Category: Trips

Back from OSH – time to get to work.

Brian 0 Comment Trips

Wow, what a trip. I had an absolute blast at AirVenture, and want to go back again next year if I can.

As always, things didn’t quite go to plan last week. The weather made an absolute mess of things at Oshkosh, but everything worked out in the end. I got to fly from the DC area to Wisconsin in a beautifully equipped Cardinal and log a bunch of flight time. As this was my longest XC to date, I was extremely happy to have a knowledgeable and patient CFI sitting next to me!

We had a bit of a headwind heading out to OSH, so it took us almost 8 hours to get to KUNU (Staging point for the Cessna 2 OSH mass arrival). On Saturday, the storm fronts came through so we had to delay our departure. Then OSH closed parking, delayed us a few times, and finally it was clear that the EARLIEST we would be able to arrive was Sunday evening. That sucked as there were no hotel rooms anywhere nearby and not everyone had camping gear (including my flight buddy). It’s a bit of a long story, but we ended up leaving the airplane at KUNU, and getting a ride to OSH where there was an RV Camper already waiting for us (It was delivered on Friday).

Bright-side, I got to stay in an air-conditioned RV for the week with electrical and water hookups. Down-side was a longer walk to all the events and not being able to fly into OSH. Not a huge deal as many others had much worse situations. By Sunday afternoon it was clear that Camp Scholler arrival may have been worse than the FISK arrival. People were camped on the streets around OSH since the campgrounds turned into a muddy mess. Some were not able to camp until Tuesday (and aircraft parking didn’t fully open till Wed).

I did get to watch the Cessnas mass arrival, meet a number of RV builders, and chat with many of the vendors on-site. I think I logged 7 miles of walking every day, but ate plenty of unhealthy food to compensate.

By Thursday, it was time to pack up and head home. Flight home was slightly faster. Still had a headwind and some build-ups to dodge, but it was a shorter and cooler flight. Overall had a great time, spent a bit of cash, and am looking forward to going back again.

Now that I’m home, I’m back in the garage again and trying to put some videos up. Hopefully I can get caught up in the next few days and post my progress.

Personal update – Flying and OSH?!?!

Brian 0 Comment General, Trips

As I have posted previously, I have decided to cut back on my flying time and spend more time at home working on the build. I am trying to get up in the air every few months and have been lucky enough to have offers to fly with some others to keep me at least somewhat active. I will be using the simulator to keep my Instrument rating current, but I will not be proficient. That will have to wait until my project is in the air.

With all that said, I was actually expecting and planning to drive out to OSH this year and do some car camping. I have LOTS of questions to ask vendors as well as trying to scope out show deals on things I already know I’m going to purchase. In chatting with another local pilot, I was casually asked if I was going to OSH and how I was planning to get there. As I explained my plans, I was quickly asked if I wanted to fly out to OSH in his cardinal and participate in the Cessnas to Oshkosh mass arrival. I jumped at that opportunity and am extremely excited to not only fly to OSH, but take part in the mass arrival.

Spent the last few weeks changing my packing around to more “lightweight” gear as I’m going to be camping next to the airplane. I have no idea what to expect or what I really need to bring with me. I realize there is a target and plenty of ways to get stocked up if needed, and I can always ship things home if I need to. Either way I’m going in with lots of excitement and expecting this to be a learning opportunity.

Another XC flight with my girls – DC to NJ

Brian 0 Comment Trips

This weekend I was luck enough to be able to fly up to NJ with my girls for an event in NYC with my brother and father. Most of the week was spent watching weather and trying to see if I was going to have to drive, or if flying was going to work.

This was also going to be my first XC flight in a 172SP with autopilot. Talk about living the life! That plus my new IR rating would be my first XC flying in the system. Let’s just say that I was leaning on canceling as I did not want to get sucked into “get there itis” and have any issues.

On Thursday evening I did my last online briefing before bed and saw a good window that I thought was safe. Winds were scheduled to be calm until just after 10am in DC and would remain manageable until about noon in NJ (straight down the runway). Sat looked like great weather all day for my return flight.

Packed everyone in the car early and got to the airport by 7:30 am or so, however the airplane was frosted over. Another weather brief and looks like winds should pick up around 11:00, so plenty of time to try to get the frost melted.

Turned the airplane around so the sun can melt the frost, and get the flightplan filed. (inside the FRZ, so no Foreflight filing) Finally everything was ready and we departed around 9:30 or so. Only down side was no cabin heat and I’m not a huge fan of the KLN GPS in this airplane. Autopilot however was absolutely fabulous and really made the flight easier on me.

While the flight was a little bumpy due to winds, I was glad I did it. Helped me to evaluate my minimums as I had been on the fence most of the week if I would launch. Also getting experience with different equipment is helping me make sure I understand what I want out of my airplane. Had a good (but cold) flight up and a easy flight home, even with the headwind. Can’t wait for my project to finish so I can get more adventures with my daughters!