Oshkosh TFR Announced

The TSA has proclaimed a 30nm Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) centered over Wittman Field at Oshkosh (WI), for the last two weeks of July, and the first week of August. No aerial activities whatsoever will be permitted in that area, below FL 300.

The rationale was explained by Richard Johnson, the TSA's top communicator: "We saw a crucial need to protect all those people and all those aircraft, from all those people and all those aircraft, so we invoked our unbridled powers to protect all those people and all those aircraft on the ground."

When it was pointed out that "all those people, and all those aircraft" wouldn't be there in the first place, if there were no flying, he replied simply, "problem solved"

Let me tell you my story about flying into Oshkosk last year.

First, there is no radio communication allowed from you. Yup, that fits in with my training and experience. Spent more effort trying NOT to touch the radio button!

Then there are two flight levels on the same track going in. It was real pleasant having faster folks roaring just over you. Since I have a high wing you don't have a chance of seeing them comming.

Then there is the turn to base. Now that is not beyond the end of the runway, it is not even the end of the runway, it is a big blue dot ON the runway!

Of course, just when I think I am doing fine the guy on the radio is going crazy about some idiot in a twin trying to do a staight in from the lake. So he is telling me to tighten up my turn (normal), tighten up my turn (45d), tighten up my turn! (60d), tighten up my turn (where is my wingtip again and what is my airspeed?)

So just as I am 10 ft off the deck the guy on the radio says land on the pink dot. Like I can see that! My brother is leaning over against the door telling me to keep going (more power - hold 10 ft!) keep going (gads!). Okay, we are there (plop plop - fix, fiz!)

Radio guy say make an immediate right turn!

Thank God for STOL!

But it was okay. I had 45 minutes (no lie!) of taxing to calm my nerves down before we got to the camping area.

But it was fun!

Ha ha...yeah, reminds me of 3 years ago when I took a Supercub in there. They had all the tailwheels landing 27 (the designated warbird runway) because the winds were like 270 at 17 - 20 and they did not want to take the chance on tailwheel mishaps. Needless to say the controller asked me to make a tight pattern and land second dot...I forgot the color. Immediately following my clearance he clears a Spitfire to land on the dot behind me. You can see where this is going...slight difference in landing speeds.

Needless to say at about 5 - 10 foot off the deck I hear the Spit pilot say "this is not going to work, I am going to eat him up" followed by the controllers panicky voice "SUPERCUB GO AROUND...GO AROUND...EXECUTE IMMEDIATE GO AROUND WITH CLIMBIMG RIGHT TURN" Good thing I had planned for that one...had a feeling it would not work as he had envisioned. He basically had me spin a 360 at 200 foot AGL right over Basler and land again on my second dot while the Spitfire landed underneath and behind me during my climbing right turn.

No accident or injuries and good times were had by all...the controller probably had to clean out his BVD's, but I doubt he will ever clear a Supercub to land simultaneously in front of a fighter again.

BTW- I can relate to the long taxi...after the above mentioned landing I was directed to park on the second to last row on the far south west end of 18.

I will be there again this year...wouldn't miss it.

Spitfire - Super Cub - Hey! What's the difference! They are both tailwheels that land in grass aren't they?

So with the TFR this year, if you guys just land at the nearest alternate airport that's more than 15 nm away and taxi down the highway, it really won't take any longer, and it won't bust the TFR either

I'm going this year and am really excited. I'm a OSH virgin. Lowflybye we should trade mobile numbers so we can meet in person. I'll PM you.

Anybody else going?

Cheers...Rob

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10491/ttd_osh.pdf

This is my route to OSH. Does anybody have suggestions for stops along this route. Need to over night around BWP. 38s DIK are gas/pee stops. If you know of better places in the general area I would welcome ideas.

Thanks...Rob

...that "two tracks" going in reminds me of a time I flew up with a buddy in his C180. We had spent the previous night at a Star Duster camp close by.

That next morning it was rainy and foggy. We hit the railroad tracks at maybe 400 AGL. It went down from there, but the good thing was we didn't see any other traffic.

The spotter guy on the ground called on the radio: " black 180, rock your wings". My buddy was tense sitting up real straight tring to see. He did not hear that call. A few seconds later, the guy on the ground called back: "black 180, if I was that close to the ground, I would not rock my wings either"!

...oh man, the good times up there!
John

Hey Guys,
My first year this year but I will be flying my Stinson down from NY. One question.....what happens to OSH if conditions turn to IFR ? I am rated just curious if they still have all the craziness with bad weather. But I will be probably coming in from Wed-Sat. Stinson N6890M Brown and White. Look forward to meeting some other BCPers.


Mike

electric,

They have IFR procedures as well. NOBODY should go there without FIRST downloading and STUDYING the NOTAM.....which can be found here: http://www.airventure.org/2008/flying/

PLEASE read it carefully before you approach RIPON.. .

It is a blast, and I'll be there.

MTV

Anybody that is going to OSH PM me your tail number and mobile phone number if you want. I'll do the same back. I like to meet others from our forum. Maybe we can meet for a hand shake.

Cheers...Rob

I think I am going to the super cub fly-in at New Holstein instead. Anyone else going over there? John

patrol guy wrote:I think I am going to the super cub fly-in at New Holstein instead. Anyone else going over there? John

You're not going to OSH?!?! That's too bad...I'll be talking about you there (in a nice way, of course).

Diana, I forgot. What day is your talk?

patrol guy wrote:I think I am going to the super cub fly-in at New Holstein instead. Anyone else going over there? John

I usually head over there on Wednesday evening for the big pig roast, but I will not be getting up there till Wednesday this year so I won't make it over to New Holstein. It is not very far from OSH so it is very feasible to fly over for the day and if you don't mind the air traffic to do so.

patrol guy wrote:Diana, I forgot. What day is your talk?

John, it's on Thursday. There will likely be a lot of Citabria forum people at the presentation.

...ah, sounds like the place to be if I want to "air out" my differences with a few of them? maybe I'll see you then, John

patrol guy wrote:...ah, sounds like the place to be if I want to "air out" my differences with a few of them?

The only differences that I recall is the fact that you are taller than most of them and I'm shorter than most of them.

Hi pals, I'll be in OSH IN 4 HOURS. Ha great day yesterday. My personal longest day. 9.5 hours TTD TO AXN.

Cheers... Rob

Rob,

I have the direct feed to the tower I will be listening. Had several yesterday they had to remind to put the gear down.
Dont forget GUMP,
buy the way when you nail the yellow dot you get a award he he.

Wish I was there................