Jeff you're an excellent writer and re-awakened my love of aviation.- Not
hing to add except see you in the skies;
-
Paul Boulet, N914PB, Tri gear 914 XS-with 25 hours flown off (of 40 requi
red) and undergoing annual inspection
Malibu, CA
--- On Sun, 8/3/08, JEFF ROBERTS <jeff@rmmm.net> wrote:
From: JEFF ROBERTS <jeff@rmmm.net>
Subject: Europa-List: Oshkosh, Europa & People
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008, 2:13 PM
I hope this doesn't bore too many of you but a personal experience that
was close to the feeling of my first flight is just too good to not
share.
I wasn't planning on going but last Monday the weather between
Nashville and KOSH was perfect. My wife could see that I was itching to
go so even though she was afraid for me to fly into Oshkosh, she gave
me her green light. I had friends that drove up and were camping, so a
tent and some personal things were all I needed stuffed into Gold Rush
and I was off!
I had a fantastic time flying over the farm lands and new windmills of
the midwest are beautiful at 3500. I had no problem flying into the
busy whitman field, but I must report that I cheated a bit going in. I
flew into Dodge county just 25 mils south of Whitman, pitched my tent
and waited for an early and hopefully slower traffic arrival. A great
evening and some new friends were found there. My decision was spot on
as you say. I found it very easy to get in line at Ripen the next
morning as the traffic was light. The weather was perfect and they
we're using a straight into approach to runway 9. In fact it was easier
than flying into some of the Saturday breakfasts around here.
Approaching KOSH from the air on a crisp morning, seeing a thousand
planes and campers on the ground with the lake in the background was
the most beautiful sight these eyes have seen in years. I'm happy to
report I can now scratch flying my homebuilt to Oshkosh off my bucket
list. To some that do it every year I'm sure it's not a big deal but to
me it was the next best thing to ___! I may even do it again next year
if the weather agrees. I got to talk to other Europa builders and
enjoyed every minute of it! On the way back I needed to make two
diversions because of weather. One of these stops caused 10 other Air
venture planes to drop down into Rockford IL. Even that turned into
something special. Two total strangers... one flying a 152 and the
other a Rans headed for Georgia became instant friends. I had to spend
the night but by the next day we I had two new, crazy aviation buddies!
I don't use the term crazy lightly on these guys. ;o) On my second
(forced by low ceilings) stop in Madison KY I had a great experience
with a slow FBO that gave me a car to go eat lunch and to wait for
things to improve.
There is nothing special in this posting except this. Aviation has
given me more experiences and better friends than anything else I've
ever done. The EAA and the show at KOSH are great but it's the quality
of people that it attracts that make it special. Wether it be there,
Sun-N-Fun or any other aviation event that I may visit in the future. I
don't believe I will need to second guess my decision to NOT install
locks on N128LJ. Happy flying to you all, and remember it's the people
that make what we do so special.
Regards,
Jeff R.
A258 - N128LJ / Gold Rush 140 hours and climbing.
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