I know this is a little early, but I'm considering going to Oshkosh next year in my float plane (floats only). I've watched the Oshkosh video on the procedures when taxiing into the float dock area but I cannont find anything on procedures in the air. I see the info on air procedures for land planes but nothing on special procedures for coming into the lake.

Any detailed info / insight would be helpful.
thx,

garth

Garth,
I've worked the unicom at airventure seaplane base for several years. It is actually easier to get in there than the main grounds. We always appreciated a 10 and 5 mile call, although a lot of guys just buzzed in and landed. If you approach from the north it is best to start at the very northern end of lake Winnebago, stay low and contact seabase unicom. Avoid the western side of the lake if at all possible because Whitman sits a short distance from the lake shore, and all the arrivals are funneled in from out west of there. Looks like a beehive at peak times. The warbirds use the lake as an approach lane, but they are usually higher up until set up for landing. I've seen some planes sneak in from the south between Whitman and Fond du Lac. That's probably a more direct route but there may also be a lot of traffic to watch for. Again, if you come in at the very southern end of the lake you should be alright. The Seaplane Pilots Assoc. usually puts out the procedures every year. At busy times there can be as many as 10 planes in the air around the base, as well as tour boats and aircraft movement operations going on. All this is coordinated by the unicom guys on the "point" so if they don't answer you right away please be patient.
It's a great place to be during the show. If you plan to camp there better get on the list early.
Mark

I beleive 600 AGL or lower over the lake, call the unicom freq. inbound for the seabase if you have a radio and land where you are comfortable as long as it's not in the lagoon. That's it

Thanks for your feedback guys - just a few more questions (and then likely more after that)

1. Who do I call to reserve a camping spot?
2. I'd be coming in from the Northwest (Central Canada). So I guess I'd come in from the North part of the lake and stick to the East side over the water and then turn due west to fly to the float base - make sense? The seaplane base appears to be in the Wittman control zone - do you not have to talk to them at all? I'm a member of the Seaplane Pilots Assoc. so i'll check with them on the procedures.
3. What days / times are typically the busiest to fly in / out of there?

Anything else anyone can tell me about Oshkosh would be great - tips, must see's, etc.

sorry for all the questions.

garth

Garth,
I'd fly right up the middle. Winnebago is a huge lake. If you are low, 600 or below you wont see anyone close to you. I fly a few hundred feet over the water and just watch for other seaplanes. Maybe make a postition report once. I have never reserved a camping spot in 4 trips. There; to my knowledge, has never been a lack of space for another tent. They pack them in fairly tight. Good food at the base, same vendor for a long time. I go there just to eat sometimes even if I didn't camp on floats. I have been weathered in there before. ~~~*~*~ WInd. A friend and I were the only departure of the day in a C185 on 3430 Edos about 8 years ago out on the lake, they closed the seabase for all departures after observing our stupid manuver. We had some big waves and the AK/Canada bush pilot took off in his light 185 parallel to the swells and it wasn't pretty. The next day they made a very rare exception and permitted departures in the lagoon going through the gap. Not sure they would ever do that again. I saw some damaged floats on some a/c that hit the waves exiting the lagoon back at my home base. If there is wind and swells you can land at the island SE of the base and get picked up by boat. I personally wouldn't want to leave my plane out there but that is their standard procedure. Winnebago can get rougher than hell. I'd land at Lake Butte Des Morts just north of OSH and when conditions improve go to the seabase. I'd say a day either side of the corn roast dinner held at the seabase would be the busier time with maybe sat... a heavy departure date.. One word of advice... Take a day and designate that to see the EAA musuem. It takes some time and a 2 hour window is an injustice.. The last shuttle buses for the seabase end fairly early. Try to line up a ride in a van with somebody at the seabase and desginate one evening to take in "theatre in the woods" at the EAA grounds. They have some pretty special talents and big name people that will give you a special show.

Thanks Scout for the reply. I think I'm clear on what to do now. I'm getting excited about the trip already - too bad its still a long way away.

garth

Where do you plan to clear customs at? Are there any special customs proceedures for float planes such as having to get out of the plane to dock it? I'm thinking of flying to Oskosh on floats too.

nofate wrote:Where do you plan to clear customs at? Are there any special customs proceedures for float planes such as having to get out of the plane to dock it? I'm thinking of flying to Oskosh on floats too.

