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Re: Oshkosh warbird extravaganza- comments?

Posted by Tim Savage on Mon Jul 29, 2002 09:35:02 PM

In reply top Re: Oshkosh warbird extravaganza- comments? posted by Dan K on Mon Jul 29, 2002 07:26:27 PM

I flew home from OSH on Friday morning, I only spent three days there. Many of my friends also left before the weekend. Dan is right, I would expect the number of warbirds to decrease in attendance as the years go on.

This year most of the warbirds showed up on Monday and Tuesday to find that originally they were not scheduled to fly until Friday. I suppose EAA heard the grumbling and put up a large flight on Wednesday, with little warning to the warbird pilots on the field, some who missed the briefing and were therefore unable to participate. There is a feeling among the warbird owners that EAA thinks that the warbirds are unnecessary for the sucess of the show. This is certainly reflected in the current fuel remimbursement policies for those who fly in the show.

While EAA Warbirds touts that the numbers have stayed the same, the "quality" of warbirds has certainly gone down. Now we see many airplanes masquerading as warbirds (I saw a 172 painted as a T-41 on the line, it was clearly not a T-41). The number of heavy iron fighters and bombers has definately decreased.

This year, the T-6s and T-28s met at Kenosha and had a blast. I think I flew 11 times in three days. Once I got to OSH, I parked the airplane because it has become so difficult to get in and out. The controllers put you on runways that have significant crosswinds, etc. Yes, you can wait for another runway, but many times it means orbiting at the island for a significant amount of time.

Many of us would rather spend the days that we have available to play airplanes flying. The only reason I currently go to OSH is to see my friends from around the country. Events such as Kenosha, Seymour and a host of others that are sponsored by warbird groups are much more fun and provide for much more flying.

The costs in the area are exobortitant. The OSH community definately has learned how to make money on this event. I have stayed at the same hotel for about ten years. This is a hotel reserved by Warbirds of America and available only to those bringing warbirds. The rate next year will be $150, for a hotel room that normally costs about 60 bucks. It has gone up every year. Previously it was almost impossible to get a room in the two warbird hotels. This year, on Thursday morning I was told that there were many rooms available.

Next year, alternate planes from Kenosha are being formulated in a more centrally located US lcoation, so I don't know if everyone will make the trek to OSH.

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