This was the 50th anniversary of EAA holding their annual convention in Oshkosh. Things were a little different back then. Ok, maybe a lot different. The arrival instructions in 1956 were pretty simple:

Approach the field wide and high. Check to see if the field is open. Large white cross will be placed next to the wind tee when the field is closed for show. Field has no tower communication. Proceed either to airport at Appleton or Fond du Lac as alternates if necessary. Call in by phone (Oshkosh Stanley 1551) to check when field is open. Runway 9-27 will be closed, also that part of runway 18-36 north of runway 9-27. Clear runway immediately upon landing. Be prepared to show your EAA identification to allow parking in EAA area.

That’s it. (We especially liked the phone number.) By comparison, have a peek at the NOTAM that tops out at 32 pages (complete with pictures) and describes the current procedures. A little different….

Speaking of different, if you have had any thoughts that AirVenture is a rather conventional convention, here’s an example of why that’s not true. Check out how attending AirVenture and learning about RC flying led Alex Vanover (aka CaptainVanover) to become a professional drone racer.

Championship Drone Racer — From Learning RC at Oshkosh to Professional Drone Racing

This guy has racked up an impressive list of 1^stplace victories over the past two years. So again, why go to Osh? Inspiration, connections, learning something new … and you really can’t predict what might come of it.

And finally, for a different sort of flying … STOL and backcountry flying is catching the attention of a lot of people. In fact, this type of flying is creating its own fan base. You can find actual competitions as well as demonstration events at many aviation gatherings. We saw a full-on demo at AOPA’s Fly In in Livermore CA last month, which featured no less than a dozen aircraft varying from Mike Patey’s turbine-powered Wiga named Draco (growing hugely popular over the past year) to a Cessna 206 and everything in between. It’s fun and exhilarating to watch. Here’s a glimpse of this year’s competition at the ultralight runway. (Fast-forward about 2 minutes into the video for the real action.)

Word on the street is that the Reno Air Races will be presenting STOL drag racing … two planes taking off from a starting line, landing at the finish, coming to a complete stop, whipping a quick 180, and flying back to the starting line. First plane back wins.  Let me tell you, the races are close with margins of victory not unlike NASCAR.

But even better, we learned about a fly-in that you might want to check out this Fall. The High Sierra Fly-in at Dead Cow Lakebed in Flanigan (north of Reno), Nevada, October 17-20, 2019 has apparently become the best backcountry fly-in in the country. Well, so we were told, but we have no reason to doubt our sources! This off-airport, camping-only event is really intended for fly-in airplanes but drive-in spectators are welcome.

There will be plenty of STOL drag racing. But what really appeals is the camaraderie at the event. We were surprised to learn this year is the tenth anniversary. Hope to see you there!

Media representation at AirVenture is no longer exclusive to print and image publications. A community of Podcasters show up to tell their stories. These folks find some of the most interesting things and tell them in ways that remind us of a day when radio was a main source of information and entertainment.

Here are just three, but we have more on the way.

Hooking up with Opposing Bases

In a previous post about unconventional podcasts, we suggested that you check out Opposing Bases. AirVenture gave us the opportunity to meet up with Romeo Hotel, one of the two hosts. He, his co-host, and their crew were busy bringing you coverage of the show and their daily experiences. Most interesting was their reporting on arrivals and departures into and out of Whitman field … a task requiring a lot of planning, thought, and the NOTAM. They visited the controller’s station at Fisk by car, the entry point to landing at Whitman Field during AirVenture. But even better, they also reported on the experience from the cockpit. So ride along on their travels (both airborne and on the ground), and be sure to check out their website for videos. The three episodes combined really give you an idea of what’s going on between controllers and pilots in this dance to get thousands of airplanes safely on the ground and back in the air at the end of the show.

https://www.opposingbases.com/bonus-live-from-fisk/

https://www.opposingbases.com/bonus-live-over-fisk-eaa-airventure-oshkosh-2019/

https://www.opposingbases.com/bonus-fisk-flight-narrative/

The Green Dot taped live with Burt Rutan

Photo courtesy of EAA

The hosts of The Green Dot, EAA’s bi-monthly podcast, held court with Burt Rutan, designer of the world’s most interesting and cutting-edge aircraft. You know, some of those ones with the wings in the front and crazy good performance. This was The Green Dot’s yearly live taping during AirVenture. When I cruised by the venue, the crowd was hanging on Burt’s every word. Be sure to check out this episode, and their other fascinating shows. Also, Rutan is no stranger to AirVenture … you know he’s there when you discover what we believe is the only flying Beech Starship parked on the ramp.

