Page 34 - Volume 18 Number 10

by David MillerMy Trip To OSHIam sure most of you have been to EAA AirVenture, or what we call “Oshkosh.” But, for me, it had been more than twenty years since my last pilgrimage. I flight-planned the trip in my CJ1+ the long way, first from KADS (Addison, TX) to KHDC (Hammond, LA) and back to pick up family members. Then, a quick turn and on to KAGC (Allegheny County, PA). Why Pennsylvania? Two reasons.1. It’s the home of Mark Aloe and his CJ3. I will fly quite a detour to get to fly a CJ3.2. Mark is an experienced OSH visitor and he welcomed a second set of eyes in the cockpit for our approach into the “world’s busiest airport.”On the way up to the Pittsburgh area, I got a taste of the unusual weather we’ve been experiencing this summer. The Polar Vortex. Level at FL 410, I had a 30-knot tailwind in ISA -2 temperatures. The KAGC forecast was for surface winds out of the northwest at 13, gusting to 18, and visibilities of more than 6 statute miles with broken clouds at 3,500 feet. About 300 miles from the destination, the temps aloft jumped to ISA +5 and the tailwind increased to 85 knots. Checking the hourly weather, things were certainly not as forecast. Surface winds were variable from 240 to 360 degrees gusting to 28, with 1 1/2 miles visibility and 900 overcast. Hum.... I wondered what was in store for my arrival?On the descent, I entered the tops at 14,000. The wild ride didn’t start until about 5,000 and I ended up shooting the ILS to 28 in pretty rough conditions and moderate rain.Welcome to Pittsburgh.The next day, under clear skies, Mark and I thoroughly briefed the IFR arrival into OSH, found in a 30-page NOTAM for AirVenture procedures. It turned out to be a piece of cake with very little traffic and completely organized. For those of you who haven’t been to OSH, it’s an aviation happening beyond belief. If it has to do with flying, you will absolutely find it there.If the arrival was routine, the departure wasn’t. The controllers were launching three at a time on runway 27. On our takeoff roll, one airplane was just off the departure end, one was rotating, and both were climbing at about 80 knots as we accelerated in theWith 5,000-plus hours in his logbook, David Miller has been flying for business and pleasure for more than 40 years. Having owned and flown a variety of aircraft types, from turboprops to midsize jets, Miller, along with his wife Patty, now own and fly a Citation CJ1+. You can contact David at davidmiller1@sbcglobal.net.CJ3 at more than twice their speed. “Twin with yellow wings, side step to the right!” barked the tower three times, to no avail as we rocketed up from behind. Finally, we took matters into our own hands and quickly deviated left after some unplanned formation flying.But my personal highlight at OSH was all about my ego.Mark and I were having a friendly bet about a whether a huge single-engine turbine on floats was a Cessna Caravan or a Turbo Beaver. To answer the question, we drove our golf cart right up to the monster just as its owner and family were deplaning. “What is this thing?” Mark asked. “Turbo Beaver, what else?” came the reply. As I handed the owner my business card, he stared, hesitated and said,” Are you the David Miller that writes for Twin and Turbine?” My head, expanding with gas from the recognition and stardom, almost caused the cart to turn over.“Why, yes, I am, I proclaimed. “Why do you ask?” “Because I REALLY want to meet Patty.”So much for MY ego.Fly safe.David’s first book, “Confessions of a Very Private Pilot”, is available at: www.universityaviationpressON FINAL32 • TWIN & TURBINE OCTOBER 2014