It’s 2021, and it’s the summer of YES.
YES, we are back in the air and out into the world. YES, we are slowly eliminating the need for those pandemic-related words such as social distancing, masked up, limited capacity and shutdowns. And YES, we’re setting our sights on EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Like the Joni Mitchell song goes, sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Last summer, there was a gaping hole in my calendar and in my aviation life called Oshkosh. I missed seeing old friends; I missed the sights and sounds of the air show; I yearned to walk among the long rows of classic, antique and warbird aircraft; and I was even nostalgic for the often neurotic weather of northern Wisconsin. Okay, maybe not the steamy, humid part of the Wisconsin July weather experience, but the 75-and-dry days that highlight our AirVenture mental memory book.
I got a small taste of what it’s like to be back to fun aviation events in early June when MMOPA and Mead Aircraft Services hosted a member event in Kansas City. Called MMOPA Uncowled, it was a one-day event where PA46 maintenance guru Kevin Mead took owners through a detailed walk-around of several uncowled aircraft to help them learn how to be better stewards of their aircraft, understand and see how various systems work together, and arm them with information to more effectively troubleshoot problems or an inflight emergency.
It’s a great regional event concept we invented pre-pandemic but had to mothball in 2020. But this being the summer of YES, we held our first Uncowled event and it was a huge success. Beyond the educational value, everyone simply enjoyed being together with like-minded owner-pilots who share their passion for aviation. We enjoyed a KC barbecue lunch and were treated to ice cream at the end of the day, giving us time to catch up on family news, flying stories and show each other the latest avionics or improvements that we’ve made to our planes. (No ice cream was dripped on any carpet.) While 2020 was the year of NO for most, it was the year of YES when it came to avionics upgrades and paint/interior transformations.
One quick story: Midway through the event, a man hesitantly stepped into the hangar and approached one of our hosts. Turns out he was a local member who happened to be driving by and saw a ramp full of PA46s. Curious as to what was going on, he popped in and soon realized this was an event that he somehow missed hearing about. He was downright giddy to join in with the group and spent the rest of the day with us.
EAA is embracing the summer of YES by introducing several improvements to the AirVenture experience. The airshow schedule looks amazing, with all of our old favorites for us to enjoy. Also, the cancellation of the show last year allowed them to work on several improvements that will make accessing the show easier and less stressful.
First, the NOTAM has been revised, which includes a few significant changes: There are new ATC-assignable transition points approaching Oshkosh from the west that will ease holding and congestion. These points are at Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake and Green Lake. They will be announced on the arrival ATIS when ATC puts them into use at times of highest traffic flows. Since it’s been a couple of years since we’ve flown to OSH, it’s a good idea to review the NOTAM prior to takeoff and store it on your iPad or in ForeFlight for easy reference.
And while we are on the subject, it’s a good idea to sharpen up those spot-landing skills and tight pattern work. Oshkosh is a challenging environment for even the most skilled and proficient. Make sure you have both polished up.
Another improvement: EAA is making our lives easier with its Express Arrival. Those who registered in advance have already received their wristbands and parking passes in the mail, which will shorten the lines entering the show. Although the deadline is already past to register, it is a great idea I hope they continue beyond 2021.
Admittedly this is weirdly satisfying to the germaphobes among us: EAA is partnering with Jani-King to sanitize and disinfect high traffic areas throughout the show grounds. While we know that COVID is predominately spread through airborne transmission in low-ventilation indoor spaces, who doesn’t appreciate cleaner facilities?
Lastly, the daily airshows are chock-full of fantastic performers, including the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Kirby Chambliss, Rob Holland, Patty Wagstaff and the Red Bull Air Force. Even the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team said YES to performing daily during AirVenture.
Will you join me in the summer of YES? I have a sneaky feeling that the answer is definitely in the affirmative. See you at AirVenture!