Live Reports from Oshkosh AirVenture 2007

Below is a reprint of six daily emails sent to over 10,000 OTA readers direct from Wittman Field during AirVenture 2007:

Day 1 - Monday, July 23, 2007

Over the Airwaves readers . . . Greetings from the Oshkosh Flight Line

For many of you, this will be a new, first-time OTA service.  I am reporting live
from Oshkosh AirVenture '07.  Through this medium, I hope to share with you
the sense of excitement aviators from all over the world are experiencing here
at AirVenture, 07.

The crowds appear larger than ever, due likely to spectacular weather. 
Sunshine, mid '80s, low humidity, light breezes, and lots of planned new
general aviation announcements.

Cirrus Design, for example, just unveiled its latest prototype aircraft.  It is a
supersonic, vertical takeoff, transatlantic (in 3.2 hours), four-seat aircraft
that promises to redefine the term, very light jet (VLJ)! 

That's how Cirrus head Alan Klapmeir captured the crowd's attention this
morning at 1430Z.  He then pulled the cover off of the REAL version of their
latest addition to the GA fleet.  It is an FK14 Polaris.  This is a two seat,
scaled down version of the SR20 that is expected to meet the requirements of
the new Light Sport Aircraft program.  "It's only shortcoming right now, says
Klapmeir, is that we can't get it to go slow enough to meet the LSA rules. But
we'll "dirty" it up a bit to qualify," adds Klapmeir! 

I also attended a briefing conducted by Jim Pyles, the FAA's head guru
overseeing the new WINGs Pilot Proficiency Program.  Curiously, the large FAA
building (air conditioned) lecture facility was less than 50% full.  This room is
typically reserved for standing room only crowds eager to hear new
announcements.  Hmmmm . . . could this be a predictor of GA pilots' interest in
learning about this new program?

Anyway, it appears that the FAA is committed to see this program through to
full implementation and is prepared to wait years for it to happen.  It is
apparent that this new WINGs program is targeted to Internet/computer users
only.  "If you can't use a computer, you can't participate in the WINGs
program," said Pyle.  Further, Pyles made no apologies for the small print and
what many critics of the program have called a non-user friendly web page
design. 

As for our own travels to AirVenture, we departed from our home base in
Akron, NY at about 8:30AM.  My Cessna T-210 rolled onto the runway at its
maximum certified gross weight of 4,000lbs with me and four passengers. 
They included my 17 year old daughter, Erica, (who has been coming with me
to Oshkosh every year since age 9), her 17 year old friend, Blake, Gene
Maloney (84 year old WWII aviator), and my young co-pilot (and future airline
pilot), 20 year old Aaron Conley of Akron, NY. 

With light winds from the north, we departed on Akron's 3,000' Runway 7 and
cleared the trees with each of us lifting our feet on my command!  We climbed
on a westerly direction to our IFR filed altitude of 10,000.'  The visibility was
unlimited and we could see forever in all directions.  The air was rock smooth.

A quick poll of my crew and passengers suggested that a potty stop would be
appreciated while over central Michigan.  I called for a destination change and
landed at a small GA airport near Flint, MI. 

We were back in the air within 20 minutes after landing and climbed back into
the cool air above, this time to 12,000' for our Lake Michigan crossing.  Again,
the visibility was so clear that we never lost sight of either shoreline as we
made this 70 mile wide crossing.

Our descent and approach into Oshkosh's Wittman Field was never simpler. 
ATC put us on a right downwind for Runway 9, switched us to tower, and we
landed on the "white dot" as instructed by the tower.  We made a quick taxi
to Basler Aviation, the FBO serving Wittman Field.  A call to one of our EAA
Chapter 46 camping partners (and OTA photographer) Jim Cavanaugh brought
immediate transportation to Camp Scholler where about 80 of my closest
friends and I would be spending this week under tents.

We spent Saturday and Sunday getting set up and watching the pre-show
excitement and renewing lots of acquaintances.  Lots of time was spend under
our big circus tent sipping cool drinks ("what goes on at Oshkosh, stays at
Oshkosh") and lots of barbequed delicacies. 

Today is Monday.  I'm getting ready to meet daughter Erica and friends over
at Friar Tuck's, an off-field popular restaurant for lunch.  After that, it will be
back to the hundreds of exhibits, then back to the campsite to get ready for
the Beach Boys concert out on Aeroshell Square.

