There are many reasons people chose to build an airplane. Sometimes, it’s the challenge of the project, or an attempt to reduce the cost of flying. Other times it’s to build a dream machine to handle what would otherwise be a less-than-enjoyable commute. Greg Marlow from Kingsport, Tenn., falls into the last category. He is […]
AirVenture
The world needs more Bob Hoovers
By MATT FERRARI This summer at Oshkosh, I was walking along with my daughter Kate, listening to her explain the layout of the AirVenture grounds along with the “have to dos” and the “must sees” to her cousin Nate, who was a first-timer at Oshkosh. The heat that day was almost overwhelming and I was […]
beyerdynamic headset quiets ride home
“Do you have a headset?” Ivy McIver asked after I said “Yes,” to the offer to fly home with her from AirVenture in a Cirrus SR22T. “Uh, no, but I’ll get one.” As luck would have it, my wanderings around AirVenture took me into Hangar C, where I found beyerdynamic. I explained the opportunity of […]
Jus’ Buzzng Round
Spotted while walking through the vintage aircraft area at this summer’s Oshkosh was a 1947 Navion sporting military colors. Why wasn’t it parked in the Warbird area? Because owner Robert Gaines of Nashville wanted to park close to his friends. During a quick chat at the show, he noted that the Navion’s previous owner get […]
My last day at Oshkosh
By KATE FERRARI As the rush of fear set upon me, I froze. The propeller was so close, whirring around at an unbelievable pace. I could feel the rush of wind it was emitting, coasting over my neck. “Katie, come on!” My whole body jolted into action as I snapped back into reality. I ran […]
NORAD pilots go on GA charm offensive
Three pilots from North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the U.S. and Canadian military organization charged with intercepting aircraft that violate TFRs, attended this year’s AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh to talk face-to-face with general aviation pilots on how to avoid TFRs and what to do if they’re intercepted. According to a report at AirTrafficManagement.net, general […]
Letter: KidVenture, 7-year-old key to getting AirVenture juices flowing again
Last week I wrote, “A suggestion for keeping the magic of AirVenture alive.” I’ve received a handful of emails thanking me for the post, some of which offered personal experiences. A few I’m still following up on, but following is what I received from Bill Middlebrook, president of Penn Yan Aero and longtime friend. Suffice it to […]
A suggestion for keeping the magic of AirVenture alive
AirVenture is a magical place. I didn’t attend in 2011 and couldn’t wait to attend this year. After all was said and done, I wasn’t disappointed. By the numbers, AirVenture is huge. Official numbers from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) shows: 2,489 showplane registrations, including 200 Piper Cubs to celebrate the venerable aircraft’s 75th anniversary; […]
Oshkosh changes bring a bit of sadness
One of the highlights of my summers is a trip to Oshkosh, Wis., for the annual AirVenture show. The best parts of the show are seeing what is new and catching up with old friends. Since I have been going to this show for about 30 years, I have noted a lot of changes. I […]