Oshkosh 2016 planning

[bruceh]

I've never been to Oshkosh Airventure, and this year I plan on correcting that omission.

What do I need to bring for Homebuilt camping? Tent, sleeping bag, food, drinks, folding chair, etc.
When is the best time to show up? Saturday or Sunday?
Coming across the US from San Diego, so I will probably take 2 days to get out there.
Where are the good places to overnight on the way out and back?

[bullojm1]

Bruce,

I am super excited for to meet you! Make sure you pencil in Wednesday night for the RB prime rib dinner!

Here is my ever-evolving list of things to bring to Oshkosh, in no order:

• Flashlight
• Headlamp
• Batteries for flashlight and headlamp
• Sleeping Bag
• Water Bottles filled with water
• Cheapo Styrofoam cooler
• Beer
• Liquor
• Mixers
• Bug Spray
• NOTAM
• ear buds (so the P51's taking off at 7am don't wake you up)
• rope
• baby wipes
• swimsuit
• solar charger
• camera
• Tent with groundcloth and stakes
• Flask (For Van's Banquet)
• ATM Card / Credit Card / Cash
• GoPro
• Rain Jacket
• Umbrella
• Hat (optional, you will surely get a lot of free ones from the vendors)
• Sunscreen
• Pillow
• Flip Flops
• Sunglasses
• HBC and VFR Signs
• Towel and washcloth
• Garbage Bags x2
• Small Plastic Clamps x5-10 (for clamping your wet towel to the prop to dry)
• Small bedding sheet (some sleep cover when it's too hot to be in the sleeping bag)
• Folding Chair

Last year I showed up on Sunday shortly after noon and I got the best parking spot ever. Things started to fill up REALLY FAST on Sunday afternoon, so my recommendation is to get there no later than 1pm on Sunday. It's actually pretty cool to walk around Aeroshell Square Sunday evening before the show opens up to the public. I find the food is pretty terrible at Osh. I bring breakfast food with me (bananas, cereal bars) and deal with what I can for dinner. Monday night the the Beer Fairy (no food, but beer is food! ), Tuesday is Van's Banquet and Wednesday is our own Prime Rib Banquet (the best food ever IMHO). You can't buy beer outside of the event and bring it in (unless you're sneaky). I ran into a few people who tried and needed to leave their silver bullets behind.

I've never been to Oshkosh Airventure, and this year I plan on correcting that omission.

What do I need to bring for Homebuilt camping? Tent, sleeping bag, food, drinks, folding chair, etc.
When is the best time to show up? Saturday or Sunday?
Coming across the US from San Diego, so I will probably take 2 days to get out there.
Where are the good places to overnight on the way out and back?

[leffler]

You can't buy beer outside of the event and bring it in (unless you're sneaky). I ran into a few people who tried and needed to leave their silver bullets behind.

You don't have to even be sneaky. Have the welcome wagon drive you to the red barn, buy a six pack or two or three, and have the welcome wagon drop you back off at your tent.

Now if you want to good beer, you'll have to get it off site. But there are plenty of ways to get it on site without hassle.

[bullojm1]

Now if you want to good beer, you'll have to get it off site. But there are plenty of ways to get it on site without hassle.

Bob,

I must learn from your wisdom this coming Oshkosh. Last year I heard entirely too many stories of good beer purchased outside of the grounds that was needlessly abandoned.

[painless]

I usually have no problems smuggling in good beer to my campsite.....

[bullojm1]

I usually have no problems smuggling in good beer to my campsite.....

Painless -- you're a genius. Instead of smuggling good beer into HBC, i'll just consume your excess!

[painless]

I usually have no problems smuggling in good beer to my campsite.....

Painless -- you're a genius. Instead of smuggling good beer into HBC, i'll just consume your excess!

Somehow, I kinda figured that was going to be your plan.

[captain_john]

Bruce, Looking forward to seeing you there!

I plan on arriving early and setting up in the back row again by the cell tower. It is near the showers, food, transportation and most of all THE BEER FAIRY!

