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On the Fence About Going to AirVenture Oshkosh?
Here’s 10 Reasons Not To.
by Dianne White
As the topic for my Editor’s Briefing a few years ago, I penned a piece called “10 Reasons Why You Should Go to Oshkosh This Year.” Being perennially passionate about general aviation’s biggest celebration, the article was inspired by my efforts to
convince my spouse to make the trek to Wisconsin.
This being my 26th year since my first journey to AirVenture Oshkosh, I’d like to offer up an alter- native list. Here are my 10 reasons why you should NOT attend AirVenture Oshkosh 2018.
The Fisk Arrival. The starting point of the AirVenture Oshkosh VFR arrival can be a hair-raising experience for the uninitiated. If you were not lucky enough to obtain an IFR arrival, you may find yourself in the queue with a variety of aircraft types with vastly different performance profiles. Most important point: download and carefully review the NOTAM. Even if you arrive IFR, Oshkosh is a beehive when conditions are VFR and you will find yourself in the mix aiming for your assigned col- ored dot. Successfully navigate the Fisk Arrival and you will have the honor of being able to say you did it. And have a story to tell for the next seven days at the show.
Watching OSH arrivals makes you nervous. Once you are on the ground, one of the most entertaining and best-kept secrets at AirVenture is watching arrivals. Take a walk to the flight line Monday morning and you will find droves of nice people sitting in their chairs, fresh coffee in hand, watching as dozens of aircraft stream in to the airfield. Watching the arrivals while listening to the tower frequency doubles the fun. Sometimes a landing gets sporty or there is a go-around. Ev- eryone prays that no one gets hurt and nothing gets bent. Still, it’s the best bonus entertainment your wristband can buy.
My future airplane might spot me. And start singing its siren song to me. For those inter- ested in checking out the offerings from Textron Aviation, Piper, Daher, Embraer, Pilatus and every other manufacturer under the sun, AirVenture Oshkosh is the place to sit in the pilot’s seat of the newest aircraft on the market. I love my current aircraft and have no intention of trading up, so I’m not listening. Really, I’m not.
Too many opportunities to spend money. Everywhere you turn, there are newer, nicer, faster gadgets, gizmos, tools and toys. In fact, there are four hangars’ full plus acres of exhibits. Like offering heroine to an addict, it’s hard to say no. Ask me, I know. Last year, I was resolute to NOT spend money, and somehow came home with a new tug from Best Tugs. Is it the best tug I’ve ever owned? Of course, but that’s beside the point.
All that walking. For a girl with a hip replacement and the other needing replacement, this is no stroll in the park. The length of the massive convention site is at least 20 miles. I’m
16 • TWIN & TURBINE
July 2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF CONNOR MADISON