EAA’s The Green Dot Live — Legendary Designer Burt Rutan

Second chances with Eric and Lyn Lindbergh

I stopped by the Urban Air Mobility Showcase and learned a few things about short-distance, electric aircraft. Of particular interest was the VerdeGo Aero booth. They are focused on developing hybrid-electric propulsion systems for electric vertical takeoff landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This is a fascinating piece of aviation that will likely transform air travel in the not-so-distant future. Another thing makes this remarkable. You know that Charles Lindbergh jump-started long-distance air transportation with his 1927 flight across the Atlantic. Now, his grandson Erik Lindbergh is attempting to jump start short-distance air transportation. He is the president of VerdeGo Aero, and what they are doing is a whole story in itself.

But we thought, rather than us tell you about it, why not learn about it straight from the source. Eric and his wife Lyn host a podcast called The Lindberghs. Their focus is Second Chances. And though their episodes, you’ll hear people tell some remarkable stories about wonderful things that came from having a second chance. That in itself is pretty cool. Every episode has left me wanting more. But you’ll also learn a lot about what’s coming in short-distance electric-powered air travel. For example, what industry is driving battery technology the fastest?  Nope, not aerospace, and no is it the electric car industry. The answer will shock you.

Check out these episodes. And if you want to get straight to the eVTOL stuff … and to learn the answer to the previous question. (Hint: skip to 43 minutes into episode 10. But you’d really enjoy the entire show, so we recommend just starting at the beginning.)

Episode 7: Flying Cars with Eric Bartsch

Episode 10: Creating the future of flight with Dr. Pat Anderson

]]> https://oddballpilot.com/2019/07/podcasts-from-oshkosh/feed/ 0 https://oddballpilot.com/2019/07/boots-on-the-ground-and-in-the-mud-at-airventure-2019/ https://oddballpilot.com/2019/07/boots-on-the-ground-and-in-the-mud-at-airventure-2019/#respond Mon, 29 Jul 2019 23:04:42 +0000 http://oddballpilot.com/?p=4188

AirVenture began with soggy start. After several inches of rain from a massive storm on Saturday, the field closed early to all aircraft parking on the grass, so arrivals were turned away until Sunday afternoon. And even at that, only a few planes got in … at one time, only tundra tires were allowed on the grass! But then the floodgates opened, and hundreds upon hundreds of planes arrived at the same time. Hats off to the EAA staff, their on-the-ground volunteers, air traffic controllers, and the pilots for keeping this gaggle safe, efficient, and organized. EAA overcame all of the challenges and the show bounced back with lots of airplanes, exhibits, and seminars for what turned out to be a brilliant week of fine weather and great aviation.

This was EAA’s 50^th anniversary of its annual convention continuously being held in Oshkosh.  (This was their 67^th gathering.) The first convention hosted something like 12 airplanes and 8 campers in 1953. This year, there were more than 10,000 aircraft, 16,807 aircraft operations (that’s something like 125 takeoffs and landings per hour), and an estimated 40,000 campers. Things have changed a bit.

Spirit of AirVenture

With all the nostalgia floating through the air because of the 50^th anniversary, it made me wonder what it was like before the 10,000 aircraft and hundreds of thousands of visitors. Was there anything that remains from their earliest days?

Indeed there is. I found it in places like the Emergency Airplane Repair barn (hang tight for more on that below). But it was most prevalent in some of the out-of-the-way places … like the Aeroplane Workshop and Homebuilders Hangar, where I saw no less than 10 instructional demos going on simultaneously. Need to learn sewing fabric? Or how build a wing spar? Or witness how riveting works?  This is where you can learn from others who not only have the knowledge and experience but also want to share it.

Then there were also the impromptu exchanges … for example just crouching over an engine, one-on-one, in a debate over the finer points of … whatever.

