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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Following
are answers to some of your questions. If you still have questions, contact
anyone on the list - all will readily give advice.
Why do I need to be a member
of ABS?
If you own a Bonanza you probably should not be flying it without being a member
of ABS. It is, without doubt, the finest type specific organization in the
world. Where else can one go to get real answers to questions about your airplane,
answers that have not been emasculated by passing through the corporate legal department?
Knowledgeable non-pilot mechanics join just for the incredible technical expertise
every month. The ABS Magazine is the unparalleled leader in its field.
The list of benefits is too long to enumerate here. Click on
ABS
to join
Why is the ramp fee so high
at RFD?
For years the FBO lost money on our group. They hire approximately thirteen
extra employees to service us. Fuel purchases alone do not cover their expenses.
We encourage fuel purchase from Emery FBO to keep the ramp fee reasonable and to
keep c.g. of your heavily loaded plane in balance. In recent years your
registration has included the ramp fee. For the past several years your
registration has covered the entire cost of the ramp fee.
I have a Baron. Can I participate?
Absolutely. Every year we have three to six Barons
in the formation. Training requirements are the same.
I don't want to fly the formation.
Can I still join you?
Yes. Fill out the registration form, pay the registration
fee. Note on the registration form that you will not be in the formation -
party only. Party with us at RFD. Do not park on the UPS ramp - park
on the Emery ramp. Depart just prior to our departure on the alternate runway,
do the Ripon arrival, put a sign in your windshield "Bonanza camping". You
must follow directions of flagmen. No one is allowed to tail the formation
into OSH. If joining us at OSH and not participating at RFD, fill out the
registration form, pay the registration fee, time your arrival at approximately
1:00 p.m. local time. Unfortunately weather may dictate a different arrival
time for our group, so be flexible. It is impossible to arrange joining our
group on a day other than our arrival until Wednesday or Thursday when some are
leaving and spaces may or may not be available. If you join us at OSH you
will still need to fill out a registration form. We need that to plan food supplies.
Should we require a logbook sign-off for formation proficiency?
Except for a few able to sign an FFI or FAST card for formation proficiency, there
is no one else approved to do this by the FAA. Most CFI's have no formation
experience and would not want the liability. The alphabet groups would cringe
at the thought of more regulations for the logbook. None of the planning group
for B2Osh has the time or desire to check logbooks. Currency has always been
an honor system in aviation.
Why don't we pick a closer airport?
If we were a gaggle rather than a formation that might work, but a formation needs
time to form up. We are halfway to OSH before the tail of the formation closes.
The only other alternative would be to circle over the airport until the formation
closed; that would be impractical and require a higher skill level. The Rockford
airport has excellent runways, a huge ramp and a great conference room for briefing
the 250 people in attendance; Emery is an extremely helpful FBO and there is a motel
at the airfield . The airfield location at the southern end of Lake Michigan
does not require pilots to cross the Lake or spend hours circumnavigating it
Will you reserve a motel room for
me?
No. You must reserve your own motel room with
a credit card guarantee for late arrival. The telephone number is on the reservation
form. We have 60 rooms held for B2Osh participants until May 31 at HoJo and
a large number of rooms at the Clock Tower. Register on time and you should
not have a problem. If you cannot get a room, registrants in the past have
had success with the Airport Inn, a very short walk from Howard Johnson, telephone
(815) 397-4000.
Why don't we depart earlier in the
day?
New answer: 2007: Nothing ever
stays the same. We tried a 10:00 a.m. briefing instead of a noon briefing
in 2006 and it worked out so well that we will continue. Plan for a noon departure
from RFD. The briefing remains mandatory for inclusion in the formation flight.
Why do we go two days prior to the beginning of EAA AirVenture?
We cannot guarantee the ability to park together (let alone a prime parking spot)
if we arrive the day prior to AirVenture. The entire concept of B2OSH is parking
together. It also allows great time the following day for the Museum and the
flight line before they get overcrowded.
Why is the registration fee higher
after May 31?
In prior years we turned people away who did not get their registrations in on time.
Ordering the proper number of shirts and caps for embroidery requires lead-time.
