So me and a bunch of my buds were planning on going to Oshkosh last summer, but most of them backed out due to financial reasons. I was hoping to try and do it again this year (now that we all have a more realistic outlook of the costs of the trip).
I was wondering what the best way to get down to Oshkosh this summer would be, I'd prefer to fly down - I was wondering if anybody here has any advice?
AirVenture 2006: Oshkosh!
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C-150Pilot
- Rank 3
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- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:41 pm
- Location: Canada
Cool. You'll have an amazing time.
We left Ottawa early, fuelled in North Bay, and went on to clear customs at the American Sault. They were really good to us there, and they see tons of Oshkosh-bound aircraft come thru, so they know what it's all about. We then did a fuel stop at one of the many little airports along Lake Michigan (I think it was KMNM)... lots of options down that way. The next leg was right into KOSH, arriving just before they closed the airport for an airshow... it was pretty tight and we were the last aircraft to be let in. The VFR arrival procedure is pretty straight forward, keep your eyes open and be VERY familiar with the NOTAM. (Check out the AirVenture website for this... includes things like turning off your x-ponder, required altitudes, speeds, routings, etc). The AirVenture controllers are amazing - some of the best in the country come out for it... prepare to be wowed. It's also a good idea to be familiar with the airport diagram, as the most chaotic time for us was after we landed!
Another route (not sure where in Ontario you are) is the southern route, which has you crossing Lake Michigan. They have "Lake Watch" or something set up for the Oshkosh-destined aircraft, which apparently is quite neat and if you go in the drink there will (apparently) be someone to haul you out. Again, check out the website for more info... We went the northern route both ways, as the weather dictated.
If I had to do it again, I would have done a fuel stop closer to Oshkosh so I had more reserves (there was a little accident on the runway, a common occurence apparently, so we buzzed around the lake for a good while), and a better idea of flight time to the field so not to risk being turned away due to arriving after the airshow started.
We stayed for 3 nights... ended up being a perfect amount of time to see everything.
Enjoy... you'll have a blast!
We left Ottawa early, fuelled in North Bay, and went on to clear customs at the American Sault. They were really good to us there, and they see tons of Oshkosh-bound aircraft come thru, so they know what it's all about. We then did a fuel stop at one of the many little airports along Lake Michigan (I think it was KMNM)... lots of options down that way. The next leg was right into KOSH, arriving just before they closed the airport for an airshow... it was pretty tight and we were the last aircraft to be let in. The VFR arrival procedure is pretty straight forward, keep your eyes open and be VERY familiar with the NOTAM. (Check out the AirVenture website for this... includes things like turning off your x-ponder, required altitudes, speeds, routings, etc). The AirVenture controllers are amazing - some of the best in the country come out for it... prepare to be wowed. It's also a good idea to be familiar with the airport diagram, as the most chaotic time for us was after we landed!
Another route (not sure where in Ontario you are) is the southern route, which has you crossing Lake Michigan. They have "Lake Watch" or something set up for the Oshkosh-destined aircraft, which apparently is quite neat and if you go in the drink there will (apparently) be someone to haul you out. Again, check out the website for more info... We went the northern route both ways, as the weather dictated.
If I had to do it again, I would have done a fuel stop closer to Oshkosh so I had more reserves (there was a little accident on the runway, a common occurence apparently, so we buzzed around the lake for a good while), and a better idea of flight time to the field so not to risk being turned away due to arriving after the airshow started.
We stayed for 3 nights... ended up being a perfect amount of time to see everything.
Enjoy... you'll have a blast!
Did somebody say Oshkosh?
It's an amazing aviation adventure. Went for the first time in 2003, and went back the following 2 years. I wouldn't recommend flying in for your first visit though. Driving down is very convenient (if you're not too far away) for both camping so you can take more stuff, and to get around when you're there. If you've never seen it before you just won't believe what can be done with air traffic. After being there and studying the arrival/departure flows I felt comfortable about flying there next time.
There is no way you can see everything the show has to offer, even if you spend the whole week there. You just have to pick out the things that are most interesting to you, and maybe hope that some of the other stuff is there again another year.
