Debrief OSH22, prebrief OSH23

A few decades ago my Dad and I flew our Baron from Washington to Florida for SUN ’n FUN. Two years in a row, on short final at KLAL ATC instructed us to go-around. Amazingly, both times, the aircraft immediately in front of us failed to heed ATC instructions to sidestep to the parallel runway (taxiway, actually).

At the time, I felt — and still feel — I could’ve sidestepped to 10L, and completed a safe landing. Nonetheless, I went around as instructed.

In short, when flying into any fly-in, but especially SUN ‘n FUN and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, be prepared for anything.

Tom Turner’s Aug. 11 Flying Lessons newsletter (you really should subscribe if you don’t already) recaps his preparations for his flight to this year’s OSH and his experience that proves pilots should be prepared for anything.

“I spent about two hours with the EAA AirVenture 2022 Notice Thursday night. First, I read it completely through as an overview. Then skipping over the parts I did not plan to use (Fond du Lac information, IFR procedures, ultralight, turbine, warbird, helicopter, and seaplane base instructions) and deferring the departure procedures until after the show, I began a more thorough study.”

Suffice it to say, Tom was prepared. And yet…

“The intruder was 200 feet above me, descending, and coming in fast on a direct collision course. At one mile it was 100 feet above me, descending, and headed directly toward the center of the screen (i.e., me). Time to bail.”

Thankfully, Tom arrived safely. But he had his head on a swivel (both inside and outside the cockpit) and had a plan.

A recent story, The challenges of flying in to AirVenture, by Bill Bond in General Aviation News relays a similar tale. However, he didn’t end up landing at AirVenture.

While maneuvering to right downwind for Runway 27, OSH tower suddenly announced, “Oshkosh airport is closed. No further guidance is available.”

“The closure required that 60 nautical miles of airplanes flying single file at 1,800 feet toward Oshkosh abruptly abandon their arrival procedures. Without a clearance to land or additional clarification, dozens of aviators were suddenly on their own for a safe outcome.”

While I understand what Bill means, I’d say that dozens of aviators were already on their own for a safe outcome.

Anyway, Bill landed safely, at Appleton International Airport (KATW), about 30 miles away from Oshkosh.

Like most things in life, any given activity is heavily influenced by one’s perspectives. The comments on Bills’s story are, to me, interesting.

DC says: “I have been attending and camping in the North 40 since 1983. My first trip was with 75 hours in my logbook and the ink still wet on a fresh certificate. The secret to landing at Oshkosh is to have plenty of fuel, focus on following the guy in front of you and listen to the controllers. Have a backup plan. It is really no big deal. If you’re a new-be, you might want to practice spot landings.”

Mac disagrees. “If it takes 32 pages to explain how to get into any place, I will find something else to do.”

Rick D sides with Mac: “Agreed. I find nothing appealing about flying in close proximity to dozens upon dozens of other aircraft of questionable performance piloted by those with questionable capabilities under temporary special rules designated by a book full of procedures. Seems like this is as much about ego as it is contrary to just about everything I’ve ever learned in 30 years (and thousands of hours) about safe flying.”

Flying into AirVenture ain’t for everyone. 

But if you fall in the “someday” category, I suggest you read Tom’s OSH22 pre-brief (mentioned above) and then mark your calendar for mid-July next year to participate in SimVenture by PilotEdge.

If flying into AirVenture seems like a fun challenge, there is no time like the present to debrief OSH22 flights and to prebrief for OSH23. By the time you read this, there’ll be less than 11 months left before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 kicks off.