The past few years we have been a little more lenient, but there is so much extra
work demanded to accommodate late registration that this is an incentive to do on
time what the vast majority seem able to accomplish. There is enough publicity
months in advance, both with the web site and articles in ABS Magazine that it should
not be an issue.
When will I receive the shirts and
caps I ordered?
They will be distributed at RFD prior to and during the party and prior to the noon
briefing at RFD on the day of the formation flight. This saves a 7-10 dollar
shipping and handling fee.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Refunds will be given if cancellation is received prior to June 1. Otherwise,
thank you for donating to our great party.
What happens to my shirt and cap
if I cannot make the flight?
Unless otherwise instructed we will try to sell them and refund the money.
Otherwise, we will ask for a shipping/packaging fee to mail them to you.
Do I need to camp on the field?
B2Osh was organized to enable friends camping together. The formation was
the means of arriving together to accomplish this. If health or other reasons
require a stay in a room, we will still welcome your participation, but we discourage
people joining us for the formation flight and not camping with us. If partying
with us is your prime motivation, we would prefer you consider
"I don't want to fly the formation.
Can I still join you?" above.
If I do not camp on the field must
I still pay the camping fee to EAA?
Yes. All planes parked in the camping area must pay the camping fee regardless
of the presence of a tent. There is a separate parking area for planes not
wishing to pay a camping fee. It is located on the opposite side of the airfield,
far from all B2Osh activities. Pay the camping fee and stay with the group.
Do not argue with EAA volunteers posting a notice on your plane to pay the fee.
It reflects poorly on all of us.
Why should I join EAA?
For purely selfish reasons you will save
significantly on the daily admission fee and get a free admission to the EAA Museum covering the cost
of membership. Going with family? Get a family membership for only ten
bucks more and really save a bundle. Additionally you receive many benefits
including one of the finest magazines in aviation and support a wonderful organization
that benefits all of us in general aviation. To receive the discount you must
buy your membership before buying your ticket. In 1999 EAA did away
with the requirement to be a member months in advance of AirVenture. Check
the following link for EAA fees: http://www.airventure.org
How will I know where to park at RFD?
If you are a flight leader you will have been through this and know the
drill. All flight leaders are identified by a red card in the windshield and
parked on the ramp in the next available slot with nose wheel on a red circle.
Wingmen are directed to fill in empty slots in order of arrival.
Can I request to be in a specific
element?
No. That is impractical. The linemen have no ability to handle such
requests. The only exception is if all three aircraft arrive together at RFD
and identify themselves as a group with GREEN 8"x11" cards in the windshield.
Flight leader for the group will need both a RED and GREEN card, but must have approval
to be a flight lead.
How can I arrange to park next to
my friend at OSH?
You can’t. Even if in the same flight, you might be parked at the end of one
row and your friend at the beginning of the next. If you arrive at RFD together
and are in a flight near each other you will improve your chances. Once on
the ground we are at the total mercy of the ground crew and must do as they direct.
If it doesn’t work out consider it an opportunity to meet great new friends.
That’s what this is all about.
How are flight leaders chosen?
Flight leaders need a higher level of proficiency
than the wingmen. Flight leaders have either had multiple years of experience
in the B2Osh formation or extensive military formation experience. Even with
military experience, no one is a flight lead without prior B2Osh experience.
Want to be a flight lead? Request it, but no guarantee.
What happens if it rains?
The flight has flown through rain showers in the past, relishing the
cooling and cleansing effect. VFR visibility is required. The only delay
we have had so far is year 2001. It is possible the formation flight can be
delayed a day for continuous IFR conditions. There are no contingency plans
for delay beyond one day. Whatever group holds together will still probably
fly in together when able. Life can be like that.
How can I recharge my cell phone or portable radio?
From Larry Gaines: You have several options. 1) There are several outlets at the
shower area. I see many cell phones plugged in there most evenings, but you are
trusting your fellow pilots. 2) EAA provides a reasonably secure area for this in
the little building where they rent tie-downs, near the registration building and
the temporary FSS building. It is locked overnight and attended during the day.
3) Find a friend staying in a home or motel. 4) There are always vendors selling
batteries and chargers. They will gladly recharge while you spend an hour or two
with lunch or watching the airshow. One more point, there will be over 100,000 people
there each day. Those little walkie-talkies only have a few frequencies and you
will be hard-pressed to get a word in edgewise.
