Grounded, and that’s okay

In the days before live, graphical weather updates on an iPad, pilots called into weather service or visited — in-person — a flight service station to learn both current and forecast weather.

Years ago, before I had an instrument rating and was trying to get from point A to point B, on a schedule, weather often made its presence known. And that presence rarely seemed to be in the form of clear skies and tailwinds.

So that left me calling 800-WX-BRIEF every hour, just after the hour, to get the latest weather, in the hopes I’d be able to make my schedule.

What’s that saying? “Time to spare, go by air.”

Anyway, it’s funny how the mind works. Or maybe it’s just my mind.

After reading EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton’s message about the cancellation of AirVenture 2020, titled — We Don’t Gamble, We Need A Sure Thing — waves of thoughts and memories poured over and through me.

In Jack’s May 1 message he writes, “Normally, this is the month when we start our preflight planning for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.” Ah, love the use of that aviation metaphor right off the bat.

I imagine Jack calling 800-COVID-19 over and over again, hoping for a much improved forecast. One that would allow for AirVenture 2020 to takeoff as planned.

“But because of circumstances beyond our control, none of this can happen now. We cannot even get to the hangar, so our preflight is left to watching the prog charts.”

Just like weather, this pandemic has left too much outside of our control. 

“As your leader, I see no clear path,” he continued.

Seeing no clear path, Jack determined he had “no choice but to cancel AirVenture 2020.”

Like so many other commentaries, Jack then looks to the future with hope. “Together, we can come back stronger, safer and ready for AirVenture 2021 and create a memorable world class aviation event,” he concluded.

Personally, I wasn’t planning to attend AirVenture this year. For decades I dutifully attended AirVenture. Not necessarily out of passion (although I do have that), but because that’s what you are supposed to do as a publisher of a nationwide aviation magazine. 

But then 2011 happened. In 2011 I missed both SUN ‘n FUN and AirVenture. 

That was the year my Dad (who I was very close to) died. On Feb. 26, 2011, while driving in my truck to go set up our display at the Northwest Aviation Conference in Puyallup, Washington, I mentioned to Dad that I had noticed, over the prior few days, a slide droop appear on the right side of his face. The memory of that discussion is so clear in my mind I could take you today to the stretch of highway it took place.

Four months later, on July 26 (during AirVenture 2011) Dad died. Mom and I were at his side. There was no way you could’ve dragged me to Oshkosh that summer.

My family’s own personal pandemic. (Yeah, I know that’s not a thing).

Since 2011, I’ve been on an every-other-year (or so) AirVenture schedule. No, this isn’t some higher priority, life’s meaning is now in focus type of decision. Simply, it is what I’m doing at present. 

When I attended AirVenture 2012, I was ready. I couldn’t wait to feel Wisconsin’s summer heat and humidity. I couldn’t wait for the days-end exhaustion that comes with hours of conversation, laughter, learning, and exploration.

AirVenture, like countless other aviation and community events, is grounded for 2020. Jack made the right call. One I fully support (not that he needs my support). 

Now we can stop looking at the weather to see if we can find a way through the front. We’re grounded, for now, and that’s okay.