And let’s not ignore the passionate dreamers. The ones who concoct some crazy idea and bring it to AirVenture to share with anyone who will listen. For example, Kazuhiko Hachiya. Simply strap on a turbine powered wing, bring it to Oshkosh, and you have an instant audience.

This is the kind of genuine AirVenture that perpetuates year to year.

Emergency Aircraft Repair for 55 years

There’s another part to AirVenture that for me shouts out, this is what it’s all about. I saw a sign I’d never seen in the 19 years I’ve attend AirVenture: Emergency Aircraft Repair. Two ailing airplanes were parked near a small building, so I decided to see what this was about.

There I met Jim Smith from Davenport, Iowa. He sat down with me to tell about this group and how they got started.

“55 years ago at the [EAA] convention in Rockport, Ill, we had a plane break down. He didn’t have any tools, so I helped scrape together what he needed from the others … a screwdriver here, some sockets there. Afterwards, I told Paul [Poberezney] we needed to bring some loaner tools to future conventions. He thought that was a great idea, so we started up the repair barn, which was really just a tent.” Since then, Jim (pictured below in the current barn) has helped organize and grow this service into a robust resource for pilots-in-need, and it’s now set up in a permanent structure.

The Emergency Aircraft Repair loans tools and expertise. Jim quickly pointed out, “We don’t do the repairs. We have four full tool boxes and a good set of bench equipment … just about anything someone needs to perform a repair.”

The repairs range from minor to major. “Yesterday, we loaned one fellow the tools he needed to disassemble his Piper Cub and put it on a truck to take home.” And how many pilots use this service?  “About 250 each year,” Jim told me.” And the charge? “Nothing. We’re here to help. But if they want to, the aircraft owners can make a donation to help us buy new tools and equipment.” And this modestly was 100% accurate. While I hung around, I heard every person returning tools ask how much they owed. The volunteers said there was no charge. But if pressed, the volunteers simply pointed toward the donation jar. Not required, not expected, but very much appreciated. The sense of community runs strong at AirVenture, and this service paints that picture beautifully.

We recently had a conversation about our favorite aviation podcasts—what’s good, not so good … the typical hangar-flying you might expect. As we worked out plans to bring you a comprehensive list of the ones we like best, we realized that wasn’t so helpful. Search your favorite podcast app for a term like “aviation,” and you get a long list from which to pick and choose. So we took a step back and concluded that what you might really like is a glimpse into some unconventional aviation podcasts that might not show up in your search results.

We’ll kick things off with three shows that keep percolating to the top for us. This isn’t to say that you should blindly subscribe. Rather, have a listen … and let these suggestions inspire you to seek out some oddball aviation-related podcasts yourself. And let us know what you find!

We plan to offer more of these suggestions in the future. Some might be off-beat or unpredictable. Others might be mainstream but grouped in ways that you’ll find appealing or different. Whatever the case, here’s our first stab at some podcasts you might not know about otherwise.

Omega Tau

This is primarily an engineering podcast. The hosts, Markus Voelter and Nora Ludewig, advertise that they are explaining the world of science and engineering. As such, aviation plays an important role in their content. But you’ll also find episodes about such things as modeling socio-technical systems, the Wendelstein 7-X Fusion Experiment (ok, some pretty hard-core physics sort of stuff), and steam locomotives. If you are of the sci-engineering bent … or if you just like trains … this is a great podcast. But if you like aviation (and we know you do), and in particular unconventional aviation, then this is a podcast you really might want to keep up with.

Here are a few episodes we liked. But in all honestly, with a catalog that exceeds 300 episodes, it will take us a while to provide you with a definitive list of their best shows.

Episode 235 – “A Walk in the Woods with Miami Rick and the Big Boeings”
Flying cargo in the 747 and 777 … among other things. This episode is particularly fascinating not just for the content of the conversation, but because it happened entirely while walking through the forest near Ramstein AFB in Germany. You really get the feeling that you’re walking and hiking with Markus and Rick. The nearly two-hour talk goes by quickly.