Problems parking in a field?
A board approximately 12" x 18" placed
under each tire in the camping area prevents the wheels from sinking in and
makes pulling out of your parking space much easier. From Art Brock: "One
of the important things we learned from the ABS sparweb study (and demonstrated
to the government) is that the cracking is caused by tension stresses on the
belly of the airplane resisted by the spars. This can arise in several
ground operational scenarios, hard braking, high power runups, and towing over
bumps or out of trenches in the turf. If you can visualize pulling hard on
the nose gear while the mains are stuck in the mud you are visualizing the exact
scenario that would cause the web to want to pull away from the huckbolts and
eventually form cracks. Not only do the boards make it easier on your back, they
may help prevent a future sparweb crack."
CAMPING: (Suggestions from Liz Campbell)
I haven't camped in years.
Do you have any recommendations?
Yes. Unlike our fellows in the Mooney caravan,
we can choose to bring larger (therefore heavier) and more comfortable tents. There
is nothing wrong with being able to stand up when getting dressed, or being able
to play cards at a small table if it rains in the afternoon. Some bring cots which
assure your sleeping bag stays dry in case heavy nighttime rains soak through the
tent floor. Most use an air-mattress or foam pad. Experience also favors having
plenty of metal tent stakes and some spare rope. Plastic stakes may shatter
if the ground is very dry during insertion. As you load your airplane, consider
weighing groups of items on a bathroom scale to check c.g. and w&b. If only
one or two going, consider removing the rear seats for easier packing. Mosquitoes
can be aggressive after the sun goes down. Bring mosquito repellent.
Bring something to sit on. Forget something? A Target is within walking distance,
a Wal-Mart a short cab ride away. Both have extensive camping gear and other
supplies. Some prefer to buy throw away coolers, chairs, etc. rather than
bring from home.
What is the typical weather and what
kind of clothes are recommended?
It is usually very hot during the day and
common to see some very bad sunburns. A comfortable hat, sunscreen and comfortable
walking shoes are important. One sweatshirt is sufficient if we are lucky enough
to experience a cool evening. A lightweight, waterproof jacket is worthwhile.
What about meals and supplies?
Some bring their camp stoves and cook most
of their meals tent side (propane grill, not charcoal). There are numerous fast
food vendors at the airshow and many restaurants in Oshkosh, with probably a half
dozen that can be reached by an easy walk from our campsite. Cabs can be called
if you decide to go downtown. There is a supermarket a short walk from our
usual camp site. If you leave something behind, don't worry!
Electrical outlets?
Electrical outlets are provided on the outside
wall of the shower building. It is common to see electric razors, curlers,
cell phones, laptops and anything requiring recharging or AC power plugged in -
even an occasional coffee maker - but be prepared to keep an eye lest it grow legs.
FROM A WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE (Liz Campbell):
Showers?
The individual shower stalls in the Women's
Showers, while Spartan, are clean and now have small racks for soap or shampoo containers.
I have found that for this one week I can survive with a bottle of mild body soap
in a plastic (unbreakable when dropped) bottle which doubles as shampoo. This is
very handy, travels well, and eliminates gooey bars of soap that are a a real mess
when camping. There is also a large area inside with sinks, running water, and mirrors.
Towels will dry hung inside your tent or on the prop; this is a matter of personal
preference. I found over the years that a nice tan-colored towel visually holds
up for a week better than most colors.
Timing ones' daily shower is a learned Oshkosh skill. I found that a long hot shower
in the late afternoon washes all the dust off from a long day walking the flight
line or display buildings and provides a good opportunity to clean up and change
clothes for the evening. Early in the morning showers are crowded with lots of kids
and their moms; hot water sometimes runs low during peak early morning shower time.
Remember, this is camping; relax from your regular "home" schedule.
Portalets?
(Also known as Port-O-San, Johnny-On-The-Spot, Porta-Potti, Port-O-Potty
and a host of other names in the outdoor waste management business.) Yup,
a fact of life at Oshkosh. EAA does a great job, all things considered. Toilet
paper is adequately supplied and a very thorough cleaning is carried out at least
once daily. It seems to be another fact of life that when you are in your
tent and crawl into your sleeping bag at the end of the day, the urge to pee becomes
the only thought, whether founded in reality or not. Remember how you got to Oshkosh:
you can comfortably rely upon "Gotta Goes" or the infamous Lady J Adapter in the
privacy of your own tent. Sure beats walking around the campground at night in my
book! Enjoy the luxury of a real flush toilet if at a restaurant off-site.
