Oshkosh - Feeling Connected

Not much time to collect my thoughts after flying in the Homebuilder's Showcase, Saturday at Oshkosh is its busiest day and the warbirds were just getting ready to go. By the time I could get over to the fence by the taxi way there were 5 Mustangs and a Spitfire lining up. Walked by the whole group about 20 feet away. Each time the line advanced they would stop with tail turned to the side waiting for the next move. For an engine nut like me it was possible to get directly behind and wait for the roar from the exhaust, a big blast of prop wash, burned 100LL fumes, and warm oil smell. A complete sensory experiance! As the number of operational warbirds continues to decrease, its sad to think that some future generations will only be able to see them cold and static in a museum. In near perfect weather we saw and heard the warbirds in the air with generous amounts of pyrotechnics to complete the effect.

Watched the whole thing from show center sitting on the Silver Surfer's wing. Met a Hummel Bird builder from New Zealand who also installed a full VW. It was amazing how close our birds were in both weight and performance. A builder from Arizona walked up and said, "Hi Bruce, I'm Larry Flag". "Oh yeah, your the guy that built the MOD (My Own Design)". He had pictures of his variation of the VW powered single place aluminum bird. It is so neet to have a common bond with people from all over, instant connection. Ask him to please bring the plane next year so we start a grouping of the really affordable planes in the homebuilt section. Nothing else around where I was parked would near my price range. You would have to go to the ultralight section to get even close.

This would be a good time to go over and check out the ultralights, by now I had seen most of the remaining airshow performers a couple of times anyway. There is no place like the ultralight section. It has a circus like atmosphere. You can see the most variation and inovation there. From the classic flying lawn chair (allways have wanted to try one) to fully enclosed cabin planes that somehow manage to have top speeds below 60 mph. Can't wait for the Sport Plane/Sport Pilot regulations to end all this sillyness. The Hummel Aviation guys had their hands full with hoards of lookers. The grass around the Ultra Cruiser and Plus was more stomped than the Silver Surfers. Once again they ask me to go into town for dinner, a great diversion from the Mt. Sacred Heart bratwusrt.

That nights program at the Theater of the Woods was the awards presentation for the best of show planes. Was surprised how many of the planes that I took pictures of turned out to be prize winners. Had my plane judged, but there is a huge difference between my building skills and that of the show plane winners. Do not have that kind of patience or attention to the fine details. If felt good to be there and applaud for each winner, feeling really connected to their well deserved pride. It a real honor to be a member of such an elite group.

Felt a little down knowing that the week had peaked and from here on it would be winding down. Thank goodness I was wrong about that.

Thank, Bruce King

100% + 201hrs