Maybe don’t Fly Solo - AirVenture Arrival - World’s Busiest Airport!

The most challenging approach + Landing a Pilot can face!
Giveaways, 250+ back catalogue episodes +more at www.flightchops.com
In this episode of Flight Chops, we’re sharing tips and insights from experts and insiders about how best to prepare for, and execute your arrival into #AirVenture, the world's biggest #Aviation event!
If you’re planning for 2023, come visit the Hartzell booth to see the RV-14 and get a fist bump!
The rest of my event scheme will be at www.FlightChops.com, posted on the various socials, and in the Flight Chops community mailer this week.
Fred Stadler has been the EAA lead on the #Oshkosh NOTAM for 30 years. A long time pilot and mechanic, Fred also volunteers at the EAA Pioneer Airport, flying old airplanes and Young Eagles.
To learn more about volunteering during AirVenture, visit the EA website, or try this link:
www.eaa.org/eaa/support-eaa/v...
Ed Wischmeyer is an aviation safety researcher who asks questions like, why do pilots only lose control in turns at low altitudes? At AirVenture 2023, he will be presenting forums on Setting Reasonable Expectations for Angle of Attack, Base to Final Turn Loss of Control, and the Expanded Envelope Exercises®, a fun way to make pilots safer and more at home flying their everyday planes. He is also a widely published aviation journalist.
Ed’s events at Osh 2023:
(they're all at 10am)
Monday: NAFI tent behind Garmin
Tuesday: Forum tent 3
Friday: Pilot Proficiency Center
And thanks to CFI Claire for being a good sport when Ed introduced me and we threw a camera in her face for comments with no notice :)
Productions like this wouldn't be possible without the help and support of my Patron’s. I want to thank all of you for your ongoing support! To become a part of the FlightChops’ Patreon crew and gain access to exclusive raw cuts, behind the scenes videos, and more, visit:
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
Visit www.FlightChops.com/ for behind-the-scenes #Aviation content, giveaways and to search episodes by aircraft type!

[@tk27a]

Steve, imagine going back in time seven years and showing this video to your younger self, flying solo to Oshkosh in *your* RV-14, performing those incredible landing maneuvers, and more. What an amazing journey you've had! Be proud of your accomplishments and keep up the great work!

[@FlightChops]

Thanks for this reminder to take a breath and look back occasionally - I can find myself on a bit of a treadmill and maybe don't give myself enough credit for how much progress has been made.

[@usmcmech96]

Big tip is to NOT bring the whole NOTAM in the cockpit with you. Trim out the parts that don't apply to your airplane. I had 6 double sided pages that covered everything I needed to know between Endeavor Bridge and OSH and a 3X5 card that had the crucial information such as frequencies.

[@FlightChops]

That’s a good idea. Did you also have the holds on your printed pages?

[@usmcmech96]

@@FlightChops I think I had one pair for the arrival and holds, one each for the two runways, one for diverting, and one taxiway diagram ready in the cockpit. That takes care of 99% of anything that you need to know between Milwaukee and the South/North 40. I did have a full copy stowed under my seat but I never looked at it.

[@gmonnig]

Out of the last 15 or so years of flying into OSH, I’ve only flown in solo one time. It was quite memorable due to the huge volume (the first AirVenture after COVID) and high workload. All the excitement adds to the experience. It’s nice to have someone with you, even if they aren’t a pilot. Having a passenger looking for traffic, holding a clipboard, being ready with parking signs, or even grabbing a bottle of water for you makes the whole thing less stressful.

[@wyattguthrie4517]

Steve, I talked with you at the show about the incident with the aircraft landing the wrong way on the runway. My talk with you was very professional, informative and educational about flying an approach at such a busy airport. Your video is a great representation of the amount of focus and difficulty of flying into this event. My experience was very similar, however we came at a very busy time and i was amazed at how much the controllers are doing. There was hardly a point at which they weren’t talking! I also understand the strangeness of flying a low turn on final or right traffic or many of the other non common approaches. Our group does a lot of “bush type flying” and we are accustomed to this but are aware how strange this flying can be to many people who never experience it! Your Video is fantastic and I want to thank you for such a great conversation at the show and how great of a person you really are!

