Airventure 2008 at Oshkosh!

More after the break:

Tanked up on fuel at Dubuque, Iowa to make sure I had plenty in case I had to hold on the way in.  There were a bunch of warbirds staging and practicing at Dubuque for a mass arrival tomorrow (Monday).

Warbirds at Dubuque

But the arrival was smooth.  Weaved through thunderstoms from Arizona to Missouri.  Then the legendary arrival procedures (30+ page instructions!) Busy, way too busy to even think about shooting pictures on the approach (head on a swivel the whole time).  Last minute change from Runway 27 to Runway 36 Left.  “Land on or beyond the Green Dot.”  An Oshkosh exclusive procedure, but no problem!  Taxi in and tie down with, oh, maybe 10,000 other planes this week!

Tied down at Oshkosh, Airventure 2008

Top drawer accommodations.  Dorm room at UW, Oshkosh.  No A/C, fourth floor room, men’s rest rooms on the 3rd floor.  Paradise!

VERY BUSY on the airshow grounds, considering the show doesn’t really start till tomorrow! Lots of visitors mixed in with trucks, forklifts, and workers setting up the acres and acres of exhibits.

More to come.  This place is absolutely Hog Wild for Flying!

Time to apply the lessons.  And I need your help for this!

We’ve all seen the doom and gloom articles.  Will the cost of flying and the shrinking pilot population result on the end of General Aviation as we know it?  Will we be priced, aged, and legislated out of existance?

I say NO!  We will not go quietly!  In fact, It’s Time to Grow!

Ok, so how do we grow?

Two separate but related strategies:

1.  Create a real, vibrant, active, exciting Flying Community.  Build on the good work of the EAA, the 99s, and local flying clubs.  But take it to the next level.  Think “COMMUNITY” not just “organization”.  The internal glue that binds us and the identity that we show the world.  And use the media (like FlightTime Radio, for example) to grow awareness and excitement about GA flying and our Community.

2.  Entice and introduce potential owners/pilots to flying.  Think EAA “Young Eagles” program, but focused on adults.  Introduce them to our Community!  Cast a wide net, with activities and incentives to plant their butts in that right seat for the first time. You know, flying really sells itself!  It includes resources like ”Be A Pilot“, but it’s much more than that.  Then, build on the AOPA “Project Pilot” program to mentor these new recruits.

What ideas do you have to build and grow our GA Community?  Please share and I’ll include them in future posts.  What works (and doesn’t work?) for you?  What is YOUR favorite part of flying? 

Next up:  Building a Real Flying Community.

After that:  Let’s Get Growing!

Prior Posts in the series:

Hog Wild for Flying…Now We’re Talking!  (FlightTime Radio)

Hog Wild for Flying…Comparing Safety (GA Flying versus Motorcycles)

Hog Wild for Flying…Part 2  (what is it about the Harley image…)

Hog Wild for Flying…Part 1  (What aren’t more people excited about Flying?)