Oshkosh changes bring a bit of sadness

One of the highlights of my summers is a trip to Oshkosh, Wis., for the annual AirVenture show. The best parts of the show are seeing what is new and catching up with old friends.

Since I have been going to this show for about 30 years, I have noted a lot of changes. I assume that the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has a master plan for all of the moves, [Read more...]

Unleaded to Oshkosh

The dust has literally settled in Oshkosh, and there was a good deal of it on the first days of AirVenture 2012 when high temperatures and winds turned the headquarters of U2OSH — Unleaded to Oshkosh — into a blast furnace. A last minute mix-up (EAA had double-booked our space with Beechcraft) forced a move onto Celebration Way, which turned out to be a good location, directly on the main route of travel between the exhibit’s entrance and Phillips66 square. Many members of the Aviation Fuel Club found us and registered for the event, receiving a special decal and T-shirt commemorating the 30th anniversary of the FAA’s approval of the first autogas STC during Oshkosh 1982.

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Flying coast to coast in a homebuilt

By TOM JONES

Many people dream of making the trip of a lifetime, but few make the dream a reality. Not so for Albert and Sharon Gardner, a Yuma, Ariz., couple who flew coast to coast in their RV-10. Last summer, the couple flew nearly 12,000 miles, landing in 100 cities in 37 states.

The trip was the culmination of a longtime desire that Albert had to land his airplane in every contiguous state of the Union. Prior to this trip, he had landed his airplane in every state west of the Mississippi.

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Green with envy?

No matter where he goes, Tim Fox’s green Ercoupe draws a crowd

“The first time I saw it, I thought, ‘my God, that is green!’” says Tim Fox, of Fort Wayne, Ind., describing the first time he laid eyes on his Ercoupe. “Green” does not even come close to describing Fox’s 1946-C model. At last year’s AirVenture, the bright color drew people to the aircraft in the Vintage parking area and Fox stood by, proudly basking in the appreciation for his airplane.

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Van’s introduces RV-14A

Van’s Aircraft surprised the crowds at AirVenture by introducing its newest model, the RV-14A.

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Texas pilot wins aircraft covering system

Brad Harman of Texas was named winner of Bruce’s Custom Covers custom-fitted aircraft cover awarded to a Gateway To Oshkosh Fly-in participant.

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My first Oshkosh

By IVY McIVER

“Silver and white Cirrus, right side of the runway.” As I taxied my aircraft through the chaos at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) on the last day of AirVenture, it was hard to believe that only one week ago I had arrived at the big show for the first time.

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A fast forward build

Zenith’s Sebastien Heintz sent along this link to a very cool time-lapse photo of kids building a Zenith STOL CH 750 at this year’s AirVenture. Check it out here.

Contact!

In the old days, the word “Contact!” was central to the process of getting things going. The pilot yelled  “Contact!” The mechanic then responded in kind while laying hands on the prop. Seconds later, after a grunt, a flip of the prop, and a puff of smoke, an airplane would leap to life.

Technology has changed that process a bit. But the need to make contact is as important as ever, in whatever form it takes.

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Piper launches Seneca V demo tour

Last week’s AirVenture was the launch site for a multi-state demonstration tour for the Piper Seneca V, a twin-engine turbocharged aircraft.

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