Oshkosh 2011 Day 1
There have been slow blog updates the last few days due to the fact I was having a blast with my father, girlfriend and her father in Oshkosh, WI!
The four amigos, us, went up to EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Airventure airshow last week to fulfill one more item on my bucket list. It was the first time for my dad and I and needless to say, we were astonished at the magnitude of the place. Not just the land area it covers but the amount of planes, the amount of people, everything. It is quite impossible to explain the scale without actually seeing it in person. I had great expectations on my way to Oshkosh; those were blown out of the water at first sight. There isn’t anything else like it in the world. If you like planes, technology, or anything having to do with aviation this is the place to be at the end of July.
Ash and her father flew up in their private plane early in the week (Sunday) and my dad and I flew commercial on Thursday morning. Our trip there began much to early, 4:30am to be precise. Once we boarded the plane at DFW we were promptly informed of a weather delay in Chicago. We were able to connect through Chicago and board the plane to Green Bay, just in time, where Ash and her Father picked us up.
Day one was spent getting a feel for the aviation spectacle that is Oshkosh. It would be hard to see everything in the 10 days the airshow is open so in just four days we were confined to only seeing highlights. We walked around a bunch and spent most of that morning in the main viewing area which held all the big Navy planes (KC-135, F-18’s, F-16’s, B29 Superfortress, etc., etc.). The overall theme of the show was celebrating 100 years of Navy aviation. A good portion of the planes being flown and on the tarmacs was Navy planes from the past 100 years. How far we have come in only 100 years of aviation! Spectacular.
That afternoon we watched the first airshow, unfortunately it was hindered by a low ceiling (which in perspective wasn’t as low or controversial as the debt ceiling but that is another topic). It was still quite a show, with fly-bys, acrobatics, dog fights, aerobatic helicopters, and anything else one could imagine. I am not sure how it is for the masses but I cannot help but get emotional seeing such beauty flying through the air. Knowing what those aircraft have done for our country, seeing such power and beauty, I don’t know how anyone could not get emotional. Either way it was great.
That evening we had a great dinner at a local restaurant in Oshkosh; soon after we hit our tents to rest up for the next eventful day.
Oshkosh 2011 Day 2
Day two of Oshkosh corresponds to Friday July 29th, 2011. It was my dad and I only full day at the event so I wanted to see as much as possible.
That morning we headed out early to get some errands run, on our way back to the airport we saw a jumbo jet flying overhead. Turns out it was the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Whoa, from a distance it is an incredible aircraft. We pulled over on the south end of runway 18 and watched it do a flyby and then come in for a landing. Sweet plane to say the least.
Shortly after we started to walk and headed to the warbirds section. It is where all the old military aircraft, as well as modern military jets, are kept. I honestly do not think my words can explain just how many pristine military aircraft were there. It seemed like every P-51 Mustang still in existence was there. Old Russian Migs, the first Lockheed Jets from the Korean War, F-16’s, F-18’s, Beautiful F4 Corsair’s, P-38’s, DC-3’s, T-6’s, B-17, B-25’s, B-29’s, anything and everything that flew for the military was there; A plane fanatics dream.
After that Ash and I went to check out the 787 which was now parked on the tarmac backed up against the B-29 Superfortress. I am not quite sure if there is anything quite as beautiful as seeing one of the most famous old planes of all time backed up against the newest and most technological commercial plane. One really has to stop and think how far aviation as come in 100 years. In one lifetime we have gone from the Wright brothers to the 787… wow.
The Rockwell-Collin’s sponsored airshow was that afternoon. It is impossible to write everything that flew during the airshow but the two highlights were getting to see the B-29 fly and drop its imaginary payload onto kerosene on the ground as well as seeing the 787 turn on a dime and take off for the first time in front of the public.
That evening we had another great dinner with Pat, my father, Ash, and a bunch of other flying buddies.
I wish I could “type” my enthusiasm and amazement of this day in Oshkosh. If it is any consolation I have been smiling throughout typing this post just reminiscing on the epicenes of the day.
Oshkosh 2011 Day 3
Day three was a shorter day at Oshkosh. We had planned on leaving Sunday but weather was blowing in from Canada and we didn’t want to get stuck there Sunday while the weather passed so we left a day half a day early.
That morning we all woke up early and headed over to Pioneer airport (a small grass strip still on Oshkosh property) for a helicopter ride. It is a small Bell 47 that takes two passengers up at a time directly over the airport. It gives an extremely cool perspective of the airport and airshow. It really puts how massive the airshow is into perspective. It is planes, campers, and people as far as the eye can see.
After the ride we headed over to the Oshkosh museum which had a display of Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne and the Voyager plane. The first was the first private ship in space the second was the first nonstop fuel flight around the world. Stunning works of aviation & its history.
After checking out a few of the convention halls we packed the tents up and headed out on our way home to Texas.
The flight back was wicked great. Stayed at 6500 ft. most of the way back with a fuel stop in Kansas City.
This isn’t the end of the Oshkosh posts though! Even though this is the end of my pictures I still have all of Ashley’s pictures to post. If I am able to get those all edited tonight that will be the post for tomorrow.
Oshkosh 2011 – Ashley’s Camera
Saved the best for last! Since I was more concerned on taking video during Oshkosh, I let Ash do all the photography. She did a dang good job in my opinion! (Check out here website at www.ashleyatkinson.com)
I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves. If you have just been skimming the small thumbnails I HIGHLY recommend going through all of these photos in the big version! And as always please let me know what you think!
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