So this is it for today.  It's a quick, unedited message to OTA readers.  Please
forgive any typos, grammar, and spelling issues.  There is simply too much to
do and so very little time.  You'll be hearing from me, again, tomorrow and
each day until we return home on Friday.
 

Day 2 - Tuesday, July 24

Greetings from Oshkosh AirVenture  '07 - the land where flying dreams are
made and hopes are realized! 

Excitement continues to build as the international aviation community comes
together for an annual single week of celebration.  Nearly every airplane
manufacturer in the world is here to boast their latest achievements and their
respective visions for the future.

Eclipse Aviation, for example, unveiled a proof-of-concept single engine, four
place turbofan powered jet with a maximum takeoff weight of just 4,800
pounds and an impressive payload of 2,000 pounds.  With its engine mounted
atop between its V-tail empennage, it looks remarkable similar to the Cirrus jet
("The Jet") unveiled earlier this month.  It's called the Eclipse Concept Jet.

With this kind of competition building, pricing for personal jets is likely to
remain very close to the $1 million level . . . which is within an arm's length of
the cost of a new decked-out Columbia 400 or  Cirrus SR22.  Could the
traditional propeller be coming obsolete for the serious over-the-road GA
pilot???

On the other end of the general aviation airplane scale, Cessna made it very
clear that they will be players in the LSA (light sport aviation) game.  They're
here taking orders on their new Cessna 162, two seat, high wing light sport
aircraft. Priced just north of $110,000, their sales book is already fat with new
orders.

As for AirVenture '07 itself, this has been the best year for me ever.  The
weather continues to be comfortably warm, with cool evenings and no hint of
rain.  We awoke this morning to partly cloudy skies and light breezes through
the camp grounds.  Our Buffalo contingent is rapidly approaching 80 people,
arriving by plane, car, motor home, and ferry (yes) ferry boat across Lake
Michigan. 

Among the many items of good news, there have been no reported aviation
accidents.  Everybody is paying attention as they should be.  Much of the
credit goes, of course, to ATC.  They've streamlined the arrival procedures so
that incoming flow of aircraft is being handled in orderly fashion without delay.

The only problem for most of us is budgeting our time.  An estimated 20,000 of
us sat and listened to the Beach Boys last evening, while the remainder took a
last walk along the couple mile long flight line while sipping lemon-aide.  As for
me, I found a comfortable chair under our big green and white circus tent in
the camp grounds and sipped a cool one (may two) while our barbecued
chicken dinner was being prepared over an open charcoal pit.

The remainder of my evening was spent watching our well-behaved teenagers
playing frizbee and other good-natured frolicking on the ground while we gray-
haired types boasted of past flying adventures better left forgotten. 
Strangely, the stories grew more incredible as the evening turned into night.

Today is Tuesday.  I caught an early morning forum workshop titled something
like, "What to do when the engine quits."  That proved to be too much realism
too early in the morning for me.   One of our daily afternoon highlights is the
EAA Museum.  There's enough aviation history contained in this air-
conditioned structure to keep us busy for a week. 

And if that is not enough excitement for you, the overhead daily afternoon
airshow with ear-popping full afterburner takeoffs provides for a suitable
alternative activity.  If that doesn't light your aviation fire, your wood is wet!

So there you have it.  Another brief missive from the center of aviation.  If
you haven't experienced it yet . . . put it on your life's "must do" list.  Life is
short, don't waste it!

And remember, go to http://overtheairwaves.com to view the lastest OTA
issue.  From there, you can get to all of the past issues.  Be sure to pass
along that link to your aviation friends!

Day 3 - Wednesday, July 25

Greetings from the International Center of Aviation, Oshkosh, WI!

This is Day 3 (hump day) of one full week of aeronautical exhilaration
unparalleled by any other single aviation event worldwide. If the observed
attendance along the flight line and in aircraft parking is any indication, there
is NO recession in general aviation.  The future is looking good!

The weather remains one of the remarkable aspects of this year's AirVenture. 
No hint of rain despite the cooling effect of broken skies.  Temps continue to
range in the mid-80s and relatively low humidity.  Lots of shade trees, forum
tents, and exhibit hangars make for a comfortable show thus far this week.

