The Aspiring Pilot

Logbook Pro AirVenture sale and AirVenture Day 3 and 4 highlights

NC Software has announced that in honor of EAA's 2011 AirVenture, they are offering 15% off ANY software or subscription item from today through Sunday night, midnight EST. Logbook Pro is the electronic logbook that I use alongside my paper logbook. I love the software in terms of not only having a backup to my paper logbook, but also because it's SO much easier to sort the flights, run reports and even track currency on various items.  When shopping, please enter Coupon Code 'OSHKOSH11' in the appropriate field when checking out. Visit the store here: NC Software

Also, here are exceprts for my day 3 and 4 write-ups on AirVenture. Please be sure to visit the full articles for the full stories! 

As AirVenture approaches it's midpoint, images of last years 'Sloshkosh' began to replay in visitor's memories. The rain moved in around dawn, continuing on and off during the day and bringing about 1 inch of precipitation to the airfield. There remains a chance of rain through Thursday night and grass parking areas are already being effected by the moisture, with AirVenture staff marking off portions no longer suitable for use. The latest update from EAA staff was that the grass roadways were the most effected by the rain. Thankfully, the area had a dry spell leading up to AirVenture, allowing the soil to soak up much of the rainfall.

 

In news from around AirVenture, following on the footsteps of Tom Poberezny's retirement announcement yesterday, EAA's President and CEO, Rod Hightower, announced an expansion plan for the EAA's Young Eagles program. Beginning in 2012, the program will expand it's reach to include adults and no longer be limited to just kids between the ages of 8 and 17. The adult program will be a spinoff of the Young Eagles. Specific details, and a name, have not yet been released, but it should be popular and possibly become a catalyst to re-ignite interest in general aviation. 

 

Today was also Navy Day at AirVenture and the day started with a special honor flight presented by Southwest Airlines.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Rain moves in for Navy Day, day 3 of AirVenture. - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/rain-moves-for-navy-day-day-3-of-airventure#ixzz1TSqxKeBa

Day 4 highlights:

AirVenture 2011 is now past the halfway point of the world's greatest aviation celebration and what better way to mark the midpoint than to honor two of the greatest aviation legends. The weather held out for most of the day unlike on Wednesday, with rain finally moving in toward the evening and expected to clear out by nightfall. The parking areas were still in good condition, but the grass roadways were muddy but open. The general aviation parking was reported as 90% full with the general aviation parking area at 80%. 

The day focused on Burt Rutan, a legendary designer of aircraft, some of which are more known for how unique they appear than anything else.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Day 4 of AirVenture spent honoring aviation legends - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/day-4-of-airventure-spent-honoring-aviation-legends#ixzz1TSrCAc3j

 

EAA AirVenture day two summary

 

Aside from the airshows, airplanes and forums happening all around AirVenture on the event's second day, the biggest news was probably an EAA announcement made earlier in the day. Tom Poberezny, the chairman of both EAA and AirVenture, along with EAA executives, made the announcement that he will be retiring effective August 1st. Later in the afternoon, 'Fifi', the world's only flying B-29 Superfortress, made it's arrival to AirVenture and quickly became the most popular airplane on AirVenture grounds. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com Fifi arrives as EAA Airventure's second day comes to a close - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/fifi-arrives-as-eaa-airventure-s-second-day-comes-to-a-close#ixzz1THJK24rx

2011 Airventure Day one recap

Missed day 1? Here's my write up of the first day of this years Oshkosh. 

Day one of EAA's 2011 Airventure has drawn to a close with some exciting events in the books, with plenty more in stock the rest of the week. The crowds also continued to swell on the first day, with fly-in areas filling quickly. As of 3:45 pm the General Aviation camping area was 80% full and the General Aviation parking area was 75% full.  

Capping off the day is REO Speedwagon, currently on stage for the sixth annual opening day concert presented by Ford Motor Company. The concert performances will continue with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band on Friday and Aaron Tippen on Saturday. 

Hawker Beechcraft showcased a new upgrade opportunity for Bonanza owners that has come to be nicknamed 'Extreme Makeover: Bonanza Edition.' The actual upgrade is called the Bonanza Extra Tim Glaser, manager of sales/aftermarket development, stated that 'We wanted to offer our current customers more performance, comfort, and safety.'  The upgrades include the same engine found on current production model A36 Bonanzas, the Teledyne Special Edition IO-550 paired with a Hartzell 3-bladed propeller. The new engine, combined with the propeller, provides improved climb and cruise performance while decreasing noise and vibration. The increased in the performance add 150 lbs of usable weight, that can be utilized as carried weight or used to fill the new 20-gallon tip tanks (40 gallon total). For additional modifications and the cost and time of the upgrade, see EAA's article on the Bonanza Extra. 

