Pilotcast #039 - 2006.07.11

Pilot Kent is joining us from Dandridge, Tennessee

This will be the first in a series of shows on surviving Oshkosh. First, though, we start off with the crew talking about their latest flying experiences. One of Pilot Dan's club planes, the Cherokee 140, has developed a hard to find shudder at high RPMs. There's a short discussion of Tach Time vs. Hobb's Time, and which to use when billing by the hour. Pilot Kent took a flight on the 4th of July and managed to see multiple fireworks shows from the air.

Rick Durden joins us and Pilot Mike asks his legal opinion on almost busting the St. Louis Class Bravo, due to an out of date marking on a sectional chart. Then there's a short discussion on the new changes to AVweb's site and how difficult it is to find articles, including Rick's series on Oshkosh. They mention a news item about a Grandfather who lands his Cessna 180 on a road, but clipped power lines and crashed on takeoff. Pilot Mike then brings up the new proposal that would make taking an online course on flight procedures within the Washington DC ADIZ mandatory for anyone flying VFR within 100 nm of it. In more news, they discuss the Southwest Airlines co-pilot who was arrested for being under the influence of alcohol. Pilot Dan has a friend at the Miami Herald, who just complete a 3 part series about fatalities in the air cargo industry. Before Pilot Ron joins us, Rick mentions his Fly In Fest' at Cadillac, Michigan. Pilot Kent will be attending to do some seaplane flying and possibly get some dual time in a P-51D Mustang.

Pilot Ron, a member of the Apple Air Force, joins us and we move on to a discussion of Oshkosh. Rick has written a series of columns, available from AVweb, on "Surviving Oshkosh." Pilot Kent has put together a simple flow chart for the Fisk arrival NOTAM. Rick identifies the biggest risk to flying into Oshkosh are planes going too slow on their final approach, forcing planes behind to go slower than they should, causing a stall. Pilot Dan asks for a walkthrough of the VFR approach, during the busiest arrival period.

1. Read and understand the NOTAM!
2. Make sure you can fly your airplane at the appropriate approach speed
3. As you're approaching, listen to the ATIS and do not make any calls
4. Arrive over the town of Ripon and set up on speed
5. Get in line with the other aircraft and follow along the railroad tracks
6. As you approach Fisk, listen on the appropriate frequency for the controllers
7. At Fisk, you will be called by airplane color and type, given instructions on which runway to set up for, and given the next radio frequency
8. Acknowledge the call by rocking your wings (Do not call!)
9. Be aware, you will be flying a lower than normal patter altitude
10. If landing on 36, you'll be on a left base and the controller will call you by color and type, and give you either 36L or 36R
11. If landing on 9, make a gently right turn to 45 degrees, and you will be told to land on one of a series of colored dots
12. If landing on 27, you'll be on a right downwind, low and close in, and flying a tight pattern, unless instructed otherwise
13. Maintain the 90 kt speed until a 1/2 mile final to not slow the traffic behind you
14. Once down, you'll be instructed to exit the runway, immediately, without stopping
15. Follow the flag people to parking, keeping full back pressure on the yoke because you're taxiing on grass

For entertainment before the airshow, Rick suggests sitting by the runway, with a cooler of beer and an air band radio. You'll witness some amazing flying, both good and bad. Just a few more points to keep in mind:

• If departing on 27, stay below the maximum altitude in the NOTAM, to prevent entering the stream of arriving aircraft
• At 30 nm out, switch your transponder to standby
• Make sure all eyes on the cockpit are looking outside
• If you're unable to hold your speed, altitude, and direction, you shouldn't be flying into Oshkosh
• Student pilots are prohibited from flying arriving or departing aircraft
• Use the busses that take you from aircraft parking to the admission gate
• Join EAA before going in order to get the admission discount
• There is a shuttle bus that takes you to the seaplane base
• If driving in, enter in the center lane which heads you to the red lot, which is about 1/2 mile closer than the yellow
• Pilot Mike has a secret method for getting a closer parking space, but you'll have to listen to get it

Pilot Ron asks about getting an IFR reservation and for any tips on surviving the crowd or 800,000 people for a week, once you get on the ground. The IFR procedure is explained in the NOTAM. Rick noted that if the airport is in VFR conditions, you will be encouraged to cancel IFR, but they can't require it. 

Rick comments on camping on the field. Be prepared for sometimes oppressive hot and humid weather and occasional violent thunderstorms. Mike has some tips on routes and parking for those driving in.

Rick and Mike review a list of items to have, from Rick's Survival Guide:

• poncho
• money
• lightweight cooler
• lightweight folding chair(s)
• video camera
• flip flops/thongs
• EAA membership card
• extra tent stakes
• aspirin/ibuprofen/acetaminophen
• extra toilet paper
• jacket
• mosquito repellent
• hat
• bandanna
• money
• small umbrella
• inexpensive vinyl rain poncho
• extra dry socks
• money

• tie down stakes and rope
• comfortable walking shoes
• small backpack
• sunscreen
• water bottle or CamelBak
• light snacks
• money
• plastic sheet/tarp
• duct tape
• extra rope
• lightweight cardboard for signs
• marking pens
• money
• the NOTAM for OSH (The FAA's version might be hard to print or read; you can try the PDF version instead.)
• camera
• film (three times what you think you'll need)
• batteries

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006
• EAA website
• AVweb, the Aviation News site
• AVweb news: Pilot Lands On Road, Is Killed Trying To Take Off
• New ADIZ Training Requirement Sparks Concern
• Co-pilot arrested on alcohol charges
• The Miami Herald's series "Deadly Express," about fatalities in the air cargo industry.
• NPR coverage of the "Deadly Express," series.
• Wexford County Airport, site of Rick's Fly In Fest

• Pilot Kent's flow chart for the Fisk arrival NOTAM
• Rick Durden's Oshkosh Survival Guide columns
  • The Pilot's Lounge #38: Yes, Pogo, the Enemy Is Us
  • AVweb's AirVenture 2003 Survival Guide -- Part One
  • AVweb's AirVenture 2003 Survival Guide -- Part Two
• Palo Alto Airport, where Pilot Ron will begin his flight to Oshkosh

Song: "She Always Notices the Sky" by The Alice Project Music on the Pilotcast is from the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Check it out at http://music.podshow.com