SHIPPING
TO OSH vs. OVERLOADING YOUR PLANE (from Gary Biba) (note: see update on address
and shipping in note by Bambi Banys below)
If you're like me, weight is always an issue on the B2OSH flight. I usually
end up shipping at least one 50 pound box so I can stay within the weight restrictions
of the aircraft. There is a local UPS Store that sets up a booth at AirVenture.
The store owner is Bob Ollerman and his phone number is (920)231-1623. Packages
can be sent to The UPS Store via any means (mail, UPS, FedEx). The UPS Store
charges a $4 handling fee, per box, for items shipped to them. Address the
packages as follows:
The UPS Store
Attention: (your name)
1528 S. Koeller Rd.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920)231-1623
In big bold letters write the following on the box:
Bonanzas to Oshkosh
North 40 Aircraft Camping
The booth officially opens on Monday at noon however
they are on-site Monday morning setting up, so packages can be picked up at that
time. For a $25 fee, they are willing to deliver packages on Sunday, after
our arrival. The fee would be prorated among the number of packages delivered
on Sunday. I typically arrange to meet them in the Super 8 parking lot (adjacent
to our campsite) at 4:00pm.
Their booth at AirVenture is located just south of the
Fly Market. The Warbird Tram runs from the North 40 Campsite to The UPS Store.
When shipping items home from Oshkosh, ride the bus to the tram, the tram to the
booth and avoid a backache.
Note : See re shipping from Bambi Banys below - booth may no longer be on site,
but owner delivers to North 40.
What to Pack (from John "Weebs"
Wiebener)
1. Food - you can buy anything and everything you need at the local supermarket.
We now take a cooler, pack it with camp supplies, then empty it out and store food
there. Don't bring any food, unless it's a regional item you want to bring and is
not available at Oshkosh! 2. Camp Equipment - Bring the best tent, sleeping
bag, cot, etc. that you can afford. When it's raining, and you are soaked - it's
not the time to wish you hadn't bought "el cheapo". It can be unbearably warm or
relatively cold at night. In general, a normal summer weight sleeping bag will do,
with a sheet available for the really hot, humid nights. Camp stoves, tables, lanterns
- really is up to you - be realistic with how much time you really will spend in
camp. 3. Clothes - Pack lightly. Every year I bring WAY too many clothes. In general,
shorts, light shirts, maybe a pair of sweats, and one set of decent "going out clothes".
Do NOT skimp on socks and good walking shoes. Your feet will thank you. Also, pack
a "hit and run" kit for the night at Rockford - you don't want to drag everything
out for just one night at HoJo. 4. Tie Downs - BRING THEM! You do not want to buy
the EAA sets. I recommend going to the local farm supply store and getting "pig
stakes". Use motorcycle tie downs instead of rope - as they are infinitely adjustable.
Rope does work. 5. Sunscreen, Bug Spray, etc. - Bring whatever you think you will
need to last the week in Wisconsin in the middle of the summer. Bring a rain poncho,
backpack, and water bottle for the day long hikes to AirVenture.
BONANZAS TO OSHKOSH with a One-Year-Old by
Bambi Banys
For those considering Oshkosh but fearing that it can't be done with little
ones, fear no more! Not only can it be done, everyone can have fun doing it.