I spent part of yesterday morning taking advantage of the presence of both
Jeppessen and Bose.  Jeppessen is upgrading the data base of any handheld
GPS for just $30.  I dropped my Garmin 296 off there for its latest upgrade. 
This is the place where the manufacturer of every aviation product is standing
by to make good on their promises.  Have a technical question about your
particular airplane model or component?  All of the experts are right here.

Also, Bose answered my call for a major overhaul of my Bose X headset. 
Nearly 1,000 hours of use this past year took its toll on the ear cushions and
wiring.  The fact that somebody sat on this headset and left it in two pieces
made the need for repair even more compelling.  Bose graciously took it in and
promised a total overnight overhaul, including a new carrying bag for the sum
total charge of zip!  That's right . . . . no charge, and this headset is over 6
years old.

Daily forum talks on every conceivable aviation topic are one of the highlights
of AirVenture.  This morning I took in Mike Busch's talk titled "TBO and
Beyond."  Sessions like this more than offset the week's costs at Oshkosh with
the value of new found knowledge.  In this particular talk, we all received tips
on how to add at least 500 hours to the average engine's TBO . . . even for
Part 135 operators.

Last night, Garmin 1000 guru and author, Max Trescott, stopped by for a visit
at the campsite.  He dropped of a complimentary copy of his recently released
CDRom on the G1000 and the WAAS upgrade.    Google "Max Trescott" for
ordering information.

My good friend Todd Krawczak, a Jeppessen project manager told me that
their latest electronic flight board (EFB) containing all of the approach plates
now requires no paper plate back up in the airplane.  This satisfies a long-
standing roadblock in the utilization of this new cockpit technology.

On a sad note, we just learned a high time pilot with many speed records
crashed and burned in a horrid accident while attempting to set a speed
record from Switzerland to Oshkosh.  Unfortunately, such accidents seem to
occur every year, either to or from Oshkosh.  Be careful out there, guys!

Our evening activities vary from day to day.  Last night, for example, a large
contingent from our Buffalo, NY group walked over to the outdoor theater to
hear a brief talk by a retired U.S. Navy wing commander on the F-14 Tomcat
and the making of the Hollywood movie Top Gun.  They then rolled the movie
on the huge outdoor screen with boom box speakers.  It was all quite dramatic.

Tonight, Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh will
introduce the 1957 film, "The Spirit of St Louis."  It, too, will be shown on the
big screen.

I'll be doing another podcast for the Aero-News Network (ANN) this week
about my experiences flying into Wittman Field here at Oshkosh.  It will be
posted on their website on Monday, July 31, 2007.  I will also be posting it on
the next upcoming OTA issue which, unfortunately, will be delayed one week
due to my presence here.

So there you have it.  Another rambling live report from AirVenture 2007.  If
you cannot be here, my hope is that I have been able to give you just a
glimps of what this magnificent event is all about.

And if you are reading this here on the grounds, please stop by and say hello.
You can find me in Camp Scholler, Lindbergh and 56th Street any evening
around 5pm.  Look for the big green and white party tent.  Sorry, all 60 OTA t-
shirts I promised visitors were exhausted on the first day!

Lastly, don't forget to click on http://overtheairwaves.com for the latest issue
of Over the Airwaves.  And please be sure to forward this message to all of
those aviator friends of yours who did not make it to Oshkosh this year.

Day 4 - Thursday, July 26

Greetings . . . live from Oshkosh AirVenture 2007!!!

It's Day 4 here at Oshkosh . . . . Thursday, 1810Z and the excitement
continues to build.  The Marion Blakey, FAA Administrator (until September
13th) was here to address a standing room crown on the "Future of Aviation."

As expected, the news is all good.   Sharing the platform with the heads of
each FAA HQ department, Blakey pointed to the FAA's number 1 future
concern, which brought joy to this aviator.  It is SAFETY! 

From there, she told us that ADS-B will soon be going nationwide.  A contract
will be let to the lowest bidder on August 30 of this year to implement the
ADS-B program nationwide.  Pilots will have until the year 2020 to equip their
airplanes with this truly magnificent technology (watch upcoming OTA issues
for more information about ADS-B).

Naturally, the subject of user fees was addressed.  Blakey reiterrated the
FAA's strong support of user fees.  A less than receptive crowed listened
politely as she ran down the party line.  Questioners from the audience quickly
reminded her about the "camel's nose in the tent door," citing the Australian
experience where promised minimal user fees eventually expanded to charging
landing fees for every paved and grass runways in Australia.  If user fees gets
a foothold, we will all be seeing an ever-escalating cost of flying.

