Well Oshkosh 2003 is in the books for us; got home this weekend. Except for a brief bit of rain Wednesday afternoon and late Thursday, the weather was good as well.

Our forum host flew spectacularly as always (even in a stiff wind on Wednesday). Thanks Patty for my yearly adrenaline rush!

We spent time resting in the IAC booth (visiting friends we don't get to see often) and Cessna Piots Assoc guest area when not hiking around. The kids as usual enjoyed "Kid Adventure", building rockets and gliders and flying "U-Control" planes.

New in the EAA Museum is Leo Loudenslager's "Shark", the plane he was developing when he was killed in a motorcycle accident in I believe 1997. It has an articulated tail and a larger rudder that deflects more than usual (something like the 3D setup in RC planes). While its great to see the plane completed and in the museum its a shame it will never fly; looks like it would have been awesome!!

Jim Franklin (jet powered WACO), Jim Leroy, Les Shockley (Shock Wave jet truck) and Bobby Younkin put on an interesting team display.

As always there were many planes to dream and lust after.

Lots of fun, but also good to be back home as well.

Dave Hamblin
(formerly DaveH on old site!)

• RE: Oshkosh 2003....,Ben_Chiu, 19:58z, 08-05-03
  • RE: Oshkosh 2003....,DHamblin, 11:37z, 08-06-03
    • RE: Oshkosh 2003....,Ben_Chiu, 17:52z, 08-07-03
• RE: Oshkosh 2003....,Patty_Wagstaff, 01:56z, 08-08-03
  • RE: Oshkosh 2003....,petrajoyce, 01:07z, 08-11-03
    • RE: Oshkosh 2003....,DHamblin, 13:18z, 08-11-03
  • RE: Oshkosh 2003....,DHamblin, 13:19z, 08-11-03

Welcome home, Dave!

I was wondering about attendance this year. Did the crowds seem larger, smaller, or about the same as you've seen before?

Did you get to fly the Wright Flyer simulator?

One of these days I'll make it there myself.

Thanks!

Ben

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Crowds seemed good (but not "too" crowded). I didn't fly the simulator but my son's did. Michael, the oldest did well until he got it rolled a bit too far (it won't recover if you get to much bank). He is also the smallest of my two sons and had to let go of the elevator to get his body slid over to stop the roll and stalled.

Kevin (who is also taller etc) flew it about 3-5 minutes or so, better than most childern or adults. Since I had read about the 1903's (lack of) flying quality I told both to stay low, avoid much of any turns and be real soft on the elevator.

I am building a 1/5 scale T-34 Mentor and found a nice subject to pattern it after (as you can imagine I had a wide range of subjects to choose from).

One thing that always amazes me is how many directions the "stars" like Patty are being pulled in all the time (unlike normal airshows, there about everyone recognizes her when out and about) yet they are always gracious and then pull it all together for the show. The day I got to help as we were waiting for her turn to fly there was a steady stream of photographers, videographers, and people walking up to her. This didn't stop till the canopy was shut and she taxied off. She graciously accomodated all.

At least I can walk about without being hounded.

You need to try and make it at least once. My CFI friend/partner and our A&P partner flew the C150 up this year; if all goes well it will be my turn to fly it up next year (nope, haven't flown in before; just drove).

We have to work out the logistics of getting my wife and kids up though. I suggested we pool resources and rent a Cessna Caravan .

Dave Hamblin
(formerly DaveH on old site!)

Greetings Dave:

> Crowds seemed good (but not "too" crowded).

Has it been like that before, or has there been times it's been too crowded or not crowded? I'm trying to gauge interest in aviation by crowd sizes attending these events.

> I didn't fly the simulator
> but my son's did. Michael, the oldest did well until he got it rolled a
> bit too far (it won't recover if you get to much bank). He is also the
> smallest of my two sons and had to let go of the elevator to get his
> body slid over to stop the roll and stalled.

Doh! But it sounds like he was on top of the roll, literally!