Before arrival at Oshkosh I was not certain how I was going to contain,
manage, care for, and entertain our one-year-old daughter, Piper, while camping
at a HUGE, crowded, outdoor event. Here are the things that concerned me and the
corresponding solutions/resources that helped:
Heat: While I'm told this past year was mild, the humidity still made
it hotter than comfortable for our little one. When the heat became too much,
and she needed a break, I made my way to one of two un-publicized 'Mother Baby
Nursing' Stations. These small cabin like structures are air-conditioned,
equipped with a rocker, small play area, and changing station with free diapers
and wipes for emergencies. One is located near the 'old' tower, the other out
towards the ultralight area.Sun: Sunscreen is available at Target, about 1/2
mile walk away. However, with so much time outside it's really important to find
or create shade whenever possible. For older kids UV protecting lightweight
clothes is helpful. A large brimmed hat with chin strap worked well for our
one-year-old. We used the Sunday Afternoon Play Hat which also kept rain off of
her face. Most strollers provide wholly inadequate sun protection for the amount
of time you will spend outdoors at Oshkosh. I suggest an additional shade
attachment. There are 2 kinds available. We had one, another family had the
other. We had great success while they struggled. So I strongly suggest the
Kiddopotamus RayShade Sun Shade available at Target or Babies R Us. It's
lightweight, removable, provides excellent coverage, and fits most any stroller.
Space: I did not find the crowds to be difficult to
navigate with a stroller, even with Piper walking beside me holding my hand.
Food: The vendors at the event are terrible. There's no other way to
say it. The food is all fried and I didn't find a vegetable anywhere.
Thankfully, there is a grocery store next to the Target that has fresh produce
as well as basic baby foods (even some organic). The Hilton on the field (
accessible by the free bus) serves an excellent $10 breakfast buffet with fruit.
They are happy to let you take some with you for kid snacks for later.
Mobility: I debated bringing my very light and comfortable MacLaren
stroller that reclines. Instead I went with a nice umbrella stroller for $20.
Even though my MacLaren is light, the umbrella stroller was lighter and proved
better for our W&B as well as for my back when carrying Piper in one hand and
the stroller in the other getting on and off shuttles several times a day. The
umbrella stroller didn't have a basket to hold things, but a very small backpack
worked just fine. The one downside to the umbrella stroller was difficulty over
the areas of grassy terrain, a problem that could only be solved with a much
more cumbersome and heavy off road jogging stroller - something that surely
isn't going to fit in our plane!
Noise: All my worries about Piper not being able to nap or sleep at
night because of the noise of jovial campers was for nothing. With very few
exceptions, nights were quiet after 8-8:30. And as kids do, she managed to nap
with the roar of Mustangs and F-15's taking off just 50 yards away.
Supplies: I read in someone's info on the B2Osh site that you
shouldn't worry because whatever you need can be obtained at Oshkosh. But what
if I need to dry my toddler's clothes? Well, there's a Laundromat a short
(closer than Target) walk away. What if I need infant Tylenol? You can find it
at Target. Even with infants and toddlers, whatever you might need can be
obtained once you are at Oshkosh. (note from Larry: If you need services for a
child (i.e. sick child, after retail hours of near-by stores, etc., talk to me.
I have some 'resources' up my sleeve, including access to a car.) However,
if you don't want to bother with stores in Oshkosh, and can't fit everything in
your plane, ship it. We had great success shipping things to the UPS store in
Oshkosh. The booth is no longer on site, but the owner still delivers to the
North 40 if you call him. He charged us $4 per box with no additional fee. He
also came to pick up our boxes at 6:45am to ship them back for us.
The UPS Store
Attention: (your name)
1528 S. Koeller Rd.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920)231-1623
Activities: The variety of things for kids at Oshkosh was the biggest
surprise for me. I knew about KidVenture (
KidVenture at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
) and all of the great play/educational programs for the older kids but expected
nothing for a one year old.By chance, I stumbled upon Kiddie Kockpit, a play
area for little ones. Under the shade of a large tree and tent, there are
puzzles, toddler toys, face painting and ice water. The area is staffed by
welcoming volunteers and located between the Theater in the Woods and the
Vintage Aircraft HQ. This area is the most convenient for letting your little
one burn off some energy or get some shade during your day.Camp Schoeller, a
shuttle ride from the main activity area, also has children's play areas with
shade and a play structure. If you take the shuttle to the end of the line
(the ultralight area) and grab the bus ($2 round trip) to Vette Seaplane Base
your child can cool off with a swim in the lake. The water is clean, the green
stuff is harmless algae. The food out there is much better, serving corn on the
cob and fruit. There's ample shade, picnic tables, and grass to play on. For the
cost of a button, you get a boat tour around the parked seaplanes.I'm by no
means an expert, we've only been this once, but I'm happy to answer questions
and can be reached by email: bbanys@gmail.com
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