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WELCOME TO B2OSH 2008
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Registration for 2008
is now open. |
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FORMATION FLIGHT: SATURDAY JULY 26,
2008
Briefing: 10:00 a.m. local
time. Miss the brief = miss the flight.
Flight to OSH: Noon local time. |
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Bonanzas
to Oshkosh began in 1990 when Wayne Collins and a few friends decided the only way to ensure camping together was to arrive together in formation. For a complete review of the history, how it began and evolved, see the HISTORY web page. The early history has been posted and we will add to it as time permits.
Wayne Collins led Bonanzas to Oshkosh until 2001 when Elliott Schiffman took
over the reins. In 2007, leadership passed to the capable hands of Larry Gaines.
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photo courtesy EAA AirVenture chief of
photography Jim Koepnick |
Today our focus remains firmly fixed: pilots flying the best general aviation airplane camping together in friendship and camaraderie. The formation arrival is our means of accomplishment. Our only requirements are membership in ABS and EAA and 3 hours of formation currency in the preceding six months.
I cannot stress too strongly that this event focuses on friendship, camaraderie and a grass-roots structure. Especially if you are a first timer, do not hesitate to walk up to any cluster of pilots and friends, introduce yourself and join in. This is how friendships are made. We all have a common interest.
For those new to B2Osh, those who may be
considering joining us, be sure to read the training
requirements, the FAQ, the Rockford
and Oshkosh information and our Letter of Agreement
with the FAA. Be assured that we strive to avoid cliques, that we welcome
newcomers and try to make everyone feel at home.
For those of you who might like to compare the
relative safety of our arrival with the regular Ripon arrival, I suggest you
read Rick Durden's article. Should you
decide to go it alone with the Ripon arrival, please follow Rick's advice.
An article by Bill Kight comparing the more
formal Bonanza formation with the Mooney Caravan should be read to impress upon
you the necessity for formation training and practice.
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If
you want to join us at RFD and/or OSH, but do not want to fly the
formation, see the FAQ page. No one will
be allowed to party with us who is not registered. |
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place of expensive mailings we utilize e-mail as the primary means of
communication. It is necessary that you keep me updated with change
of e-mail address even if you have not flown in the formation in the past
few years. Go to "CONTACT" in the left margin, click on my
e-mail address, under subject state "change of address."
You do not even need to include the address if you are sending it from the
address you wish utilized. If you think you might want to
participate in the future and want to be on the e-mail
list, just send me an e-mail. |
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We continue to refine and improve B2Osh.
We will again have Bonanza specific basic and advanced formation training in
Texas, but with a different format,
segregating those who want training just for B2OSH and those wanting to progress to advanced formation training. We will continue with
regional practice sessions. Registrants for B2Osh will
be listed by name and by zip code on this web site to enable you to find someone nearby for practice. Learning from experience, our raffle will not be allowed to sell out on Saturday, reserving an opportunity for the Sunday arrivals to participate.
A
core group of pilots met at RFD the morning of the 2004 flight to discuss the future direction of B2Osh. See the Review of 2004 for the changes. To give newcomers a better idea of what
to expect and to enable veterans to relish again the past experiences, I have posted the past reviews from the web site under the link in the left column, Annual Reviews.
Having
learned from the record setting flight of 132 aircraft, we recognized that safety is more important than numbers. Registration had been limited to 100 aircraft, but with progressively better training we are gradually allowing an increase in the numbers. Last year we had 101 aircraft in the formation. We plan for an average 15-20% cancellations for multiple reasons.
Late registrants especially need to document their training.
Unfortunately,
the world is becoming progressively more litigious as time goes by. We frequently read accident reports where lawyers have garnered huge awards in situations where the pilot was clearly at fault. We will be asking
every participant to sign a waiver at
Rockford.
The
Forum has been discontinued - there has been no interest and there are other
discussion groups.
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Enjoy the web site, the past articles,
review of last year and photographs. Review carefully the requirements for safe flight, ATC instructions and other notices.
Thank our sponsors by visiting their sites and patronizing their products.
Elliott Schiffman |