> Kevin (who is also taller etc) flew it about 3-5 minutes or so, better
> than most childern or adults. Since I had read about the 1903's (lack
> of) flying quality I told both to stay low, avoid much of any turns and
> be real soft on the elevator.

Sounds like good advice, and probably pretty close to the pilot briefings/aircraft checkouts given to the first pilots flying the real one!

I've been flying the Wright Flyer in the latest version of Flight Simulator, although I don't believe they can or have claimed the flight model as being "accurate," their roll modeling (longitudinal axis) displays negative static stability (it continues to roll once initiated), which I would think coincides with the anhedral wing design.

I wonder if the sensitive elevator could be attributed to a rearward C.G. (although in this case it may be a forward C.G. since the elevator is in the front of the airplane)? I've read the articles about the WF in Flying, AOPA Pilot, etc. and I find it very interesting how the Brothers did things and try to imagine what I would have done in their position.

> I am building a 1/5 scale T-34 Mentor and found a nice subject to
> pattern it after (as you can imagine I had a wide range of subjects to
> choose from).

I bet! Please send us a picture when you have it finished. I'm always in awe of the some of folks that bring scale aircraft of Patty's Extra to airs hows to have it photographed alongside the real one and Patty. Definitely works of love, and in some cases, it looks like works of obsession!

> One thing that always amazes me is how many directions the "stars" like
> Patty are being pulled in all the time (unlike normal airshows, there
> about everyone recognizes her when out and about) yet they are always
> gracious and then pull it all together for the show. The day I got to
> help as we were waiting for her turn to fly there was a steady stream of
> photographers, videographers, and people walking up to her. This didn't
> stop till the canopy was shut and she taxied off. She graciously
> accomodated all.

I guess that's what separates the pros from the rest of 'em.

> At least I can walk about without being hounded.

LOL! And the rest of us.

> You need to try and make it at least once.

It's on my to-do list.

> My CFI friend/partner and our
> A&P partner flew the C150 up this year; if all goes well it will be my
> turn to fly it up next year (nope, haven't flown in before; just drove).
>
> We have to work out the logistics of getting my wife and kids up though.
> I suggested we pool resources and rent a Cessna Caravan .

There ya go!

Ben

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Registered to: Ben Chiu
-OLR.PL v1.80-

Hi Dave et al

I just posted a newsletter entry about Oshkosh. I thought it was a fabulous airshow...great weather, a little rain, but that's good for the sinuses! It was a great, well run and upbeat show & I was really honored to be there. Hope everyone had fun...

Patty

Hello Patty and hello eveyone. yes I am new on this site, but not new to those who have been to Oshkosh. I have been going every 2 years since 1989.
I am veiwing this web site and I think this is GREAT!
Sorry Patty that I was not there this year to come by and say hi. Maybe I will see at one of the fall shows near Maryland. I will be working with my CAP guys at Fedrick MD next weekend. Sounds like you had a good time at Oshkosh.
Although I am not a pilot. I do have alot of time in the airplane with Civil Air Patrol. I do get to fly the airplane though.
Dave, I have flown up to Oshkosh in bad weather. I met up with a friend who has a Cessna Caravan in Kansas. It handled the weather great but as for anyone who flys up it can be nerve racking experience, or if you are just like I am in those situations "Patient"it can very interesting. One can say "yeah I have flown into Oshkosh!" I hope to do it again! Petra Joyce

Last year (not this year) I have an ATC friend (who retired this year) that worked most recent Oshkosh's. That time he invited us out to Fisk (arrival point) to watch the goings on from their prospective.

Most pilots did know what was going on and had obviously read the NOTAM, but a large number obviously had not. In the several hours I was there I saw some real bone-headed stunts pulled. That was the year two spun in on arrival.

I left thinking "there's no way I will fly in to here!". Since then I've changed my mind but will pick a slower time.

Dave Hamblin
(formerly DaveH on old site!)

By the way, Bill Brun's said to tell you hello; I forgot to pass that along last week.

Dave Hamblin
(formerly DaveH on old site!)