While many of the volunteers that make AirVenture happen have been here for two weeks and hardly consider Friday before the show “early,” arrivals have now begun for those who like to get here before the crowds. The best time to fly the FISKE approach? Before Saturday morning, of course. On Friday, it’s easy to find a slot before you get to RIPON (for us, at noon, there was no one else around), the approach controllers are friendly and asking where each airplane is from, and there’s no trouble taxiing to the spot you want – everything is open!
Homebuilt Camping is open for business, and the big tent is a great place to relax and tell stories – since vendors aren’t yet here, the atmosphere is that of a weekend fly-in, and you can take the time to relax with friends, old and new. Thursday saw some storms come through the area, but today the skies are blue and sunny, with a few scattered cumulus and almost no wind. Bring your sunscreen, and lather it one – it’s too early in the week to get burned.
Airports all across the country are abuzz with AirVenture fever this week. “You headed to Oshkosh ?” Is the standard greeting, no matter if you are in the Midwest or a thousand miles away. We made fuel stops in Ely (Nevada), Rawlins (Wyoming), and somewhere small in eastern Nebraska yesterday, and everyone was friendly, with fuels discounts for the week and food out for the transients. AirVenture isn’t just in Wisconsin – it’s nationwide!
Watch for our reports all week from the busiest airport in the world.
