BK1 Oshkosh 2005 – Security Alert-Stolen Golf Cart

The next morning at the crack of dawn put on my bright red Ambassadors shirt. Walked way up into Camp Scholler to the place where the Ambassadors camp and park their golf carts. Now what was the name of that street? Was shown a bunch of RV’s grouped together with golf carts parked all around as we drove by yesterday while getting my official golf cart driving lesson. On the floor there is a petal marked “GO” and another marked “STOP”. A lever to the side is labeled “Forward” and “Reverse”. Not to complicated for someone capable of flying a taildragger and a driving standard shift, maybe? Put the key in and just about twisted it off before being told that it doesn’t work that way. When you press the GO petal the starter engages, it cranks a few seconds, then the cart lurches destroying anything less than 10 feet ahead or behind, depending on the lever position. It must be a safety feature. Stop and the engine automatically dies, thus prepared for the next lurch. It’s handy for helping the people in the rear facing back set get off in a hurry. Ingenious design, bet their parts department does great business in starters and fenders. Was told that this cart’s reverse beeper was broken, so be careful lurching backwards.

Funny how different everything looks in the dawn’s early light walking in from a different direction. Wandered around the general area until I spotted some golf carts parked next to a bunch of RV’s (the non winged type). All the carts were brand new and several were identical to the one driven yesterday. The early light was dim so I got a bright idea to lighten things up. Took out the key it worked on the first one tried. If the key fits, this must be it. Since there wasn’t anything in front of it no damage was done as we lurched into action.

Headed on down to the flight line road looking for my first “special needs” customer. My way of thinking is that anyone not asleep and walking around this early has to have special needs. Just drive up to someone walking along and say, “How about a ride?” About 80% would immediately say “SURE”, some were a little slower. Rarely drove more than about 50 yards before 5 passengers were loaded. As a captive audience they immediately go the standard Oshkosh questions, “How did you come and how many times have you been here?” Few answered less than 10 to the second question. They would ask me, “Where’s a good place to get breakfast?” That’s easy, they day before while complaining about the $8 breakfast was told about the Twin Pines, way down near the South 40. Tried it out and found it was great, more like an EAA pancake breakfast. Ask one of the workers and found out why. They are the only volunteer food operation left since Expensive Cold Food Inc. took over everything else.

Approaching from behind some would look around with those hopeful puppy dog eyes that did not work for me so well. Told a few that it helps to start limping when you hear a cart coming, that worked for me a few times. This was much more fun than Flightline Security, and in a few days got to be a popular guy. Learned rule #1: Its good procedure to pick up the guy carrying a box out of the dounut factory. Had the opportunity to break the ice with many new friends. Was chatting with one nice man who had many questions about my plane so I gave him a BK1 card. As he got off the cart he said “Anything I can do for you just give me call”. Looked at the card and found out he was Senator Inhofe, now I am an official senatorial chauffer, on a lurchy golf cart!

Drove back and forth between the North and South 40 and around AeroShell Square a few laps until the first tractor shuttle appeared around 8:00 AM. Went back up to in Camp Scholler to find the place where to leave the cart. It looks different in the daylight and many of the parked carts were gone. Turned up the wrong way, and when lurching backward heard the cart say, “BEEP BEEP BEEP” Funny, thought he said the beeper was broken on this cart. Eventually found the RV and pulled back into the same spot. A couple standing nearby came over quickly. Started to tell them how much fun it was driving the cart around this morning. Instead of a smile got this steely mean look from them. Then one said, “We reported to Oshkosh Security that that cart was stolen about an hour and a half ago, expected it to be long gone by now”. “What,” I said, “How can it be stolen when its right here? See, this key fits it.” With their best you must be an idiot look they said, “All the key are the same. They tried different keys once and it got all messed up. Security said they have been looking everywhere for cart.” “Sorry about that”, I said in my best Don Adams impersonation, “Worried about Security though. They couldn’t find a cart being driven all around AirVenture by a guy wearing a bright red shirt?” Shoot, that means I still have to find the right cart tomorrow.

Thank, Bruce King

www.bkfliers.com

dbk4939@yahoo.com