October 2012
Having had the luxury of flying up in my friend’s Archer, my experience to Oshkosh started off amazingly. Henry Graeber, Greg Kelsoe and I piled into Henry’s Archer and we were off to Waupaca (KPCZ). I’ve been a student pilot for almost three years, but that’s another story.
We arrived early in Waupaca, Wis. for the Piper Flyer Association Gathering so I was able to meet—and immediately connected with—the association’s great members and staff.
It was an excellent event. The hotel and meeting rooms were very nice, and the weekend’s outstanding presentations made me all the more excited to get my Oshkosh camping experience in full swing. Kent and Jennifer, the founders of the association, were able to help me find a ride to the grounds a few days early to ensure I would have a great site for my tent.
When I arrived at the AirVenture campgrounds I was directed to a suitable area by one of the many volunteers who told me that any area not taped off was fair game. Great! I found a great spot by a tree and started to set up my tent, but after a closer look at my new site I found an animal carcass… but no tape.
After setting the animal carcass aside and double-checking for tape as well as bugs, I was good to go! Telling this little story back with the Piper Flyer folks earned me the nickname “Tom of the Woods.” In hindsight, I could have left out the part about the carcass.
I arrived for my full-on tent experience a few days later and immediately met my neighbors. I was very rushed as I wanted to get all my gear in the tent and secure some basic supplies—but my new friend was very chatty. I paused for just long enough to realize that in my first five minutes I had already learned something great: THIS was Oshkosh, fellow pilots hanging out and chatting.
So after slowing down a great deal and enjoying the conversation, I settled in for a great week. I was happy to have had this lesson knocked into my head on day one.
Another attendee offered a ride to Wal-Mart to get supplies; she was a huge help and turned out to be an A&P starting her own business. We also needed to rent some bikes, then off to find the Coffin Guy we went. (I found out about Chuck Swain, the Coffin Guy, on the EAA forums—a great resource for new attendees to AirVenture. If you are unfamiliar, you’ve got to meet Chuck and hear his story; he goes through 900 pounds of ice during the week just to keep the beer cold.)
I had my schedule packed all week with various forums; it was one of my main reasons for attending. I thought that Jason Schappert, Rod Machado, and the FAA Pavilion provided fantastic learning opportunities. I was also very struck with the willingness of all the speakers to continue the dialogue with the audience long after their presentation.
I was attending these presentations alone, but it never felt that way. I was amazed at just how many conversations started with a simple, “So, what do you fly?” I would rate the AirVenture forum experience as excellent and fully subscribe to Schappert’s signature line, “a good pilot is always learning.”
I learned from the vendors as well; multiple trips to the various Redbird flight simulators were not only fun but made me wonder why they don’t have these fantastic learning machines on every corner.
Of course, I did plenty of drooling at the Piper display as well. Early one morning before the trade show officially opened, I had a great conversation with Piper’s chief pilot about the new Matrix. What a bird! As a student pilot I felt reassured with the advice he provided, and the opportunity to hang out in the cockpit for a few minutes was inspiring to say the least.
“Inspiring” was a word I used a lot that week and the airshows and aircraft everywhere added to the overall experience. The night airshow was fantastic, as it was something I had never seen prior to Oshkosh. The daytime airshows with spectacular lineups and talented performers made every day complete. The performers, in particular, gave me a whole new reason to really dig deep and complete my certificate.
The whole size and scope of EAA AirVenture is something to behold. Every evening, I would send photos home in order to keep my family and little ones engaged as if they were there; perhaps next year they will be.
I really was amazed at the spirit of the event. Half a million in attendance and the grounds were as clean on the last day as as it was on the first. People were leaving their personal belongings behind at the campsites all over the place, never to be concerned.
Plus, the willingness of everyone who was there to be the event and not just attend…the countless volunteers who offered their assistance before being asked… the pilots willing to share opinions, advice and great stories over a beer with someone they had just met. It’s all of these little things that make Oshkosh the big event it is.
Upon returning home and retelling the stories of all those I had met to anyone that would listen, I found myself very committed to my private pilot training.
In short order, I successfully passed my checkride on Aug.24, 2012. I’m happy to report that for my next trip to Oshkosh, I’ll return as a pilot.
Sometimes a little inspiration goes a long way. That’s the power of Oshkosh.
Tom Sarach Jr. (“Tom of the Woods”) is a newly-minted private pilot based in Virginia. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