The weather has usually been hot and dry (bring lots of sunscreen), but also be prepared to get wet. Thunderstorms are common, and last year there was a bit of a tornado that went through the campsite. So tie everything down. It's a relatively inexspensive summer trip. Have fun!
It's an amazing aviation adventure. Went for the first time in 2003, and went back the following 2 years. I wouldn't recommend flying in for your first visit though. Driving down is very convenient (if you're not too far away) for both camping so you can take more stuff, and to get around when you're there. If you've never seen it before you just won't believe what can be done with air traffic. After being there and studying the arrival/departure flows I felt comfortable about flying there next time.
There is no way you can see everything the show has to offer, even if you spend the whole week there. You just have to pick out the things that are most interesting to you, and maybe hope that some of the other stuff is there again another year.
The weather has usually been hot and dry (bring lots of sunscreen), but also be prepared to get wet. Thunderstorms are common, and last year there was a bit of a tornado that went through the campsite. So tie everything down. It's a relatively inexspensive summer trip. Have fun!
We flew to KOSH in 2003, departed Burlington on the 3rd day of the show and the camping at KOSH was full. Try and get there the day before the show starts if you plan to camp onsite. We took the scenic route around Chicage and up the W side of the lake. Watch out for the early afternoon boomers rolling through the area once you get to the West side of lake Michigan. They move through quick, and usually leave good weather behind them. The flight service and flight following are great down there, so use them and they can help you with the storms if need be.
We arrived at dusk and the pattern was closing, and camping reported full anyway so we headed for Fond du Lac (SP?) and pitched a tent under the wing. Wound up staying there for the full 4 days... nice spot. Lots of planes, but not crowded. Restaurant on the field for breakfast, clean showers and no lines. Bus ride to the show was only about 15m and they run every 30m. You can buy some beers at the gas station up the street, and at night most people just move around checking out the planes and have some drinks chatting with the other pilots. Close to town too if you want to go in for a decent meal.
Not the same as landing at KOSH, but still a good experience.
Enjoy the trip, and the show.
We arrived at dusk and the pattern was closing, and camping reported full anyway so we headed for Fond du Lac (SP?) and pitched a tent under the wing. Wound up staying there for the full 4 days... nice spot. Lots of planes, but not crowded. Restaurant on the field for breakfast, clean showers and no lines. Bus ride to the show was only about 15m and they run every 30m. You can buy some beers at the gas station up the street, and at night most people just move around checking out the planes and have some drinks chatting with the other pilots. Close to town too if you want to go in for a decent meal.
Not the same as landing at KOSH, but still a good experience.
Enjoy the trip, and the show.
Why not?Clampers wrote:I wouldn't recommend flying in for your first visit though.
We did the trip with 6 aircraft from the school I was instructing at. Not one of us had been to the show before (although we got a pre-trip briefing from a veteran) and it went off without a hitch. We paired either an instructor or a commercial pilot with the PPLs so they could learn something, and everyone had a blast...
It's not rocket science, and was probably everyone's favourite part of the whole Oshkosh experience.
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Jungle Jim
- Rank 6
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- Joined: Wed May 26, 2004 6:29 pm
I've been looking at also going with a friend this summer with my Stinson. There seems to be two popular routes from Southern Ont. They are via Sault St Marie and via Godrich to Flint. There doesn't seem to be many airports on the US side that have customs. ( based on my latest maps)Does anyone know if they have customs at any other airports for the Oshkosh migration?
Port Huron just across the river from Sarnia is also a good place to clear customs. Thats where I went both times I flew to OSH. I went right across the lake at 8500' just to save time but it looks like a lot of water and you realy start listening to every sound from the engine when you cross! 
DEI = Didn’t Earn It
We cleared customs at an airport a few minutes across the river from Sarnia. (Sorry, the name escapes me... Ill have to check my map)Jungle Jim wrote:I'Does anyone know if they have customs at any other airports for the Oshkosh migration?
There were a few planes clearing there all going to KOSH. Customs people were quick and fairly pleasant. From there we had originally planned to proceed to another airport almost directly across Lake Michigan from KOSH. They have a route and reporting procedure in place for people crossing the lake, but the Wx was marginal so we headed for Michigan City and topped up the tanks before heading around Chicago.
It was an interesting route, but if I go again Ill be heading over at the Sault.
