Warbird Information Exchange

I'm going to my first show at Oshkosh on Thursday.

What do I need to know to have a good experience?

What should I not miss?

What should I avoid?

What time should I get there? I was thinking of leaving Chicago around 5am.

The only requirement really is hang out with Gary at Ol 927, and head to the WIX meeting.

I have about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Marshfield so I usually try to get there no later than 10:00am which is when things usually start to pick up. To see everything at EAA Airventure takes at least several days...especially if you're also into sport aviation, etc.

What do you need to know to have a good experience? Pack a good pair of walking shoes, wear a hat & sunscreen, and drink lots of water. Last year was in the low to mid 90's and it really takes a toll on a person if they're not used to it.

What not to miss? Be sure to visit the EAA museum! It's open to visitors free of charge during the fly-in and many of the aircraft are usually parked outside. I would also suggest visiting the Pioneer Airport which is located in back of the museum. They have some really cool stuff from the golden age of aviation (20's and 30's) including several restored hangers and vintage structures. They usually have a military display located close to the Warbird Cafe which is always interesting.

What to avoid? Nothing really...just have loads of fun!!!!!!

John

Well..... Prepare yourself for information overload.

Depending on which side of Chicago you live on, plan on a 3 to 4 hour drive which will put you there between 8:00 and 9:00am. If you are going this Thursday(tomorow you will have a few days to get acclimated to where some things are at. Depending on how long you are going to be there will have a lot to do with how much you will get to see, and how much time you will have to spend in a certain area, or talke with people.

I would suggest that you get on EAA's website, or go to www.airventure.org there is a ton of info on there to the uninitiated that will be helpfull.

If you are an EAA member, and are planning on Camping I would suggest that you stay right there at Camp Scholler. It is the BEST place to stay. Take a bicycle, Moped, or something similar that will help you get from your campsite to the entrance gates. You cannot take them inside the gate to get around the convention grounds, but they will definitely make life much easier after spending the whole day walking around. At the very least a good pair of walking shoes will get you around. There are many places to fill up with water on site, so take a water bottle to keep you hydrated.

There is something going on all the time, so check schedules and plan your attack as best you can. The North end of the main runway 18/36 is where the main contingent of Warbirds gather, everything from L-birds, observation birds, primary and advanced trainers, fighter, bombers, and everything in between. Some of these will be featured at Aeroshell square as well, but most of them are at the north end. Get there early in the day, as that area will get closed off at about 1:00 to 2:00pm depending on the day so that they can prepare for the afternoon airshow, as the warbirds are in the afternoon airshow daily (except usually one day, Thursday I my memory serves me) I usually will be down there most of the morning and early afternoon, and then make my way back to show center (Aeroshell Square) in time to catch the afternoon airshow.

Take care of yourself throughout the day and if you are going to be there all week, then pace yourself.

Have a great time.

_________________
Regards

Eric Rogers

Good info, thanks! Oh, I'm sure info overload is an understatement!!

It's next Thursday, the 26th, and I can only go for the day. Sucks I know, but that's the only way I can do it. And I know there is no way to do it all in a day.

So the one day I'm there, is the one day Warbirds aren't flying?

Bring lots of film, because it's expensive on site, and as others have mentioned, wear good, comfortable walking shoes and lots of sunscreen. Here is a listing of all the presentations happening on Thursday:

http://www.airventure.org/forums/date.a ... =7/26/2007

I HIGHLY recommend the Warbirds in Review sessions, and of course the gathering at my place at the end of the day.

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Yes Django, the warbirds do not fly a warbird show on Thursday afternoon as that is their "forum" day (type meetings, etc.).

There are plenty of Warbirds to see on the ground and other than the FAA mandated "show line", the warbird area generally does not close (or not close for very long) during the airshow, as it does the other days of the week.

Go to the warbird area early to avoid the crowds, especially if you like to take pictures - the Red Lot is the closest parking lot to the Warbirds.

Aeroshell Square (the area formerly known as West Ramp) is where Gary and some other heavy metal warbirds are located, a 10 to 15 minute fast walk South of the Warbird area.