I'm planning on clearing customs through an airport just south of duluth called sky harbour - it is at the very bottom of the lake. Not sure where your closest point is but you definately cannot do it at Oshkosh. Once you file your EAPIS stuff you give them a time and they (customs official) will meet you at the dock. Your not suppose to get out of the plane until they come but I believe you can get out and secure the plane and if they are not there, you need to get back in and wait for them to come.

garth

Garth,
Scout is right. Just cruise down the middle of the lake and you should be okay. I didn't mean to make it sound so difficult. I was on the "point" working the unicom on the day they used the lagoon for the take off run. We all held our breath on that one. As I remember the same guy did it a couple of times giving rides. Scout is also right that there are just a few busy times. The main reason to call in is to make sure that they have room for you at the docks. It sometimes gets busy on the docks with planes fueling and loading and unloading so a call helps them get them cleared for you. I also misspoke about the camping. I never have camped there. We are offered sites if we volunteer there and those have to be reserved so I assumed the fly-in campers had to also. And they do pack them in pretty tight, but the spot is very nice. Lots of trees. I've never hung around for the nighttime activities but have been told they have a pretty good time.
There is no place like Oshkosh for a flier.
Have fun
Mark

Thanks to SPA - I sent them an email and they promply replied with the procedures which were published in the summer issue of Water Flying.

garth

The seaplane base has a web site with good information. (http://oshkoshseaplanebase.com/seabase_info.htm)

I have flown in there several times. It is no problem and is much easier than on wheels. There are arrival procedures but they are to keep you away from traffic arriving at KOSH. The camping is reserved for seaplane pilots and crew flying in and volinteers only. There are buses that run about every 10 min. that will take you to KOSH for a $2.00 donation round trip. There are nightly activites at the base for seaplane pilots including a watermelon social with bar-B-que pork sandwiches that is very popular.

Dan J.

Everyone should be aware that a NOTAM actually describes the procedures for each year's Airventure. That NOTAM is available from EAA and online once it's posted, which is usually early summer.

DO NOT try to fly in there, to either the seaplane base OR the field without having thoroughly reviewed the CURRENT NOTAM. Just cause it happened one way for the last ten years doesn't mean it won't change this year.

Go to the EAA web site, and look for the OSH NOTAM, it'll be posted in plenty of time to review it and figure out how to comply.

I love information available on internet forums, and this stuff is helpful, but you really need to get the NOTAM and follow the procedures given there. If that matches what you find here, good deal. If not, follow the NOTAM.

MTV

mtv wrote:Everyone should be aware that a NOTAM actually describes the procedures for each year's Airventure. That NOTAM is available from EAA and online once it's posted, which is usually early summer.

DO NOT try to fly in there, to either the seaplane base OR the field without having thoroughly reviewed the CURRENT NOTAM. Just cause it happened one way for the last ten years doesn't mean it won't change this year.

Go to the EAA web site, and look for the OSH NOTAM, it'll be posted in plenty of time to review it and figure out how to comply.

I love information available on internet forums, and this stuff is helpful, but you really need to get the NOTAM and follow the procedures given there. If that matches what you find here, good deal. If not, follow the NOTAM.

MTV

True story! A year or two ago I listened to an ATC recording entitled, "How not to arrive at Oshkosh" and it was painfull to listen to. Wow! This guy wouldn't listen and it just kept going on and on... I'm sure someone has a link to it and/or can load it up. Read the Notam.