Episode 306 – “Flying the RC-135S Cobra Ball”
Flying the RC-135 Cobra Ball/Eye out of Shemya, Alaska to monitor Soviet/Russian ICBM missile launches and warhead reentries. Cameras, sensors, the cold war, and more!

Episode 297 – “Flying the AH-64 Apache”
An episode about the systems, the cockpit, and the experience of flying Boeing’s lethal twin-turboshaft attack helicopter. What we really found interesting though was the discussion about the missions it’s flown.

Episode 291 – “Flying in the Papauan Bush”
This one’s right in the Oddball Pilot’s wheelhouse, for obvious reasons!

You might also like the episodes about the Long Haul Glider (Markus is a glider pilot), the U-2 spy plane, the Perlan Project, and carbon fiber wings. Check out their archive for a list of past episodes. In true engineer style, there’s a Python script if you’re brave (and tech savvy) enough to download ALL 300+ episodes at once. The Omega Tau website is available in a variety of languages, so be sure to click the translation links in the right rail. Episodes typically run about an hour.

English: http://omegataupodcast.net/category/podcast-en/

German: http://omegataupodcast.net/

Opposing Bases

Your hosts are both air traffic controllers AND pilots. Cleverly disguised behind their ATC operating initials Alpha Golf and Romeo Hotel, this rather laid-back duo brain dumps with the sort of humor that insiders use with other insiders. Their experience flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft, as well as working ATC in an up/down tower/radar facility provides them the legitimate experience to offer insights from both sides of the pilot/controller relationship. They have a really cool feature that lets you record a message for them, or a question that they’ll answer in a future show. The episodes are both informative and entertaining, and they banter through some pretty interesting scenarios and topics. Great stuff, especially if you’re interested in what goes on in a tower, in a TRACON, or in a controller’s head.

It’s hard to offer a list of favorites, so scan the list of shows and listen to what sounds interesting. We liked:

Episode 77: Everyone Is Cleared to Land
We really liked hearing about differences in flying approached in helicopters versus fix-wing aircraft. And especially about how flying an approach in a helicopter might change your approach category … during the approach!

Episode 76: Help Wanted
Tips on getting hired as a controller. Sounds like it takes some patience.

Episode 73: Fun Checkrides and Fat Airplanes
Ever take a check ride where your examiner was also getting a check ride? You’ll also hear some interesting comments on hypoxia, including its unique symptoms for each person, and how training and long-term memory can help you remember how to recognize your symptoms.

One other thing: what’s up with the name, “Opposing Bases?” Think about parallel runways and how two aircraft can find themselves staring at each other as they fly their own respective base legs in the pattern. Very clever. Give it a go. Episodes typically run a little over an hour.

https://www.opposingbases.com/

The Rocketeer Minute

Billed as, “Disney’s Greatest Adventure Film, One minute at a Time,” your first impression of this podcast might be … why do I want a review of this movie one minute at a time? But give it a try. Because there’s more, and so much of it involves aviation. In fact, the film certainly has a great deal of flying and aviation. If you watch the film (and we suggest that you do), you’ll see some fancy flying performed by Steven Hinton Senior, Craig Hosking, and the late Jimmy Franklin (among other great airshow pilots). And they fly some interesting airplanes, such as the Bee Gee Model Z Super Sportster, Travel Air Model-R Mystery Ship, Hughes H-1 Racer, Ryan ST-A, Great Lakes 2T-1A, Standard J-1, Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor … okay, you get the picture. There are some very cool, vintage airplanes that you’ll see as they really are (were?), and not as CGI.

So why this podcast? Well, to be fair and transparent, we know one of the hosts, Hal Bryan, rather well. But that’s not our motivation. What we like about The Rocketeer Minute is that while Hal and Jim O’Kane focus first on the movie, their conversation inevitably takes them down one interesting aviation tangent after another. Another reason is that they have guests on the show who reveal some fantastic aviation insights. You’ll hear from folks like the aforementioned Craig Hosking (a remarkable pilot and coordinator of the flying sequences), Jack Pelton (Chairman and CEO of EAA), Erik Lindbergh (grandson of, yes, that Lindbergh), and Jonathan Bach (named for the seagull in the classic book penned by his father, Richard Bach). That’s just a small sampling.

