remember someone saying about organising a Recreational Flying Group

 

 

[Smokey]

Hi Jack

 

In 2006 on the way to Oshkosh, I spent 5 days in DC, did the NASM and Udvar Hazy, I'd put them in the must see. ;)

 

There are some piccies in the album at the field and heaps more on the computer if you want to get an idea of what's there.

 

If you want to really travel you could pop down to Florida and have a look at the space centre, I was going down to Orlando for another 'event' and checked out Kennedy and had a ride on the vomit comet just to round things out.

 

I was also going to check out the naval aviation museum and a few others that are down that way but by that time I'd been in the US 6 weeks and was really over it and came home. :yuk:

 

Mark

 

 

[Jabiru Phil]

Oshkosh

 

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1412255721/bctid1381694270

 

If you are interested in a 17 minute video of Oshkosh this is the link.

 

Cheers.

 

Phil.

 

 

[Guest brentc]

NASA in Florida is 'ok' to visit, but probably more interesting to go to the Smithsonian Institute. The trouble with NASA is that almost everything is fake because everything 'real' they have sent off into space, so realistically you'll perhaps only see the one 'real' Explorer type shuttle. There is a big Apollo ship from years ago that never launched which is interesting however.

 

If you are in that end of the US and have family, take them to the Orlando theme parks, or if it's yourself and a mate, try the Everglades for air-boating or a trip down to Key Largo and Key West, particularly if you're into boating and or diving. There are plenty of flights out of Miami which is considered the Latin capital of the US.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Has anyone done the escorted tour of Airventure that is advertised in the mags?

 

maybe a report on the trip would be helpful.

 

thanks

 

ozzie

 

 

[Ultralights]

many years ago i had the pleasure of visiting Florida, The florida keys area nice place. Fortunately, or unfortunately, i was at the Kennedy space centre just 2 days after launch, so the place was a hive of activity, though i would have loved to see a shuttle launch. if all goes to plan i will try to get to oshkosh some time in the very near future.

 

 

[Guest RogerRammedJet]

The Rog did Oshkosh in 99. An awesome event that every pilot should attend at least once. Thought a prang was inevitable the whole time I was there! They obliged with the spectacular collision between a Cosair and Bearcat during a formation TO.

 

A total on-the-edge, in-your-face experience! Many of the display pilots have since departed this life!

 

Followed Oshkosh with Airforce Museum at Dayton Ohio; Naval air museum at Pensecola, Florida; Kennedy Space Centre, Florida - they launched the Space Shuttle Endeavour for me - absolutely incredible! .... and the Smithsonian - must see.

 

Rog

 

Here's a little taste of Oshkosh!

 

http://www.fototime.com/D3127FF31FDB457/conv.wmv

 

 

[Guest Rocko]

What about VEGAS???

 

Whats all this talk of the Smithsonian?? NASA????

 

What about VEGAS??? ;>

 

Seriously tho, it's an incredible place to visit. We spent 10 days there, a total of $20 on pokies, and had the most incredible time.

 

It's more a huge theme park than a gambling place now. If you'

 

ve never been, you can't imagine how amazing it is. So over the top.

 

Saw a space shuttle launch from Florida....We were on the main road into the complex, with 100 million other tourists...and it was still spectacular, even from such a distance.

 

Hmm, I think they were using a Rotax engine....

 

Scotty

 

 

[Smokey]

....We were on the main road into the complex, with 100 million other tourists...Scotty

Must have been interesting, patting the gators while watching the launch :smiley4:

 

Mark

 

 

[Guest Rocko]

Grinz. Actually, we didn't even know what was happening at first. Everyone just stopped on the road, gawking up. Stinking swamp on either side. Hot as heck. But awesome....for the 30 seconds we saw it ;)

 

 

[wanabigaplane]

Wanaseeoshkosh

 

Thanks for your advice.

 

Things have firmed up, the deposit has been paid.

 

I am going with a mate, so the itinerary is not purely up to me.

 

Looks like we'll attend Oshkosh as arranged by Avtours, then hire a car and with some flexibility, drive to Wright Patterson and a Smithsonian at Washington.

 

I suppose seeing a shuttle launch would be one lifetime experience, but I would not go there in the faint hope of striking it lucky!

 

One for Zenith enthusiasts - I am building a Zenith 601XL. Will I see all I need to see at the factory presentation at Oshkosh, or is it worth going to the Zenith factory?

 

Jack. :):)

 

 

[Guest brentc]

For those that want to catch a shuttle launch (even though it's a damn long drive), they ususally post the dates on their website. You might be lucky enough to be there near one or possibly months off. Be warned though that almost every one gets delayed and often many times.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Airventure is getting closer.

 

By the time i knew if i could get the time off the Avtours tour had closed. So i am heading off on my own little adventure.

 

If you are still deciding if to go i suggest that you book a flight today. as i could not get a direct flight from syd to the west coast. I forgot that it is peak season,$$ ouch.

 

Ozizie

 

 

[jetboy]

Places to stay might be hard to find the EAA runs a website to find latecomers accomodation or you can buy a tent when you arrive. I was lucky one year the NZ tour I was on went to Florida and the day we toured the cape there was a shuttle on the pad that had been delayed a few days so we bribed the bus driver to go there the next day. Universal studios at Orlando was good saves going to the ones at LA (which burnt down last week anyway?)

 

From Oshkosh a couple of hours on the Greyhound gets you to Milwauke and the Harley factory tour if youre that way inclined - pick up an engine for the aircraft if you must

 

If I was going again being a country boy would tend to stay around Wisconsin and maybe go up into Canada, closest i'd go to LA is Arizona there are airfields at Flagstaff, Prescott and a nice one at Sedona where the local flyers congregate for breakfast / lunch / whatever (i suspect they do this all over the states if you can find the small airports)

 

Keep us posted and enjoy the trip

 

Ralph

 

 

[Mick]

Planning on going to Oshkosh too. Just doing our own thing, no organised tour.

 

We are planning on going to "Thunder over Michigan the weekrnd after Airventure. I am mad about warbirds so the chance to see 5 P-47 Thunderbolts airborne together is just not an option to miss. There will also be 4 B-17's, 2 B24's and 3 B-25's.

 

See - http://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/index.htm

 

Cheers

 

Mick

 

 

[Guest sceadu52jr]

I went to Oshkosh way back in '79 on a tour lead by Bill Hitchcock (Newcastle Aero Club). I have not been to an air show that can match it! So much to see and do! The ultralights were mainly foot launched then, some had an U/C but they still had to be capable of being foot launched! Got to meet many nice people including John Denver who had a couple of planes there. Took 36 rolls of 36 exp slide film just at Oshkosh!

 

On the tour we went to New York and visited Old Rinebeck airfield north of New York. This place is a must see if your in the area. Shows are on weekends.

 

Regards,

 

Wayne

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Hi, unfortunatly time is a factor.i would love to travel around for a week or so after the show. i will be hooking up with some American and Canadian Lazair owners who are coming. Pity really as i have had an offer of free accomodation not far from the Smithsonion Institute. I will probably rent a car then stop off at walmart and pick up some cheap camping gear. My two brothers in law are mad Harley boys and have given me a list. So will be stopping off at the museum. I am looking forward to the flight in the B17g.

 

i remember the American footlaunch rule. "the loophole." it did not limit how many feet could be used to launch... series one lazair with at least 10 knts and 3 people holding it steady can be walked off Stanwell Park without much fuss.

 

Regards

 

Ozzie

 

 

[Guest sceadu52jr]

... series one lazair with at least 10 knts and 3 people holding it steady can be walked off Stanwell Park without much fuss.

Ozzie...sounds like you tried it!!!

Wayne

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Yes, i made two footlaunches with an original series onethat had the sling seat. for added safety i wore a hang harness. with the help of three friends one on each strut and one just to balance the tail. it was lifting most of it's weight in the 10 kts. and only took about ten quick paces to fly off the slope. (engines off).Bit of a fright when i knocked the stick when i lifted myself into the seat. The second launch was much cleaner. but not something to do everyday. It requires carefull ground handleing in wind. Did it just to prove a point. this method wasn't new or untried as they had been launching primary gliders similar to this way for many years earlier.

 

The Lazair performed quite well ridge soaring. Top of the stack back then. i think the modern HG's would surpass it in performance today. I still occassionally ridge soar it, but i fly to the ridge now, then shut down.

 

Ozzie

 

 

[avid_flyer]

Hi Wannabigplane

 

We ( a group of 9) went to Osh last year.

 

It was just incrediable!

 

We started off with a few days in LA, and did a bit of sightseeing.

 

Oshkosh,

 

Buffalo to go to Nigarra Falls

 

Then down to Washington DC (there are in fact 7 Smithsonian's.. 2 avaition museums, fine art, modern art, American Indian etc.....

 

One of the Aviation Museems is in the city and the other is at Duell's Airport.. can get a shuttle bus on the hour from the airport to Muesem.

 

Then Vegas... dont forget the Boneyard... Hope to get there next year, when hopefully go back the USA again.

 

San Francisco and home... all in about 22 days.

 

We wanted to see as much as we could in that time.

 

If you going to plan a trip also dont forget the "Spruce Goose" at McMinville, Orgeon.

 

Boeing @ Seattle... use the net to surf out aviation museums before you go...

 

also join the EAA and check out their site for upcoming events.

 

Good luck .. you will be "gobsmacked" with all that is on offer at Oshkosh.

 

Dont forget the International Test .. every day.. welcome shade, cool drinking water and a good meeting point and the Internation Dinner on the Thurs Evening. Excellent!!

 

Well worth the time and effort.

 

Ange

 

 

[jguscott]

Oshkosh 2008

 

Hi All, I will be there this year as well, doing own thing also...see ya there !!

 

 

[Seal]

For those interested in launches see

 

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html