I volunteer on the Warbird Line Crew. Ask any Line Crew Volunteer (orange hat & white tee shirt with orange letters "Line Crew" or similar) for direction's to Tom's Trailer. I work under the awning most of every day, although I may have time to wander a bit (like over to Gary & Ol'927) that day.

John

Go to the Seaplane Base for a cool break.

Have fun,Phil

All of these are great pointers for you. Everytime you'll get close to the flea market, a P-51 of something will arrive and its a march back to the Warbird area. As you drive into the airport and you top the hill, you will view a "sea" of parked A/C, beware, better let someone else drive for you as it will blow you away. Kinda like when my dawg goes into Petco Have a great time and post some pic's for us, please....

Lynn

Django,
If I were only going for 1 day, I'd get there as early as possible, check out the warbirds and antique/classics and then find a wing to sit under near the runway and just soak it all in for a while.
The warbirds are on the north end of the flight line. After that walk south thru the homebuilt section and AeroShell square. The classic and antiques are by the trees (Theater in the Woods).

I went last year for the week.....would love be there this year to see ol 927, but I'm gonna hit Bonneville with the HAMB folks instead.

Zack, maybe some parking pointers would be helpful. I'm not sure using the Red Lot would be the best option for those who plan to attend the party at your place. Perhaps Brown Lot?

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

The Brown Lot parking is just west of the museum between Poberezny Road and Hwy 41. You can park there (relatively close to my house) and then take the shuttle bus from the museum down to the convention grounds. It's the best place to park if you are planning on coming to the WIX gathering Thursday evening. The bus runs all day and you can hop back on to ride back up to the museum.

I highly suggest hopping on a tram to take you from area to area (Warbirds to Ultralights for instance).

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

When you pay you can join EAA if not already a member. The program wiil have a scedule and and a map. Come EARLY prepared to walk. The warbirds are at the north end of rwy 35, another very interesting part is the ultralights which fly on their own small runway all the way at the south end. There are shuttle trolleys, but each only goes part way so you can walk almost as fast and see hombuilts, acro, classic, and antiques on the way. The Thur show is mostly jets, bring earplugs or go to the Pioneer Airport just to the northwest while they fly. There are rides, Trimotor just southof warbirds, copters at Pioneer, if you get there early enough. Trying to see it in one day is like trying to see the Louvre in one hour, if I had to cut out somethig it would be the Museum which is good but you can't see it all. There are a lot of interesting forums, workshops, flymarket and the seaplane base, but it all takes time. Try to eat lunch before 12 or after 1:30 might save you a line. say hi if you see me.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Well, I've been going since the early 90's and I'd say:

1. First, just go and make the trip, even if you're limited to one day. Much better than not going at all! I've skipped a few years, and ended up regretting it each time.

2. See the warbirds first thing in the morning after you arrive. It may be that they are not closed off all afternoon, but in my experience they can be closed off at any time during the afternoon for various intervals. I've been chased out of there many times in the PM, so I finally quit fighting it and go in the morning.

3. If you like helicopters, go to the Pioneer airport and take one of the Bell 47 rides. Lines can be long in the afternoon, however.

4. If your time is limited, I'd suggest skipping the museum and saving that for another visit to Oshkosh. It's well worth the price of admission by itself.

5. Unless you know the area around the airport really well, you'll probably just end up parking in whatever lot you're directed into.

While I would generally agree about skipping the museum and visiting it at another time, be sure to check out the presentations going on at the museum and see if there are any that interest you:

http://www.airventure.org/forums/Location.asp?Loc=87

http://www.airventure.org/forums/Location.asp?Loc=98

http://www.airventure.org/forums/Location.asp?Loc=90

We're also openning a new interactive space exhibit and of course the museum is the only place in the world where you can see how SpaceShipOne (not a warbird I know) feathers in 1:1 scale.

If you are bringing kids along, you'll definitely want to take them to the KidVenture area, located at Pioneer Field this year (just north of the museum).

Oh yeah, feel free to stop by the Timeless Voices tent in the Warbirds area and rest your feet for a while...

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

On second thought, beg borrow or really try to stay more tahn one day at OSH. About 3 gives you a chance to see so much more. Sometimes there are some interisting flights at FLD also.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK