Oshkosh 2006

1. Oshkosh 2006 …it really IS the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration…

2. I arrived via human mailing tube (a commercial flight to MKE)…see…that doesn’t even count as flying...okay, so the physics are there…but seriously…flying is about the passion…it’s about the feeling…more on that later… The week started with a Beach Boys concert. Notice the clouds…it was stormy…but what a great concert. The ramp was packed with people who were there to have a good time…what a great beginning to one of the best weeks ever… Other new airplanes this year… Cessna’s LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) concept and Honda’s VLJ (Very Light Jet) concept…overall there was a lot of buzz about both LSAs and VLJs… This is a plans-built P-51A…incredible… Honda has a patent on this over-the-wing engine configuration…

3. Vintage is one of my favorite places to take pictures…and I was eager to play with my new camera… There was also a special Barnstormers area…

4. Yes, this is his takeoff…! Some fun air show pictures… Jim LeRoy’s ribbon cut… Gene Soucy’s Showcat… Red Baron Squadron Stearman team

5. The combined bomber/P-51 Missing Man Formation was a great tribute… More air show pictures… The USAF Heritage Flight is always something special…

6. Some of the notable modern military aircraft appearing this year were a C-17, the Blue Angels, a B-1, and 2 F-22s…

7. The Warbird area is my favorite place...and P-51s are gorgeous airplanes…curves + power…what an incredible combination…pure magic…think about it…what more could you want?... This P-40 was sold to the U.S. government in ’42, transferred to Russia 2 days later, crashed during combat in ’43, was recovered in ’92, restored, and finally flew again on 5 June 2006.

8. Somewhere in the mid 90’s I fell in love with the Sea Fury…and there was a good showing this year… This one was for sale…only $750k… 1947 DeHavilland Vampire… World’s Oldest Flying Jet

9. And now for the finale… There’s a film called One Six Right – The Romance of Flying…maybe you’ve heard of it. Probably not. Check it out…it’s magic. The soundtrack is incredible, the videography is breathtaking, and the editing is seamless. Know what it feels like to fly? Not human mailing tube flying, I mean really flying. That passion that takes over the first time you taste what it’s like to be airborne? It’s intoxicating. The freedom? That breathless sense of wonder as you look around in amazement that you’re so privileged as to experience something so incredible? This film has all that. They know that flying is far beyond the physics…it really is the passion. That’s what makes Oshkosh so great. Sure, there are more airplanes than you could ever take in. But it’s the people. This year brought visits with old friends…while some old friends were noticeably absent…I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in years…and we met plenty of new people. People from all walks of life. Brought together because we share the passion, we know what it feels like to fly…and we love it. The production company was promoting One Six Right at Oshkosh this year, including holding two screenings. As part of their promotion, they held a drawing. First prize was a flight with Sean Tucker in the Columbia 400…I really wanted that. Second prize was a flight with David Ellison in an Extra 300. That would have been cool. Third prize was a flight in EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast…I know that would have been special because I did that in 1996…but back then they actually let you fly it! Dad and I followed the contest directions, got our entries properly filled out during the week, and entered them in the drawing at the end of the week. We also noted the rule that they would call your phone number once and if you didn’t answer they’d draw another name. We decided to be at the drawing ourselves, to mitigate the risk. They drew three names, and none of them were present. Then the phone calls…the first winner answered his phone. So did the second. But the third didn’t answer...so they drew again…and my name was drawn! Then there it was…they said there was a problem. The B-17 had a MX issue. They said I had a choice to make…this sounds intriguing. I could choose between a flight in EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor or a flight in an L-39…! Are you serious?! No, really, are you serious?!?!?! Now I do recognize that there is a segment of the population that would prefer the Tri-Motor… but I am sure as heck NOT in that segment of the population!!! Bring on the jet!!! Things really do always happen the way they’re meant to. The flight was to be the next day…and I couldn’t think of anything else...

10. Flight day brought some iffy weather, but it eventually cleared…and then the fun really began! The airplane is an Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros…a Czechoslovakian advanced jet trainer. The pilot is an ATP, 5000+ hours…clearly enjoyed what he was doing and made the flight really special. This couldn’t have been any better…part of me still doesn’t believe it even happened… Then he guided me through a roll, and I got to hang on to the stick for a bit (sts). He ended the flight with a 6g pull…yeah, baby!!!!!...and landed back at OSH. I have way too much to say to write it here, so ask me sometime. Those of you who know me can probably figure out part of why this was such a great experience. It’s been over a month now, and I’m still floating. He briefed the flight, then we strapped in, and he took Rwy 27 for a smooth takeoff. He was very verbal the whole flight, which I love. After climb-out he demoed the jet a bit, pulled a few g’s, and did some rolls and other aerobatics. This was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced…wow! Thanks again to the people of One Six Right for making this happen and to the pilot for taking me flying and making it so memorable!