Hard liquor packs well, but beer is nourishment. Beer requires ice... hmmm I hate lugging around a cooler!

Maybe just go to SOS Bros. again?

Mikey, have you ever been there?

CJ

[leffler]

Now if you want to good beer, you'll have to get it off site. But there are plenty of ways to get it on site without hassle.

Bob,

I must learn from your wisdom this coming Oshkosh. Last year I heard entirely too many stories of good beer purchased outside of the grounds that was needlessly abandoned.

There are many authorized vehicles that go back and forth from Scholler and HBC. I've never seen one searched yet.

[bullojm1]

I hate lugging around a cooler!

Buy a cheap styrofoam cooler and bring it with you. It's light, and you can fill it with camping gear so it really doesn't take up any extra space. At the end of Airventures, toss is in the trash. I did that at both Oshkosh last year and SNF this year and it worked out great.

[captain_john]

I hate lugging around a cooler!

Buy a cheap styrofoam cooler and bring it with you. It's light, and you can fill it with camping gear so it really doesn't take up any extra space. At the end of Airventures, toss is in the trash. I did that at both Oshkosh last year and SNF this year and it worked out great.

...but I am heading to Vegas afterward.

Nahhh, I will just fill your cooler!

CJ

[bruceh]

Mike, thanks for the list! It will be great to meet up with the rest of the RB crowd. I will plan on going to the Black Otter. I will also come prepared with some local San Diego beers.

CJ, hope you like hot weather. Vegas in the summer can be pretty warm. Keep heading west and come on out to the Pacific coast! It's just a quick flight from there to SD.

[captain_john]

Bruce,

I am a little curious how my hot-blooded plane will do down there. Me, I will be fine.

This year a trip to Cali isn't in the cards... SOON!

CJ

[bruceh]

CJ, the plane will do fine in the heat. I've had mine flying at 112F in Arizona. Thankfully, we got out of there before the high temp of 119F hit! Helps to find some shade for parking.

[gbrasch]

I had a nice stop at Saker Aviation KGCK in Garden City Kansas and they will give you another 25 cents off fuel if you mention my app.

[sibriggs]

I'm driving in, in a rental car and will be happy to bring ice for Capt. John's cooler. He's already let me sample his beer and a pizza one day a while back.

Just finished the canopy on my RV 9 and am looking forward to see how other builders sealed up the joints when it's closed up. (i.e. between the coward skin, the rear roll bar, and the deck gap). Bringing my camera to Oshkosh for pictures and ideas.

And looking forward the meeting all you guys I have been reading the posts from during the past year. I'd also like to buy some beers as a thank you for all the great pictures posted that have helped in my build so far.

[sibriggs]

Should have read "forward skin". duh!

[captain_john]

Steve, glad that you are coming outz,

Looking forward to yucking it up with you out there!

CJ

[Speed3Guy]

Holy Cow I'm looking forward to Oshkosh again! Can't wait to meet those of you I haven't and catch up with those of you I know. My liver is cringing at the thought of running into CJ. We're not making the Otter this year--No point in turning my 1 and 3 year olds (the reasons I've missed 3 years running) loose on all of you. I'll be in HBC for the first half of the week or so, arriving late Saturday or early Sunday. The -8a has found a new home. We'll be in a recently refurbed silver RV-10 that needs a lot of cowling work.

Best,
Guy

[leffler]

Holy Cow I'm looking forward to Oshkosh again! Can't wait to meet those of you I haven't and catch up with those of you I know. My liver is cringing at the thought of running into CJ. We're not making the Otter this year--No point in turning my 1 and 3 year olds (the reasons I've missed 3 years running) loose on all of you. I'll be in HBC for the first half of the week or so, arriving late Saturday or early Sunday. The -8a has found a new home. We'll be in a recently refurbed silver RV-10 that needs a lot of cowling work.

Best,
Guy

I hope you can make the RV-10 dinner on Sunday. There usually is plenty of toddler friendly finger food. There is usually 50-60 RV-10 builders/flyers/wannabes and their families.

I should be arriving around10:00-10:30 on Saturday. I try to park on the eastern edge of HBC.