Tom Poberezny, EAA president, held his ground saying that "GA will win this
war."  Curiously, Blakey and Poperezny, who normally travel together while on
the AirVenture grounds, left in separate vehicles.  Could the fight be getting
nasty??

One of the great things about AirVenture is the opportunity for us mere
mortals to go face-to-face with top FAA officials.  I took this opportunity to
question the Administrator on the matter of privatization of FAA functions.  I
used the Lockheed-Martin FSS takeover debacle as an example.  Could the
privatization of the ADS-B program and the new WINGs program suffer the
same flight safety hits?  She spoke frankly on the LM problem noting that
the "FAA has been all over Lockheed-Martin on this problem."

She added that the FAA is prepared to monitor these privatization efforts
closely.

Speaking of the new WINGs program, I cornered Bryan Neville, one of the
FAA's WINGs program managers, and made it very clear that unless changes
are made, this program will fail.  Rather than becoming defensive, he
graciously acknowledged the presence of "issues" with the way the new
WINGs program is designed.

He further noted that changes in the webpage design are also underway,
beginning with removal of the tiny font size used to guide readers through the
process.  He said that the actual web page was designed by a 24 year old
computer geek with perfect 20/20 vision! 

One of the best forum talks this year was given by famed aviator, Dick Rutan
(remember the record-breaking single engine flight around the world with Dick
Rutan and Jenna Yeager?)  He spoke on his experiences flying an F-4 over
Vietnam at about the same time I was there. 

He told a standing room only crowd about a strange carving he could see from
the air that had been cut into the pavement of a highway.  It was written in
Vietnamese.  He returned and took a photograph of the lettering with the
intent of having it translated when back on the ground.

Here is what large pavement carving said, "We will win this war because you
Americans will eventually tire and go home!"  The audience replied by standing
to their feet with applause.  A powerful political statement had just been
made! 

I did take about 45 minutes out of my morning schedule today to meet with
Aero-News Net's podcast commentator, Paul Plack.  We recorded many of my
Oshkosh experiences for posting on the ANN website on Monday. 

As for today's logistics, a line of thunderstorms forming the leading edge of a
cold front passed through this morning.  Following a brief period of rain, the
temperature dropped to the comfortable mid-70s.  More t-storms are
expected tonight (what would Oshkosh be without tent-bending t-storms,
wind, and rain for at least one day of the week?).

I've begun some preliminary flight planning for our return trip to Buffalo
tomorrow.  So far the weather is looking questionable.  [Jo - if you're reading
this at home or in your office . . . don't worry, no chances will be taken!]

Sadly, it appears that we're coming to the end of our one week stay here at
AirVenture.  All of our expectations where met, we didn't spend too much
money, we can still button our shorts, and nobody got hurt.  Life is, indeed,
good.

Depending upon my departure time tomorrow, this may be my final live
reporting to you via email.  I will post one final message from home this
weekend summing up our departure and return flight to Akron, NY.

Thanks for your continued reading of these reports from the front.  And
thanks to the many of you who replied to these emails with your notes of
appreciation.  Hopefully, I touched a button or two in your imagination. 
Remember, life is short . . . don't waste it.

Again, this Sunday's OTA will be delayed one week.  In the meantime, log on
to http://overtheairwaves.com for the current Over the Airwaves issue along
with links to all past issues.

Day 5 - Friday, July 27

Greetings OTA Readers:

I am reporting live from the EAA AirVenture '07 press tent in what was not
expected to be Day 5, Day 6, and possibly Day 7 for me.  Proving the old
adage that no good thing lasts for ever, we encountered our first logistical
setback when the voltage regulator on my T-210 elected to toast itself.  This
comes following a night of steady rain that penetrated our tent and managed
to soak portions of my sleeping bag.  More on all of this personal stuff a bit
further in this message.

Anyway, another major announcement coming from the "Meet the
Administrator" briefing with FAA chief, Marion Blakey.  She reported that the
Washington, DC ADIZ, effective August 30, will be reduced in size by some
1,500 square miles.  This will free 33 GA airports from the burdensome flight
restrictions associated with the ADIZ.  The shape of the ADIZ will also change
from the mind-boggling shape of Micky Mouse's head to a simple circle.  This,
too, will make navigating around this area a bit simpler.