It’s hard to pick favorite episodes, but more memorable stories include how pilots basically “wear” the Bee Gee, and also how the “crash siren” has made its way into our associative psyche as the common sound all airplanes make in a steep-dive crash. So, watch the movie, enjoy the story, marvel at the flying, and then tune in to The Rocketeer Minute for some interesting content, anecdotes, and insights from a cast of interesting actors and aviators. We encourage you to listen to several shows. They’ll just get better and better, and they’ll leave you wanting more. Episodes typically run between 30 and 60 minutes.

https://www.rocketeerminute.com/

To get an overview of the event, listen to our 2016 interview with EAA’s Senior Editor Hal Bryan and Director of Communications Dick Knapinski. They reveal the inside-scoop on what EAA AirVenture is all about … and much more.

After you’ve listened to the interview, scroll down and see what’s happening for 2019.

In this episode of Oddball Pilot Radio, Hal and Dick share their thoughts about:

• The memories AirVenture creates, and how each one is somewhat familiar yet always unique
• What EAA and AirVenture are, how the event has evolved, grown, and improved over the years, and why it’s grown into what it is today
• How all facets of aviation are represented at AirVenture
• How EAA loves the problem of more attendees coming to the event than there are members
• The thousands of aircraft that come to AirVenture … and how they handle that
• What it’s like to put on an aviation event of this size … and the essential element that a staff of less than 200 counts on to pull this event off
• How the history of the event itself allows them to do this
• The international angle on AirVenture … he flew a what across the Atlantic? He’s here on our doorstep … now what?? (And how the EAA staff embraces such incredible attendees.)
• When you’re flying in, Hal and Dick have some very wise advice: “Read the NOTAM!”
• Where you can find important info on logistics for visiting Oshkosh and AirVenture … accommodations, camping, transportation, etc.
• How the people of Oshkosh become hosts … it has to do with pride, and a friendly midwest attitude
• The many details … what’s it like, what to expect … about flying into AirVenture, and some details that dispel the anxiety some pilots might feel about it
• The NOTAM … essential reading for every pilot arriving and departing
• Landing on … a dot?
• IFR ops. Limited but not impossible … you got it: Read the NOTAM!
• How to get an IFR reservation
• What’s on tap for this coming event. Stuff that’s never been to OSH before … and a lot is Canadian
• WWI and the lack of throttles in those aircraft … ok we digress, but it’s dang interesting!
• What the experience of AirVenture can mean for anyone developing a career as an oddball pilot
• How to easily find an interesting story: show up and start talking to people
• Planning your schedule … with tons of resources and over 1000 forums, it’s easy to learn new stuff
• The job fair is expanding to an every day event because of its popularity last year
• How to distinguish yourself as a job applicant at AirVenture … well, maybe not
• Advice for attending as a first-timer including the importance of Chapstick and sunscreen, and other sage advice

In addition to using the player above to listen to this episode, you can:

• Subscribe to Oddball Pilot Radio on iTunes
• Download this episode as an MP3 file (right-click and choose “Save As”)

What to Expect at AirVenture 2019

For AirVenture 2019, there was a lot to see and do … as usual. But given that this is the AirVenture 50^th anniversary, as well as the 50^th anniversary of other notable airplanes and events, you can bet it’s going to be a special year. Here are some highlights you might want to plan for this year. Be sure to download the AirVenture 2019 app. It helps you plan and find what you need during your visit.

And if you’re flying in, don’t forget to review the NOTAM. (Even if you aren’t flying in, it’s a rather interesting read.)

You can expect to see more than 10,000 airplanes and 2,500 warbirds, homebuilt, aerobatic, vintage, ultralight, and military aircraft on display. As if that’s not enough, here are some other highlights:

