I'm planning to go to Oshkosh this year. First time going, and The plan is to fly the 170. I've watched a few YouTube videos and searched what I can online. Looks like it's super important to study the notams and understand the procedures for getting in and out. That's the extent of what I know. I have a few questions about Osh:

1. Do you have to buy "tickets" for the show and camping before hand? Or can you just show up pay there?
2. Sounds like camping is the way to go? I'm planning on bringing camping gear for the rest of the trip anyway so that's not a problem.
3. Are any days of the week better than others?

Here is my Oshkosh packing list:
Weather resistant tent
Extra rain fly
Camping chairs
Parachord
Tie downs
Backup jump starter
Cooler
Yeti koozie
Poncho


I'm planning to make more of a trip than just going to Oshkosh. Right now I'm thinking of flying to Oshkosh from Kentucky. Spending a few nights there and then flying to whatever cool destinations I can manage for the next 5 days or so. I know very little about the states and where it would be good to fly and camp. Looking for something remote with some sweet scenery. So...

Iowa? Minnesota? Dokatas? Where would you go?


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You do not have to purchase tickets in advance of OSH. Show up, march down to the ticket booth, and pay the fees. Simple.

In my opinion, camping IS the only way to go. You miss a lot if you're staying off the site, frankly, like the evening programs at the Theater in the Woods.

As to what days are best, there's lots going on pretty much every day of the week. The night airshow is now twice, earlier in the week and Saturday, I believe. Look at the schedule: https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-a ... -of-events and try to decide from there.

Be advised, however, that many folks get to OSH a few days early (I try to get there on Saturday before the show starts if at all possible) to get a good camp site. Much later than mid day Saturday and you'll wind up waaaaay far south in the Vintage Camping area.

That said, folks leave throughout the week also, so arriving on say, Wednesday of the show, may work out fine, as you fill in behind someone who's left. Somewhat of a crap shoot, there, but......

The arrival procedures are straightforward. As you say, just read the NOTAM carefully....the portion that applies to you. Then, when you get close, start looking for traffic, and follow the instructions of the controllers. There's really not that much to it.

Bring a good tent (It almost surely will rain via thunderstorm sometime during the week, so a good rain tent is essential), clothing appropriate to blistering sun (including sun screen) and cool and rain. Comfortable shoes are essential. A good cooler....they sell ice from Gators that circulate daily.

Most of all, Have a blast!

MTV

Also bring good tie down anchors, the good ones, not the screw in tips. I like "Fly-Ty's" I use 2 complete sets, ya a bit more weight to haul around but I feel better.

Have fun!

Airplaneflyer wrote:I'm planning to make more of a trip than just going to Oshkosh. Right now I'm thinking of flying to Oshkosh from Kentucky. Spending a few nights there and then flying to whatever cool destinations I can manage for the next 5 days or so. I know very little about the states and where it would be good to fly and camp. Looking for something remote with some sweet scenery. So...

North Fox Island.

mtv wrote:You do not have to purchase tickets in advance of OSH. Show up, march down to the ticket booth, and pay the fees. Simple.

In my opinion, camping IS the only way to go. You miss a lot if you're staying off the site, frankly, like the evening programs at the Theater in the Woods.

As to what days are best, there's lots going on pretty much every day of the week. The night airshow is now twice, earlier in the week and Saturday, I believe. Look at the schedule: https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-a ... -of-events and try to decide from there.

Be advised, however, that many folks get to OSH a few days early (I try to get there on Saturday before the show starts if at all possible) to get a good camp site. Much later than mid day Saturday and you'll wind up waaaaay far south in the Vintage Camping area.

That said, folks leave throughout the week also, so arriving on say, Wednesday of the show, may work out fine, as you fill in behind someone who's left. Somewhat of a crap shoot, there, but......

The arrival procedures are straightforward. As you say, just read the NOTAM carefully....the portion that applies to you. Then, when you get close, start looking for traffic, and follow the instructions of the controllers. There's really not that much to it.

Bring a good tent (It almost surely will rain via thunderstorm sometime during the week, so a good rain tent is essential), clothing appropriate to blistering sun (including sun screen) and cool and rain. Comfortable shoes are essential. A good cooler....they sell ice from Gators that circulate daily.

Most of all, Have a blast!

MTV

Man...

That's an awesome reply! Thanks for the advice

I think I should make a list for all my stuff on here and update it as I go. What do you all think?


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rw2 wrote:

Airplaneflyer wrote:I'm planning to make more of a trip than just going to Oshkosh. Right now I'm thinking of flying to Oshkosh from Kentucky. Spending a few nights there and then flying to whatever cool destinations I can manage for the next 5 days or so. I know very little about the states and where it would be good to fly and camp. Looking for something remote with some sweet scenery. So...

North Fox Island.

North fox island looks AWESOME. How does one go about getting permission to fly in there? And I'm assuming life vests are a must?

Might do that on the way in to Osh.