Garth, I wouldn't do customs at Sky Harbor. Much much much easier at Crane Lake (KCDD), Int'l Falls, or Baudette. Small bases completely set up for float planes. I have been into Sky Harbor dozens of times, and getting on the one and only dock or pulled out on the ramp can cause problems. It also is a call ahead customs meaning they aren't there full time, and will only come down from Duluth In'tl to clear you through then leave again. Crane is manned full time, do your eAPIS, then make a 10 minute radio call to US Customs before arrival. My first choice to cross is Crane Lake - great base, huge dock, fuel, friendly customs, very informal. You will need fuel one more time between customs and Osh, that will be your biggest challenge. Pierce County airport in Wisconsin will arrange to have fuel truck for you at a nearby lake if you call ahead. Other than that, Wisconsin is pretty baren for fuel on straight floats. I wouldn't hesitate to get fuel at Sky Harbor also, depending on your fuel capacity, wind etc you still may be tight on fuel to make Osh non stop from Sky Harbor. As long as the wind isn't too strong, going in to Osh seaplane base is a non-event, set the GPS to the north end of Winnebago, when you get there turn south and fly right down the center of the lake low until at the base, call about 10 out to the base, once on the water in front of the entrance to the lagoon, the base will tell you when to come in. Best place to stay at Osh is the seaplane base. Bring lots of money, everything at Osh requires $$$. email with any questions. Russ

Thanks guys for your feedback.

Russ - good to hear from you again - how is the 185? Thanks for the tip on Sky Harbour - only reason I picked there was it was half way point for fuel and it had customs. I have about a 450 mile range on my M5 (no wind) and the leg from my cottage to Sky Harbour is 250 and the leg from there to Osh is only 260 so that wouln't be a problem. I'll check those other locations you gave me. Fort Fances to Osh is 400 miles so tailwind would be no problem, but anything else might be.

garth

Crane Lake is only 360 miles to Osh so that one looks decent.

garth

Garth, Crane to Osh would be pushing it, namely because you can't go a straight line across Lake Superior, at least I wouldn't recommend it, you end up crossing right at Duluth. Crane to Sky is about 125 miles. If you hit weather or wind in Wisconsin you can get in a pickle on fuel. Last time I went to Osh I carried 10 extra gallons with me, topped off at Sky Harbor, and due to weather in Wisconsin I landed and poured that extra 10 in before Osh, and was glad I did. I had 50 gallon tanks and burned 12-13 an hour. I would top off at Crane and Sky Harbor Duluth, then you could skip Pierce County if the weather looked good. Wisconsin also has a good number of lakes closed to seaplanes. Minnesota is basically wide open, and has lots of bases with fuel. You can get fuel at Crane Lake KCDD, Tower 12D, Sky Harbor Eveleth and Sky Harbor Duluth, all right along your flight path, all 30-40 miles apart. I am not aware of any seaplane bases with fuel across Wisconsin on your path. Sky Harbor Duluth is highly susceptible to fog that time of year.

Garth, I agree with Rhyppa right down the line. Crane lake Customs only requires 10 minutes notice, is very easy to get in and they also have gas. Coming back Sand Point Canadian Customs is only a couple of miles N-E of Crane Lake US Customs and requires no notice and is easy to get in. I can't help you on where to get gas at, but will confirm from lots of experience, that Duluth has major problems with fog. For years I used Duluth International to clear Customs on wheels and it was what finally pushed me into getting the instrument ticket. It sounded like you have your eapis under control, which is good. Have you flown through the border before and know about getting the squawk code? It should be a great adventure for you. One or two planes on straight floats from Dryden are going down and I have been considering it. Steve

Ok Russ - thanks for the info - definately helps to have feedback from someone who has "been there, done that"

garth

steve wrote:Garth, I agree with Rhyppa right down the line. Crane lake Customs only requires 10 minutes notice, is very easy to get in and they also have gas. Coming back Sand Point Canadian Customs is only a couple of miles N-E of Crane Lake US Customs and requires no notice and is easy to get in. I can't help you on where to get gas at, but will confirm from lots of experience, that Duluth has major problems with fog. For years I used Duluth International to clear Customs on wheels and it was what finally pushed me into getting the instrument ticket. It sounded like you have your eapis under control, which is good. Have you flown through the border before and know about getting the squawk code? It should be a great adventure for you. One or two planes on straight floats from Dryden are going down and I have been considering it. Steve

Hi Steve - yes - I know about getting the "discreet" squawk code just before crossing the border into the US. Depending on altitude and where you cross, sometimes it's not possible to get Minneapolis Centre on radio to get that, but I've never had a problem before when I could not get it.