• A variety of Burt Rutan designed airplanes will be attending. They are expected to fly together at some point too.
• A squadron of restored D-Day C-47’s is flying from Normandy to Oshkosh.
• The 109^thAirlift Wing of the New York ANG will display their Herc on skis.
• Programs in the Theater in the Woods will include influencers in aviation, the Rutan brothers, as well as talks about the Concorde and 747 (it’s also the 50^th anniversary of the Boeing 747).
• Astronaut Mike Collins will be a guest to commemorate the 50^thanniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission.
• AirVenture 2019 is featuring the “Year of the Fighter” where fighters from WWII to today’s sophisticated jets will be on display. Demo teams will perform in the F-35 Lightning II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and F-22 Raptor. Talk about turning jet fuel into speed and noise!
• A P-51 reunion will feature WWII ace and National Aviation Hall of Fame member Clarence “Bud” Anderson.
• The U.S. Forest Service and other aircraft operators and manufacturers will highlight aerial firefighting.
• There’s more info on AirVenture Highlights.
• The week offers more than 1,000 forums and hands-on workshops. As always, this is a place to learn, whether it be from the experiences of a wise aviator or new skills like fabric covering or welding.
• Be sure to check out the 900 industry-leading exhibitors in attendance.

More Information

Here are some important links about EAA and AirVenture.

AirVenture.org
Specific details about the event … all the other stuff we didn’t get a chance to talk about with Hal and Dick.

EAA.org
All about the organization, membership, and other useful info.

Plan Your Trip
All the info you need to get there and have a great time.

Now, five years later, we catch up with Brad and Rob to see how their careers have progressed. Brad worked as an aviation advisor before transitioning back to fly the Gulfstream IV. Rob moved from the Twin Otter to the P-3 Hurricane Hunter. Both of their stories are interesting and inspiring … and, they offer another glimpse into the important contributions that the NOAA Corps makes every day.

In this episode, we talk with Brad and Rob about:

• How their careers and adventures have progressed since 2011
• The NOAA Corps, the officers in it, and how these two pilots got started with the Corps
• The primary reason for having a NOAA Corps of officers
• How most NOAA officers serve on ships, but a smaller subset are aviation officers
• The various aircraft NOAA flies, and what missions they perform
• The mission of the NOAA Corps … a rather unique service … and the smallest of the uniformed branches
• Why NOAA aviation, with their NAVY rank designations, are stationed at an Air Force base in Florida
• The time when NOAA crews flying a hurricane mission had no place to come back to during hurricane season
• Why NOAA flies aircraft other than the P-3 Hurricane Hunter
• What it’s like to flying into a hurricanes … why do they do that anyway?
• What Brad and Rob have done since flying the Twin Otter in 2011
• Transitioning to a staff job … and why a non-flying job is important and enjoyable
• Brad’s transition back to flying the Gulfstream IV, and the training process for qualifying in that aircraft
• What roles that Gulfstream plays in flying in and around storms … and what the equipment the crew uses to gather data about the storm
• How Rob’s career progressed from the Twin Otter as an aircraft commander and instructor to the new challenges that that experience opened up
• What it’s like to be involved in the aftermath of a major disaster
• How being selected for the P-3 bought Rob 2 years in the Navy … and why that was important
• How flying the P-3 can (and potentially can’t) have a positive impact on Rob’s career
• Why there’s not a single career path in the NOAA Corps
• The outlook for each of their careers in NOAA
• What might come after NOAA with respect to a civilian career
• How the data they collect has a direct channel back to our society … and how that data benefits everyone in the US on a daily basis
• How the data that NOAA collects specifically equates to financial resources and lives being saved when weather disasters strike
• How weather influences their day to day schedules
• How they respond to weather events, and how NOAA gets involved so rapidly
• Mission planning for rough weather … how does a go, no-go decision get made? Is there such a thing as a no-go?
• How flying in violent weather requires “thinking on your feet” to be successful … and when things don’t go as planned
• How a typical mission works for flying into a hurricane
• Who on the crew forecasts the hurricane weather they’ll fly into, and other mission planning considerations for flights into hurricanes
• What happens once the P-3 enters the eye of the hurricane
• How pilots acclimate to the rough conditions of flying into hurricanes
• What it takes to become a hurricane-qualified P-3 pilot
• Why NOAA flies a P-3, and not a C-130 like the Air Force

As a finale, Brad and Rob:

• Respond to the most difficult question posed to NOAA pilots by Oddball Pilot
• Answer the second most difficult question … and it involves, a song?

In addition to using the player above to listen to this episode, you can:

• Subscribe to Oddball Pilot Radio on iTunes
• Download this episode as an MP3 file (right-click and choose “Save As”)

Have some thoughts or a question about this episode? Leave a comment below.