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Something I've noticed in this year's NOTAM is that there will be more closings of the airport than just the afternoon airshows. This year in addition to the typical 2:30 to 6:30 closures, there are airshows scheduled for Wednesday from 8-10, Friday from 10-11, Saturday from 8-10, and Sunday from 1-4:30, and the airport is closed. The airport closes at night, too, at 8 p.m. CDT. So it does take some timing planning.

Honestly, the hardest part of flying into OSH is the anticipation. The actual doing isn't hard at all. Practice in advance maintaining the required airspeed and altitude, and practice some spot landings. Easy peasy.

Cary

I regret that I didn't go years ago. Its one of the easiest airports to fly into. You never say a word and the controllers are fantastic. Don't worry about getting in or out. It is so easy. I camp every year and its a blast. Enjoy the nearby restaurants by foot and breakfast at the nearby hotel. Pm me and I will be happy to talk to you by phone and answer any questions you have. Your going to love it

The airport on North Fox Island is owned by the State of Michigan and operated by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF). The RAF has a lease from the State and keeps it maintained and open for use. Make sure to read the RAF briefing on operating to this airport, there is no cell phone coverage on the island and if you have a problem it may be a little while before someone shows up. Flight following from Flight Service is available in the form of "lake watch" and it is prudent to let someone know where you are going and when to expect you to check in on your return. I also hope to make it to North Fox Island this summer. The RAF is also working to open the strip at the mouth of the Two Hearted River on Lake Superior in the upper peninsula of MIchigan. They have the lease in place but the strip need a little work. Thank you RAF.

Tim

ps: I made a donation for the Two Hearted project but was not going to join the RAF, the very pleasant and helpful person I was talking to on the phone said it was important to join (free, though I am sure they would welcome donations) as when they are talking to various governmental agencies which have control over these strips it is helpful to point out that they represent to quote her "8000 pilots" who would like to see this type of airport open for use.

Thanks for all the replies! Definitely very helpful.

Does anyone have any advice on which states are better for touring around?




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I've never roamed around Wisconsin much by air, but Minnesota has many really friendly airports and people. Worth poking around some, for sure.

MTV

Thanks for all the replies! Definitely very helpful.

Does anyone have any advice on which states are better for touring around?




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Airplaneflyer wrote:North fox island looks AWESOME. How does one go about getting permission to fly in there? And I'm assuming life vests are a must?

Might do that on the way in to Osh.

I hereby give you permission.

Ok, seriously, thanks to http://theraf.org/ (of which many here are members) it's been restored to being a public airport. No permission necessary. Just leave it better than you found it since the whole thing has been built on the back of cash donations and volunteer labor.

Look into washington island. It's also a fantastic camping destination.

You should fly into oshkosh and camp. But next on your bucket list is to do the fly in at New Holstein (a few miles away east over the lake). i can only take a day of being locked into oshkosh madness before I want to start flying. With NH as a base, you can fly in and park for the day - then get out before dark when the shows close. Camping at New Holstein is WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better - and the supercub.org guys usually have awesome catering situation set up. Must register - but it's cool. Also you can spend a couple of days at OSH then move over to NH and do the tours/fly-outs.

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthread.php?52117-Countdown-To-2017-New-Holstein-Supercub-org-Fly-In

rw2 wrote:

Airplaneflyer wrote:North fox island looks AWESOME. How does one go about getting permission to fly in there? And I'm assuming life vests are a must?

Might do that on the way in to Osh.

I hereby give you permission.

Ok, seriously, thanks to http://theraf.org/ (of which many here are members) it's been restored to being a public airport. No permission necessary. Just leave it better than you found it since the whole thing has been built on the back of cash donations and volunteer labor.

Perfect thanks!


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soyAnarchisto wrote:Look into washington island. It's also a fantastic camping destination.

You should fly into oshkosh and camp. But next on your bucket list is to do the fly in at New Holstein (a few miles away east over the lake). i can only take a day of being locked into oshkosh madness before I want to start flying. With NH as a base, you can fly in and park for the day - then get out before dark when the shows close. Camping at New Holstein is WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better - and the supercub.org guys usually have awesome catering situation set up. Must register - but it's cool. Also you can spend a couple of days at OSH then move over to NH and do the tours/fly-outs.

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthread.php?52117-Countdown-To-2017-New-Holstein-Supercub-org-Fly-In

That is awesome! Definitely thinking I'll stop in there.

So right now my plan tentatively looks something like this.




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soyAnarchisto wrote:Look into washington island. It's also a fantastic camping destination.

You should fly into oshkosh and camp. But next on your bucket list is to do the fly in at New Holstein (a few miles away east over the lake). i can only take a day of being locked into oshkosh madness before I want to start flying. With NH as a base, you can fly in and park for the day - then get out before dark when the shows close. Camping at New Holstein is WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better - and the supercub.org guys usually have awesome catering situation set up. Must register - but it's cool. Also you can spend a couple of days at OSH then move over to NH and do the tours/fly-outs.