One interesting note . . . the F-22 Raptor was making several low level, high
speed passes near the forum area just as Ms. Blakey's key staff were
introducing themselves.  The enormous roar made hearing these introductions
difficult.  Some members of the audience held their ears as the forum building
seemed shake with engine roar.

One of the FAA staff members took the microphone just after the Raptor had
passed, and said, "That was not the sound of just an airplane.  It was the
sound of freedom!"  We all agreed in unison.

Moving from the forum area over to the press tent, I was fortunate to catch a
briefing by Hollywood personality and avid GA pilot, Morgan Freeman.  He was
sharing his lifelong love of aviation and how he is able to incorporate personal
flying in his work.  I had an opportunity to go one-on-one with Mr. Freeman on
several items of mutual interest.

I then walked over to the flight line with my mentoree and future airline pilot,
Aaron.  We managed to wiggle our way into the VIP observation area to view
the afternoon's airshow.  Aaron was selected, along with about 12 other
young people, to go onto the runway to "catch" the American flag as it
floated to the ground beneath one of the parachute demonstration team
members.

As mentioned above, the weather took a decided turn for the worse as a slow
moving cold front, bringing steady rain, crossed over the airport.  The warm
pavement coupled with cool water produced a period of oppressive, energy
draining steam.  This lasted for several hours, then the cool air associated
with the front turned the area into spring-like conditions.  Then the rains
came again throughout the night, which took their toll on our leaking tents.

Back to the personal logistical stuff . . .

Our intent was to depart this morning.  Arriving at my aircraft around 11am
this morning, we loaded our gear, contacted Clearance Delivery and waited for
instructions to start our engine.  The instruction came in about 20 minutes. 

We then fired up.  That's when the glowing red annunciator light on my panel
suggested that this flight was not likely to take place.  The red light
suggested problems in the airplane's electrical charging system.  My first
thought was a failed alternator or possibly a failed voltage regulator. 

I contacted Bassler Aviation, who promptly put me in touch with one of their
roving aircraft mechanics who had traveling around the grounds while helping
other airplanes with various mechanical ailments.  It took less than one hour
for our requested help to arrive.  Two young and very personable mechanics
quickly diagnosed the problem, got on their cell phone, and ordered the
necessary replacement parts, which are to arrive tomorrow morning
(Saturday) before 10am.

If all works as planned, we should be winging our way back to Buffalo by
tomorrow before noon.  My earnest hope is that this works out as planned so
that my wife, Jo, and I can attend the wedding ceremony tomorrow afternoon
and evening of my good friend and pilot, Mark Croce (we're doing the best we
can, Mark!).

In summary, despite the weather and airplane mechanical programs, we're
making the best of our unplanned extended stay.  Tonight, for example, former
astronaut, James Lovell, will be with us to introduce tonight's outdoor
film, "Apollo 13."  He promises to distinguish fact from Hollywood fiction
relating to this dramatic portrayal of flight of Apollo 13.

Again, many thanks to those of you who have sent via e-mail their
appreciation for these live reports from the front.  I wish I had time to reply to
each and everyone of them, but access to Internet time is somewhat limited
here on the grounds.

Lastly, please click on http://overtheairwaves.com to view the current OTA
issue.  Please forward this email on to your aviation enthusiast friends so that
they, too, might take advantage of the many safety messages published
every two weeks in OTA.

You should be receiving just one more email message from me regarding
AirVenture '07 as I report on our departure (hopeful) and flight back to our
home base in Akron, NY.

One more thing . . . if you are reading this from hear at Oshkosh, please stop
by and say hello.  I'll be back camping in Camp Scholler, Lindbergh Avenue and
36th Street (not 56th Street as I reported in error yesterday).  Or give me a
call on my cell phone for directions (716-864-8100).

Day 6 and 7 - Sunday, July 29

Good morning, OTA readers:

It's Sunday morning, July 29th.  I am reporting once again about Oshkosh, but
this time from my home office back in Buffalo, NY. 

The airplane is back in its hangar, my four passengers are presumably resting
peacefully in their respective quarters. I arrived home in time yesterday
evening to pick up Jo and make the wedding reception of my good friend and
ace aviator, Mark Croce and his new bride, Jessica.

Sadly, the excitement and fun of the past week was interrupted shortly after I
dispatched my live report to you this past Friday.  Two P-51 Mustangs collided
as they attempted a formation landing as part of their airshow routine. 