More from NOAA

To learn more about the NOAA Corps, see the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps website.

To follow the aeronautical happenings at NOAA and to see some really cool photos, check out their social media channels:

Facebook page for the NOAA Hurricane Hunters
Facebook page for the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
NOAA Marine and Aviation Twitter feed
NOAA Marine and Aviation flickr pages

Eye Candy

Here’s the NOAA aviation fleet, and the mighty duo (P-3 and Gulfstream IV) prowling for hurricanes. And, a video taste of what it’s like flying into a hurricane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiU3utqb6a4

NOAA Fleet aircraft photo provided and used with permission by NOAA.

P3 and Gulfstream photo from NOAA Photo Library under Creative commons attribution 2.0 generic license.

In this episode Bryan and Marty talk about:

• How the plans for Oddball Pilot to cover the races changed unexpectedly
• A little history about the National Championship Air Races
• The six classes of aircraft racing, from biplanes to the Unlimiteds
• Why the Sport class is unlike the other classes
• The uniqueness of Formula One racing: tiny airplanes built around the pilot (hear professional air race pilot Thom Richard talk about this in a previous episode)
• What Marty learned from listening closely to the sounds of the air races
• What else happens at the air races besides planes going fast around the pylons
• Past performers, namely Art Scholl flying a Super Chipmunk, and some of the wild maneuvers he flew
• What Bryan learned from Art when they met in Seattle
• What to expect from the weather during the races (hint: well, anything)
• Some reflection on what’s changed about the event since the 1980’s and what the the Reno Air Race Association (RARA) has done to make the races better for spectators
• Why visiting the pit area is a fascinating experience by itself
• How visiting the pits gets you up close and personal with the planes and the pilots
• Why visiting the biplane and Formula One pit area is more “down home” and casual than the other classes
• A story of a first-time racer at Reno this year
• Bryan’s experience mingling with the pilots in the jet pit area
• How networking in the pits can expose possible job prospects (as Jim Dale said, being in the right place can make all the difference)
• An example of how simple it is to network with pilots at the air races
• How the races start at Reno … some from the ground, some from inflight. In fact, listen to the sounds of a race starting
• Bob Hoover’s contribution to air racing, performing at the races, and test piloting WWII aircraft … not to mention what a swell guy he really is
• Sounds of the T-6’s, Unlimiteds, and other classes racing and why each sounds so distinctive … and we included what they sound like
• What makes the Sport class so accessible for someone wanting to start racing
• How strategy and execution (in the plane and pilot flying) plays into winning the next race … and year over year
• Why Sunday is the BIG and most exciting day to watch planes fly at nearly 500 MPH
• How much faster the planes are around the course since 1964 … a huge difference
• The safety precautions RARA has implemented since the tragic crash in 2011
• The prerequisite training for pilots in order to qualify to race
• The National Aviation Heritage Invitational, and the unique plane that won in three different categories …  and the incredible history of that airplane

In addition to using the player above to listen to this episode, you can:

• Subscribe to Oddball Pilot Radio on iTunes
• Download this episode as an MP3 file (right-click and choose “Save As”)

Have some thoughts or a question about this episode? Leave a comment below.

Eye Candy

Here are a few videos and images to help round-out the stories and sounds from the 2015 Reno Championship Air Races.

For a look at what the last race on Sunday looks and sounds like:

Mr Bob Hoover himself giving Oddball Pilot the nod while talking to folks at the 2015 Reno Air Races:

The Formula One pit area:

The Heritage flight, a P-51 with an F-16 on its wing:

The Unlimiteds:

All photos © Oddball Pilot LLC

We caught up with JD in a phone conversation after the Reno Air Races. In this second of a two-part episode (here’s part one), we talk JD about:

• Planes other than warbirds … as in several historical planes … that JD owns
• Documented proof from John Glenn that he never flew one of JD’s airplanes … what’s that all about?
• Opening doors: How antique/nostalgic airplanes start conversations that lead to opportunity
• Why a Cessna 120 often gets preferential treatment over a Lear jet
• Exactly how many airplanes does someone need to own? And why that many?
• His experience of buying Canada’s last T-33’s before they were retired
• Why JD feels that owning airplanes can be a legitimate financial investment
• How the math works to make money owning an airplane
• How nostalgic airplanes create networking and job opportunities
• The story of how barnstorming in a Tigercat can get you in the door at a place like FedEx
• Air racing: how he got involved in some wild, very well-known race planes
• The Pond racer, and the cutting-edge technology it brought to air racing
• His insights about the ingenuity behind some famous race planes at Reno
• How race planes continuously evolve … like moving a wing 9 inches or bolting 130 pounds to the propeller to fix CG
• How maintenance rather than pilot skills got him the opportunities to fly so many Warbirds
• How to get into flying at the races if you don’t have a mega-dollar checkbook … and the metrics/perspective that becomes important when you can’t compete against the mega-buck competitor
• How his skills make him an aviation financial advisor
• What makes the Warbird restoration market go round … it’s not always cash
• How big is JD’s “bank”
• The benefits in his oddball pilot career … the people you associate with and keepers of history, to start
• His career path from chief pilot at the Palm Springs Air Museum to Lewis Air Legends
• His father’s admission about the measures of success
• JD’s parting advice … how to get where you want in the career you want

In addition to using the player above to listen to this episode, you can:

• Subscribe to Oddball Pilot Radio on iTunes
• Download this episode as an MP3 file (right-click and choose “Save As”)

Have some thoughts or a question about this episode? Leave a comment below.

In these videos, oddball pilots in Oregon demonstrate a supreme command of their aircraft, in these cases the Bell 206 JetRanger. One word comes to mind: finesse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSIPRA2rs6M

Heliswiss Augusta AB-206B JetRanger II photo by ClearFrost licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License. 

I caught up with JD in a phone conversation after the Reno Air Races. In Part One of this two-part episode, we hear how JD’s passion for old planes got him started as well as stories about his journey to becoming Maintenance Supervisor for over 30 pristine and flyable warbirds in Rod Lewis’ Air Legends collection. That collection includes notable planes such as Glacier Girl (fetched from under 260 feet of ice in Greenland) and Rare Bear (a notable long-time winner at the Reno Air Races ). JD has resorted and flown numerous aircraft, including the P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird), F8F Bearcat, B-17 Flying Fortress … you’ll have to listen in to hear the entire long list.

What else you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What keeps JD busy … like flying a B25, supervising maintenance at Lewis Air legends, and flying a Bearcat to weekend air shows
• How he got started in a 30-year career with warbirds
• The experiences getting started, not all in aviation, that made him realize what he did and didn’t want
• His advice about how interactions with other people can help you realize what you want
• Opportunities–those he found and those he created–and how they can help position you for what you want
• How JD first got the opportunity to fly warbirds, and how attitude played into that
• Tradeoffs: There’s definitely tradeoffs, he tells us about some, but are they so bad?
• What made it crystal clear to him–it was going to be warbirds, not something else
• Exactly how someone gets the opportunity to learn to fly a Warbird, say, like the B-25
• Volunteer organizations — about running them, and how passion plays into it
• How he got his multi-rating, and then immediately flew … a what??
• Does everyone have to sleep on a couch to make it to the big time in aviation?
• What warbirds he’s checked out to fly
• How does someone stay proficient in so many Warbirds?
• A favorite plane among warbird pilots to fly, and why
• The best birthday ever (hint … it involves a P-51)

In addition to using the player above to listen to this episode, you can:

• Subscribe to Oddball Pilot Radio on iTunes
• Download this episode as an MP3 file (right-click and choose “Save As”)

Have some thoughts or a question about this episode? Leave a comment below.

Extras

JD with one of his T-33s.

JD in formation at the controls of a Grumman F8F Bearcat.

Links

Jim refers to many different warbirds in our conversation.  Here’s some additional information about them.

Stearman

P-51 Mustang

T-6 Texan

B-25 Mitchell

B-17 Flying Fortress

P-63 Kingcobra

P-40 Warhawk

T-33 Shooting Star

P-39 Airacobra

F8F Bearcat

PBY Catalina

All photos copyrighted, provided by, and used with permission from Jim Dale.