In addition, some other interesting aircraft that were present were a replica Supermarine Spitfire from the WWII era along with Burt Rutan's 'Boomerang' design aircraft.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Exciting first day of Airventure 2011 draws to a close - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/exciting-first-day-of-airventure-2011-draws-to-a-close#ixzz1TB0d0sRp

 

Unsure about EAA AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh? This should help you decide!

If the North American public debut of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Friday of the show wasn't enough to make you want to attend, just watch this video if you need that extra little push to make your way up to Oshkosh... 

 

 

 

 

Lots of articles to come! Rockford Airfest, Dupage Open House, possibly Airventure!

Well, since I'm not back up in the air Definitely have some great material coming up for amazing articles on here and my examiner columns. I have media credentials for the 2011 Rockford Airfest and will be attending it Sunday (see my prior posts regarding the loss of the Blue Angels). Even without the Blues, there are plenty of static aircraft and other amazing performances scheduled. 

I'm also going to attend the DuPage Open house in July during which the CAF B-29 Superfortress 'Fifi' will be present along with their P-51 Gunfighter. Would love behind the scenes access to those for articles and photos, heck, I can even hope for a media flight! I'll be sure to present everything here for you all! 

Finally, I'm waiting on a response on media credentials for EAA's 2011 Airventure at Oshkosh. If I get them and am able to attend, I'll be there for the last few days, tweeting, blogging and writing examiner articles for those not able to attend!

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Awesome Aviation Geek Groupon, 51% off EAA Airventure Museum!

I'll be hopping in on this deal. Hopefully, along with a visit to 2011 Airventure, I can make two trips out there with the family.  I'll even aim at making the groupon purchased trip via airplane as a daytrip with the kids! 

(excerpt from my Chicago General Aviation Examiner column (see full article for details on the museumas well)) 

Are you interested in aviation and looking for a quick day-trip or mini vacation within a few hours drive of Chicago? Groupon today is featuring an $18 discount off admission for two people to the EAA AirventureMuseum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (KOSH) The Groupon also includes two simulator ride passes as well. This comes to a discount of 51% as normal admission, plus two simulator rides, comes to $37.  (Don't have a groupon account? Sign up HERE.) In addition, admission is also included for EAA's Pioneer Airport. 

The Groupon needed 15 deals bought to become active, and this was easily reached this morning. Currently, 83 of these groupons have been purchased and there is just over 32 hours of time remaining before this opportunity expires.  (Offer expires midnight central time tomorrow, May 17th.) 

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Groupon offering 51% discount for EAA Airventure Museum - Chicago General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-chicago/groupon-offering-51-discount-for-eaa-airventure-museum#ixzz1MYDTtt5K

 

Airventure 2010, great video by EAA Member

Video posted on YouTube by EAA member 'SWIFT.'  This is another amazing video of the 2010 Airventure convention in Oshkosh, Wi.  Great editing, great music ('Kings and Queens' by 30 Seconds to Mars) and great content.   Click on the video to watch it on YouTube and in HiDef as well as access SWIFT's other videos. 

 

Airventure 2010 Video Compilation

Must watch video I found of this years airventure.  I highly recommend watching it in HD if you have the capabilities. 

Feel free to comment, this is very well done, music is good.  Great that he included two quick clips of the first ever night airshow at Airventure. 

 

Airventure 2010 is here!

Well, it's that time of year.  Airventure 2010 is here and opening day is today at Oshkosh, Wi (KOSH) .  Once again, Oshkosh's ATC tower will probably be designated as the busiest control tower in the world over these days as thousands of pilots descend on Oshkosh for the festivities.  As an extremely AVID aviation enthusiast and pilot, I am pretty embarrassed to actually state that I have never been at Airventure. I was hoping to get out there this year, but don't have the vacation time and days off to make the trek up for the event this year.  Hopefully I can plan my time a little better next year and maybe even fly into Airventure and camp on the field.  That would be an amazing week long adventure.

However, this may be the first time I've ever heard of Oshkosh closing to general aviation traffic during the normal arrival period.  The field was inundated with so much rain, they were not able to allow the normal process of landing planes and parking on the grassy areas.  Airventure pilot's were requested to divert to Appleton (KATW) or Fond du Lac (KFLD) and possibly reposition to Oshkosh once the weather and field conditions cooperated.

Still, I'd love nothing more than to be able to head out there and spend the week among fellow aviation enthusiasts and experience on of the largest aviation events in the world.

I may comment on event's and occurrences at Airventure, though I'd much rather be doing it while being there in person.