[@FlightChops]

Appreciated!

[@ProfSimonHolland]

my big advantage for the airshow arrival was regularly flying into KOSH on non air show days. Big TIP. practice spot landings with a CFI at your local airport.

[@hawkdsl]

Can't make it out there this year, but for sure next year. It's such a great time. If y'all are going for the first time, here is some advice from a multi time attendee; Get a giant safari type hat that can cover the back of your neck. 1 day without neck protection is a sunburn you don't want no part of. There is no place to sit, and virtually no shade of any kind. A light back pack for some drinks and a way to hold a fold-able beach chair is a must. You will walk hundreds of miles. Use the trams, and even consider renting the electric scooters. See y'all next year.

[@gix40]

See you guys there can't wait😊. I'll be on the Delta A350.

[@clarencewiles963]

Good reminder the pilot is still in command. ✅ The information given out in this is a good example of a review before arrival 😎

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Such a great video. To make this work as a 'story', and make it make sense will have taken so much work in the writing/post production. You made that part of it look easy, such that your viewers wouldn't know. So top marks Steve. You're a pro.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks my friend - I always appreciate when people notice the post production work, even though the goal is to make it invisible :)

[@dennislyons3095]

I have flown into AirVenture 10 times since 1977. Nicely done preparing those who have not done it yet. It's not scary, just have to pay attention & remember to fly the airplane you are in. Taking your show airplane in for the first time is very special. Mine was in 2006 in my 1942 DGA-15P.

[@JVAce-AirAdventure96]

Omg this is a great video. I myself am also a flightline operations volunteer at Oshkosh during AirVenture. I however volunteer in the camping and parking area. The group that parks the aircraft in the field in camping or parking. Thanks for including our group in your video!

[@bruschi8148]

Controlled chaos! The pic is always the authority

[@tyler_russell]

Good video Steve. I had to go around on my second trip to OSH because of traffic behind me in 2019. I was vectored for a fun view all around the airport airspace, but was safely down in 5-10 mins. Wasn't too bad at all! Everyone fly safe!

[@GlensHangar]

Flying in solo this year myself - but I'll be arriving on the Thursday before the show starts, so hopefully not as hectic.

[@bobninemire6859]

Piece of cake ;)

[@aviation4life640]

What’s the tail number? I’ll be looking for it haha.

[@FlightChops]

Yeah - I went on Thursday before the NOTAM was active in 2021 as it was the first trip with the RV-14 and I didn’t want the stress of the Fisk arrival procedure.

[@goatflieg]

I purposefully didn't watch this before flying to OSH this year because I didn't want to distract myself from my own mindset for arrival. Now that I watched it I wished I had earlier, because it would have been a great topic of conversation when I saw you and Dave there. Many good points and good advice here, but what struck me personally is that unusual approaches don't seem to bother me much. It seems to me that I don't need a half mile stabilized approach to make a good landing. I handle each approach in the way that it requires and make sure the airplane is within its comfort zone. Low base-to-final turn to a quick touchdown doesn't rattle me as long as I have the right airspeed and the airplane feels happy. I've only two landings at OSH so far; one on 18 and one on 27, and they both went really well. Studying the Notice and knowing what to expect helped me to adapt to what I had to do. Of course, arriving on Friday probably helped a lot... but watching this one made me feel better about my own approach and the results I had. I did pretty good, both years... and that's a nice feeling to have when looking back on them.

[@hillcrestannie]

This will be my 3rd year . First year flew in with a friend in an RV. Last year flew in on a B-25. I’ve been planning on flying my C170 in this year by myself but I’m having 2nd thoughts. Have been practicing crazy approach’s but not sure I want to do it without an extra set of eyes.

[@wheelspinner20]

Wow what a comprehensive breakdown! Really enjoyed the details!

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@publicmail2]

Even non pilots can look all around if you tell them to, especially near RIPON. And no non flight chatter near RIPON till landing.

[@ofirgal2210]

The best sentence here in this video is plan for an alternate, and be surprised you arrived at Oshkosh. That way you know you have an out and plan for the worst but get the best

[@Aerosnapper]

Love it - and not just because I had the privilege of appearing in it meeting Flight Chops at the Flight Line Operations building.

