Oshkosh clinic went great

The Oshkosh clinic went very well. We did have a late start and at least one pilot not make it due to weather. Friday night the fog was forecast to lift by 6 a.m. It didn't actually lift until about 9:30.

While flying the 27 approach, the ceiling was significantly lower over Lake Winnebago. I was IMC at MDA, then broke out just before the MAP. Dropped in full flaps and landed way down the runway. Within an hour it was 9 miles and SKC.

Dick L arrived just before it cleared and Jim M had diverted to Madison. He flew in when we called and let him know it was now VMC.

After our late start, we had a great ground session in the Batten Board Room. I don't think you could have a better meeting room for an aviation meeting. There was a model (about 1/8 scale) of a Pitts in the center of the table which we actually used during the presentation and the windows looked out on Pioneer airport.

After the ground presentation, we had a break, then briefed the practice session. On the way back to the Weeks hangar, we picked up Subway and ate while discussing sight lines and distances. With only three aircraft, we conducted our practice as flight of three. The exercise during our briefing of figuring out how to make the lead changes safely was also a good learning event. (We had chalk 3 take over lead, then the new chalk 3 cross under from Echelon left to a V formation.)

Despite our late start, by combining lunch with the ramp portion, and only having to conduct one practice flight, we were able to have everyone on the way home by 5:00.

Our hosts from EAA and Basler were excellent. The Kermit Weeks hangar was just as interesting as the museum itself (at least for pilots). The hangar is the EAA maintenance facility. They had the P-51 from the museum in the hangar, the EAA photo ship (an early model 210 with the small passenger door in the rear removed for photo taking), the Bleiriot XI replica EAA is building (http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-01-21_bleriot.asp), and various Trimotor and B-17 engines and spare parts, and several other aircraft. Basler graciously shuttled us between the hangar and EAA plus had some of the most inexpensive fuel around.

If there is interest and we can work out a date, I am open to hosting a second clinic. Looking at my schedule for the rest of the summer, it would have to be in Waukesha. If anyone else is interested, please send C2O a message (https://www.cessnas2oshkosh.com/contact2010.aspx).

Important Announcement: We Will Not Have A Training Clinic In Juneau This Year

We urge each and every pilot planning to fly the mass arrival in July to register and participate in a training clinic as soon as possible. Make plans to attend the clinic nearest you and meet the training requirement to fly the arrival now. Do not wait until the last day.