Despite being witnessed by thousands of spectators, the precise cause of this
tragic accident remains a mystery.  One aircraft simply overtook the other
close to the ground and struck its empennage.  The lead plane came to a
nose-over rest on the runway and the pilot walked away with minor injuries. 
The second plane rolled over and burst into flames.  That pilot did not survive.

Friday, July 27th was my final night at Oshkosh.  It was highlighted by a
presentation from Captain Jim Lovell, the commander of the infamous Apollo 13
flight into space, who introduced that evening's movie of the same name.  The
presence of a full moon that evening added incredible realism as we listened to
Jim explain what that troubled mission to the moon was really like. 

Following the movie, my party and I returned to the campsite, checked on the
activities of our teenagers, then retired for the night.

I awoke the next morning anticipating that a replacement alternator and
voltage regulator would arrive before noon as promised by UPS.  It did.  The
crack Baseler FBO mechanices got the parts installed without delay.  I
gathered up my four passengers, completed the pre-flight inspection, fired-up,
and quickly got in line for our departure back to Buffalo, NY.

Departing Wittman Field at AirVenture's week's end is like a walk in the park. 
One first decides whether to depart VFR or IFR.  For IFR departures, like me,
the first step is to secure an IFR reservation number up to 72 hours in
advance of your proposed departure time from the FAA either by computer or
by telephone.  The next step is to obtain a complete FSS briefing by telephone
(or self-brief using DUATS), followed by the filing of an IFR flight plan.

With those steps completed, we simply climb into the airplane and radio
Clearance Delivery to pick up our clearance, followed by a call to Oshkosh
Ground Control for taxi clearance.  That's when we join the conga line of
departing aircraft all making their way to the active runway.  VFR departures
work pretty much the same way with the exception of filing a flight plan.

Pink shirted ATC controllers separate the taxiing aircraft by observing either
the IFR or VFR signs we display out our windscreen.  Large signs adjacent to
the active runway instruct pilots to switch to the tower frequency.

The final takeoff clearance is issued either by the tower or by ATC controllers
on the ground using flags (much like aircraft carrier departures), depending
upon the traffic volume at the moment.

I taxied into position on Runway 27.  The tower gave me my squawk code,
departure frequency, and initial climb and heading instructions.  Upon reaching
3,000' and two miles west of the field, I was told to contact Chicago Center. 

My T-210, again packed to its maximum gross take off weight, lumbered slowly
higher and higher. 

Lifting off from Oshkosh is always filled with mixed emotions.  Turning left on
course, we could see the thousands of people and airplanes still on the ground
at Wittman Field. 

What was viewed this past week as large beyond imagination suddenly became
small.   We'll miss the many friends we often see only at Oshkosh for another
year.  The reality of the world back home suddenly begins to take shape.

Reaching 5,000', I was cleared direct to the Buffalo VOR as filed.  At about the
same time, I joined up with my good friend, Dan Maloney, who was flying his
RV-4 back to Akron, NY at the same time.  He tucked his pretty red and black
two-seat ship under my wing in classic military-type formation style flying.     

Together, Dan and I climbed eastward, quickly reaching the western shoreline
of Lake Michigan at our filed cruise altitude of 11,000'.   The skies were
spectacularly clear, again as in our arrival here last week.  We viewed both
shorelines at the same time . . . . some 60 to 70 miles apart.

Chicago Center switched me over the Minneapolis Center.  I requested that
they add my wingman, Dan, to our flight plan so as to prevent any possible
U.S. reentry problems as we flew over Canada enroute back to Buffalo.

Sadly, the entire week's adventure was coming to a close as we crossed
directly atop Niagara Falls for our final descent back into Akron.  Some 3.5
hours had passed since our departure from Oshkosk. 

We landed in time for me to secure the airplane, jump in the car, grab a quick
shower and change of clothes from shorts and t-shirt to pinstripes and tie for
Mark's wedding reception in downtown Buffalo.

All in all, for me, it was the best Oshkosh ever.  The weather was spectacular,
the airshows and stationary displays were great, and the friends, well . . . . I
guess that is the best part.  We will miss them all, for another year.

So this is the end of these "live" from Oshkosh messages until next year.  In
the meantime, begin today to plan for Oshkosh '08.  Get the time off, arrange
transportation, either by plane or by car, and do what every self-respecting
pilot must do.  Go to AirVenture '08.