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthread.php?52117-Countdown-To-2017-New-Holstein-Supercub-org-Fly-In

To each his own, I reckon. The New Holstein deal is undoubtedly fun, but to me, I'd go to one or the other. Why have a fly in right across the lake from the biggest fly in in the world? There is so much to see and do at OSH that you can't possibly see it all in the whole week, let alone a day or two.

I get the not much flying thing at OSH, but I don't go to these things to fly, I go to see people and stuff.

But again, whatever winds your watch, and we're all free to go our way. Just don't underestimate how much there is to see at OSH.

MTV

mtv wrote:

soyAnarchisto wrote:Look into washington island. It's also a fantastic camping destination.

You should fly into oshkosh and camp. But next on your bucket list is to do the fly in at New Holstein (a few miles away east over the lake). i can only take a day of being locked into oshkosh madness before I want to start flying. With NH as a base, you can fly in and park for the day - then get out before dark when the shows close. Camping at New Holstein is WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better - and the supercub.org guys usually have awesome catering situation set up. Must register - but it's cool. Also you can spend a couple of days at OSH then move over to NH and do the tours/fly-outs.

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthread.php?52117-Countdown-To-2017-New-Holstein-Supercub-org-Fly-In

To each his own, I reckon. The New Holstein deal is undoubtedly fun, but to me, I'd go to one or the other. Why have a fly in right across the lake from the biggest fly in in the world? There is so much to see and do at OSH that you can't possibly see it all in the whole week, let alone a day or two.

I get the not much flying thing at OSH, but I don't go to these things to fly, I go to see people and stuff.

But again, whatever winds your watch, and we're all free to go our way. Just don't underestimate how much there is to see at OSH.

MTV

I spend the whole week at OSH, and I have yet to run out of things to do or get even slightly bored.

Leaving after the daily airshow means missing the evening programs to see at OSH, as well as various other evening adventures:

*I attend an annual party on Tuesday that I wouldn't miss--see friends there each year that I wouldn't otherwise even know.

*Then there's the Seaplane Pilots corn roast, which has been fun each time I've gone, which goes into the evening.

*The "fly in theater" movies are often worth seeing--this year it'll be Flying the Feathered Edge (Sunday); Sully (Tuesday); 30 Seconds Over Tokyo (Wednesday); Mission Impossible (Thursday); Hidden Figures (Friday); Strategic Air Command (Saturday); I've seen all of them except the Mission Impossible "episode"--not a Tom Cruise fan--and they're worth it.

*The night airshows on Wednesday and Saturday are great! How they do those things in the dark is beyond me, but watching them is a treat--so different from watching a daytime airshow.

In the daytime, besides the daily airshows and vendors etc., there is the Museum, which is fabulous--and a little different each year--worth a day easily. There's the Pioneer Airport, well worth seeing for the antique airplanes. There's the Seaplane Base, which is an idyllic respite from the hubbub of OSH.

And then there's one of my favorite pastimes, sitting at the flight line each morning, coffee in hand, watching people screw up their landings!

But as Mike says, whatever works, winds your watch, floats your boat. There's something for everyone (unless you just don't like aviation )

Cary

Oh I totally agree - go in there once and camp on site for at least a few days. You need to know for yourself whether it's for you or not. Oshkosh is not just a fly-in. It's a convention - in the worlds biggest sense of the word. Yes, there's a ton to see. But, quite a bit of it is the same every year.

Each time I've been to OSH I feel like I'm locked in and can't go anywhere once you are there and you've dumped your gear. They are all weird about not serving/selling alcohol. You gotta walk outside the gate to the pop-up bars. And you don't get to camp next to your friends unless you do a group arrival. And it's so damn big you need a bike to get around and they aren't allowed. My biggest thing about it is not being able to fly out and come back to your camp site - it's such a big production to get in and out of that place. About 2-3 days is all I can take. After 1 day of talking about planes, I want to go FLY!

New Holstein is great. They have a grass strip w/ a STOL comp with flour bombing that you can actually participate in instead of just watching. And the fly-outs to other locations are awesome - things you don't normally get access to like private strips. And you can can camp on NICE grass - and go out and back to your camp site. Feel like tooling around the pattern at sunset? It's okay, NBD. The showers are right there and you don't have to hike 6 miles to get to them or anything else you need outside of the gates. And it's much more quiet. And did I mention the food is catered and actually GOOD instead of eating like you are at a carnival.

I go to meet friends too. Seems like our type of people are all over at New Holstein. At OSH you have to worry about that mooney driver ramming it up your backside cause he hasn't flown more than 5 hours in the last year and can't hit a dot the size of a barn.

One more uber-secret tip. NORDO arrival to OSH. It's the shit. But you probably should have a j3 so you don't get the stinkeye.

New Holstein is the weekend leading up to Osh this year. Leave Sunday and then go direct Osh.

Big Low and Slow crew leaving the Monday prior to Osh from the west.

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