Back from AV? Impressions?

[n3480h]

A number of local pilots have returned from AV with kind of a downbeat report. Comments included, "fewer interesting aircraft", "fewer interesting displays and seminars", "too many glass instrument and GPS vendors". Some complained that the event has become too commercialized - and too expensive. They miss the days when they could see 6-7 staggerwings, etc.

Just curious, what is your take on this year's AirVenture?

Tom

[Schmleff]

There was only my Sonerai at the show, which is the fewest I have seen in the last 8 years. Very few VW powered airplanes outside of some Sonex, CX4's and a Hummel Bird.

The new VW conversion out of Brazil was very interesting. I took lots of picts and will post about it tomorrow (my computer is at the office, rode my bike to work and back).

What I did do this year that I had not done in the past was hang out in the campground. Tim was a very kind host and we had a lot of fun shooting the breeze. Even though I live close to OSH I am going to try and camp there next year. Its becoming more about the people and less about the aircraft for me.

The picnic saw its lowest attendance in 8 years. We still had fun. It was great to have Fred hang around till the bitter end. Steve and Linda were wiped out and did not make it. I do about 10 trade shows per year in air conditioning. I hate to imagine how hard it is to to it in 90 degree Wisconsin summers...

I did have a great time. The race was awesome as usual. That was probably the highlight of the week for be besides friends. Getting to hang around other builders that are perfecting their aircraft is a lot of fun. Lots of BS on the radio during the race is fun... That and I beat a Cirrus X turbo by 3 tenths of a MPH. More on that when I do a race report.

So, ya, it was fun. I try not to let my disappointment with the organization overshadow the real reason I am there, friends and airplanes.

[jonfilipa]

I was at Oshkosh Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Had a good time, talked with a lot of good people, and learned a few more things.

Highlights for me included:
- Talking to Mike Melvill (SpaceShip One & long-time Rutan test pilot) while watching the Boeing 787 land.
- Having a good discussion with Fred over in the Homebuilders Hanger.
- Catching Jeff over by his Sonerai and discussing some of the mods he's made. Jeff, FYI I was the guy you were talking to from Cincinnati towards the end of the airshow Thursday. Your plane looks great and sets a good example for most of the rest of us to try and match. ;D
- John Roncz's forum(s) discussing his past work. For those that don't know, he's one of the most respected wing designers/aerodynamicists out there and has designed the airfoils on at least 52 planes of vastly different missions. Pretty much all self taught as he does not have an engineering or physics degree. Very impressive, and a pretty personable guy too.

Can't say I disagree with the comments on too few VW powered planes and too much avionics, but such is life I guess.

I will say that one thing I've noticed in past years but even more so this year is that by and large the pilots who fly more affordable airplanes (Sonerais, Sonexes, KR's, Wittman Tailwinds, etc) are much more approachable and open to questions than those that fly $$$ machines. Same goes for companies that supply all levels of planes vs just the expensive models only.

Well, time to get back to work on the II-LS I've got going in the garage. I've got tubes cut for the 1st fuselage side and need to get moving on the second. I've laid low for some time but will likely be looking for others insights on questions - dumb, smart, and otherwise - I'm sure I'll have going forward.

[raceair]

I noticed a lower turnout of antiques/classics, and maybe a tad less people. My Supervee forum was not well attended, Fred's Sonerai forum had less attendance than normal, and the Sonerai Picnic had fewer people, as Jeff had mentioned...However, all in all, it was good to be there, and I am glad I got to see my friends again. For me as well, it is getting to be more about people than airplanes, as I get older.....Ed F.

[pttim]

I just got back from AV last evening, round trip 2,224 miles. I had a great time camping. Several other members from my chapter were also there and seemed to migrate over to my campsite for evening refreshments and dinners.

There were a few days of rain which made things kind of sloppy for inter campsite traveling unless you were equipped to make the trip. My trusty Honda CT Trail 90 was up to the task, and at one time had to transport 5 guys in my truck.

Fred's Sonerai Builders Forum was very informative and ran overtime, too bad there was another forum waiting to use our space as there were plenty of questions yet to answer.

The Sonerai picnic attendance was lower than in past years but it was great to put some faces to the Sonerai Login handles.

For the first time I listed some wheel fairings in the Aero Mart and am happy to say they sold and I did not have to cart them all the way home. I also purchased another set for a good price.

Went to Steve Bonnets VW Forum and watched him install piston's barrels and heads, very informative. Next year I will make a point of attending the whole VW engine build that Steve Hosts.

I learned how to weld Aluminum with Oxy Acetylene, and am anxious to try it when I get back to the hangar. Also attended the Poly Fiber aircraft covering workshop, amazing the amount of stuff I forgot from the first time I attended it.

I put about 70 miles on my Honda CT 90 in the campground and will probably have to buy a new set of sneakers because I think I also walked that many miles too.

The night air show was spectacular, makes you wonder how those pilots can see where they are going with all the sparks coming off their planes.

Would have been nice to see more Sonerai's

All in all it is quite commercial these days but there are plenty of things to do if you don't want to look at planes that are out of your reach. You can never see it all in one year anyway.

I look forward to returning next year, Jeff expressed interest in camping so maybe we can get our campsites together and enjoy all the Sonerai camaraderie

Tim

[Tom H]

My son Glenn and I drove up on Wed, checked into the campground, set up camp, and made it to the Sonerai Picnic with time to spare. I was surprised to find so much mud in the campground; several roads were not passable. EAA had been bragging on how it improved the drainage, but it seemed there was not much effort to correct mud pits, such as around the shower houses, as compared to last year, which had much more rain. Overall, a minor inconvenience to us.

The Sonerai Picnic is always a highlight while attending the EAA Annual Fly-in and Convention. Always fun to see previous acquantances and meet new folks. Thanks again to Jeff. Hope he can work out arrangements next year for a picnic, since he is moving out of Wittman field soon.

On Thursday evening we were able to make our way back into the campground to attend a Corvair engine builders picnic. I had met William Wynne previously, but some others were familiar only by names on the forums. Another good time.

I, too, think the highlights of the trip are meeting up with these kind of folks.

I did not see too many new aircraft, etc. I did find the new VW based engine from Brazil (Motorav) interesting, with the huge fins on the heads, as well as the Honda based Viking engine. Both were priced about $12,000. We'll see how these pan out over the next few years.

I think next year I'll attend earlier in the week. It seems that I missed several aircraft, people and forums because I came later.

One highlight of the trip was the trip. Went through Chicago about lunchtime on Wed, and only had a short stoppage mid-city. Returning home, almost as good, but had about 10 miles of stop/go traffic west of Gary, In. Best trip in over 30 years, I think.

Tom H
S2LS
Louisville, Ky

[peterzabriskie]

All I can say is bummer, another year I did not get to AV. Good news is the move to Albuquerque/or Las Vegas all fell through. Chris and I will move to new digs in INDY. Save lots of $$$'s on gas and both Sonerai FlyIn and AV are a must next year. Staking out a patch in the Campground, "Sonerai Acres" would be cool.
-Pete