Review of 2006
Smooth as Silk
2006 was, perhaps, most
notable for the pleasantness of the experience, weather playing a large factor.
The year began with a flood of registrations for the
formation flight, somewhat slower registration for the regional training
sessions. Formation training clinics were again scheduled around the country.
We were disappointed by the lack of registration for the Florida
session leading to cancellation, but Lee Buechler and Michael Hatten did
eventually get an informal session together in March. I flew one flight as
safety pilot with a mild virus and was chagrinned to find I had vertigo every
time I turned my head back and down to look at the wingman. I learned lack of
symptoms on the ground is not sufficient. Ten days later Glenn Wimbish and
Ritchie Jones again hosted the NC session, successfully avoiding thunderstorms
by moving it to early April and utilizing their home airport, Burlington.
By this time the virus was gone and I truly enjoyed their session. They clearly
demonstrated that a 100 foot wide runway was adequate for our purposes. I am
continually amazed at how proficient pilots can become after two sessions with
a right seat safety pilot. The third flight on their own becomes a real
confidence builder and they are ready for B2Osh.
Pueblo, CO, postponed for a week because of high winds, was
hosted by Robert Wiebener and led by his brother, John “Weebs” Wiebener. Glenn
Olsen and David Evans ran the Midwest session in Kokomo, IN at the same time as Larry Gaines held his session on
the
west coast. During the CA session, Mary Jane Butt became our first female
FFI pilot. Paul Carroll and I hosted a session in New Bedford,
MA,
and Robert Mark a session on Long Island, NY. Wayne Collins again held the Advanced Formation
Training Session in TX over four days at the end of May with Mike Parrish
leading the TX-mini training session the prior weekend. Additional pilots were
awarded FFI status and Mike Merrill joined Mike Babler as an authorized FFI
check pilot capable of granting FFI certification to qualified aviators. Ray
Lewis accepted the job of hosting future Advanced Formation Training sessions.
I had the pleasure of attending three of the sessions each of the past several
years. Every location has a different flavor, but the result is the same –
pilots trained to a higher skill level than is needed for our B2Osh formation
flight.
Clearly all the volunteer
effort that goes into the training sessions is what makes B2Osh what it is.
Where else can one get training of this quality at no cost? Registration fees
go for expenses and food with volunteers paying for their own fuel, motels,
living expenses. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who give so freely of their
time and money.
Several of us arrived a day
early at RFD to ensure preparations for the Hangar Party would go smoothly.
Emery Air again provided superb
service and helped in innumerable ways. Scott Thomas
and Mike Sealy had almost all the shopping done by Thursday evening. On Friday
the kitchen crew of Jessie and Bob Siegfried II, Roz and Bob Weinstein, Ann and
Larry Goldfield, Paul Carroll, Ken MacDonald, Scott Thomas, Ted Lyda and I had
everything finished by late morning. Ted Lyda, one of our regulars but with a
plane out of commission, drove his van to RFD, arriving early, volunteering to
help anywhere and everywhere he could: kitchen, passing out shirts and caps,
transportation, picking up the beer, etc. Many others volunteered with the
shirts and caps.
Jim Gall, one of our
regulars, underwent coronary bypass surgery two days prior to the flight, but
is now feeling great and hopeful of rejoining us in the future. We had the
usual cancellations for “AOG”, health, family, work and weather. Typically,
this runs 15-20% yearly. The thunderstorms surrounding Rockford the
Thursday and Friday of our arrival ensured this year would be no exception.
The Rockford
hangar party was a great success. Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, salad,
cheeses, grapes, beer, wine and soft drinks in abundance did not get in the way
of renewing old friendships and making new ones.
Our first year utilizing a
10:00 a.m. briefing followed by a noon flight was a great success. Emery pitched in with
vans when the morning bus went first to the Clock Tower instead of HoJo. The
lack of a restaurant at HoJo was likewise not a significant factor. The
Airport Terminal coffee shop brought in extra breakfast sandwiches and Emery
provided snacks at the gate. Our weather for the flight was unusually cool and
crystal
clear. Taking advantage of those clear skies, Wayne
Collins, the flight lead again this year, led the formation at 3,500’ MSL, a
thousand feet higher than usual, a bit cooler and less turbulent. Two aborts
on the runway for minor problems were handled perfectly and they were able to
taxi back to the end of the formation and join with Bonanza Tail. Weather on
arrival at OSH was perfect and only one go-around was needed (we
love when pilots make that smart decision).
Kevin O’Halloran did a
magnificent job working with Carol and cordoning off our parking area. A few
of our pilots doing the Ripon arrival were already there as we taxied in. With
abundant margaritas, beer and pizza provided by Kevin coupled with the
relatively cool weather and early arrival tents went up a little easier than
past years. Thunderstorms to our south delayed some of the other formation
flights. The consensus seems to be that the 10:00 a.m. briefing and noon departure will
become the norm because it gives us more options and an arrival before the
other formation groups.
Volunteers again set up the
banner and the gazebos for the party. Red’s Catering supplied two whole pigs,
fresh corn on the cob dipped in butter and quantities of side dishes. Scott
again bought the wine, soft drinks, and all the other numerous items necessary
to make the party a success.
Our raffle was again sold
out. GAMI, our primary sponsor, along with the other sponsors of our raffle
made this year possible and we are indebted to their support.
A well executed Showcase
formation flight was put on by a two groups of FFI qualified pilots, six from
California and eight from Texas.
The Pioneer Princess is only
a memory of the past so the Tuesday cruise on Lake Winnebago is gone.
Next year promises to be
special because of the 60th anniversary of Bonanza and the 75th
anniversary of Beechcraft. Leadership passes to Larry Gaines. We can look
forward to a great year.
Elliott Schiffman