[@rn2811]

It amazes me how many times I’ve heard guys over the radio going into Oshkosh saying to atc that they’re at minimum fuel. Anyway, I prefer to fly into KFLD much easier.

[@FlightChops]

That’s cheesy to find yourself fuel critical on the way to Osh. I don’t really have sympathy for that kind of poor planning.

[@GooberPilot]

I am thinking of volunteering as a marshaller for next year!

[@FlyingDarkLord]

I doubt I will ever be lucky enough to fly in for this event, but I still loved watching this video! Beautifully edited too 😊👍🏼

[@jeffreyscholfield6659]

Flying out to Wisconsin on Monday for the airshow! I will be working with the Civil Air Patrol, hope to see you there!

[@3dogman311]

Love this. Very informative. Fred's experienced input was a BIG help..! Thank you.

[@1hornet1]

My gosh, I am so far away from getting to do this. At least I will FINALLY get to spend two days at the show this year. Thanks for the great video brother!

[@crtzmo]

wow, tense! i've never been, but hope to some day. tx for sharing that!

[@pistolpete6321]

Great video! Nice job in a very complex situation!

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Makes me that much happier that I'm driving. 🙂 I've watched folks landing at Airventure... even Jack Roush when he crashed... and it always makes me a bit anxious. Best wishes for everyone flying in!

[@FlightChops]

Fair.

[@Mark-ir9gl]

Brilliant and informative video 👍👏🏻

[@ChrisB257]

Stressful Steve (hairy?!) - but your experience is key to the whole issue, same with Dave. Hope this year goes well.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Always easier with a right seater next to you. Plus you get to enjoy the event so much better . And they can swelter in the heat as well.

[@farmgene]

Nice video!

[@nickwulf]

Hell yeah FINER POINTS

[@sociopathicnarcissist8810]

This may be my new favorite episode ever!

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it! I tried to make this one the definitive “Osh arrival video”

[@goatflieg]

@@FlightChops It was great that you were able to capture both your arrival and Dave's arrival; quite different from each other and both great examples to learn from,

[@ryanflysss]

Tell your friend sorry for the airport closure at KUNU. I am a line tech there and we get Cessnas to Oshkosh every year and he just happened to show up during our mass arrival when they left.

[@FlightChops]

Yeah - when I saw the footage, I knew that was it :P I worked with the Cessnas mass arrival group in 2016 or so...

[@anonymous-nobody1]

Showed me landing in my plane roughly 1/2 through the video. Funny thing was he was talking about doing a go around, guess what i had just completed a go around due to a canard wing aircraft not talking to the tower cut in front of me. Tower asked if i was able to follow him in and i simply responded "unable" and was given instructions to make a 360 and rejoin the final and land on the green dot.

[@FlightChops]

Hey right on - I always love it when people notice themselves in the videos 👊

[@usmcmech96]

Hey, that's me at 20:28 in the red and white Citabria! I'm famous now, LOL.

[@derekradcliffe3313]

Steve, love your videos. Have recently been bingeing them! In your flight here you mentioned several times about temperature issues. Is there a solution to better manage your temps without having to fly higher and faster? Am curious if there is something you could have done different in the build to make temperature more manageable? Or is it an engine flaw?

[@FlightChops]

Thanks! And yeah, it’s not the engine so much as the way it is tightly cowled and maybe the oil cooler undersized? But anyway, it is in a safe zone (it tends to stabilize around 210 when flying slow on a hot day, and will go up to the high 220’s when taxiing after landing on a hot day. Redline is 235, and I’m told it is fine to be close to that, I just like to avoid it.

[@aritapper4279]

It'll be my first time back to Osh in a few years, but see you there Steve. I'll try to make sure to swing by the Hartzel booth.

[@FlightChops]

I will publish a more specific schedule on the various socials, but will make Hartzell my main base with the plane.

[@FlightChops]

And enjoy the show! Are you flying in?

[@aritapper4279]

@@FlightChops Nope, still working on my PPL

[@FlightChops]

Right on - keep at it - the PPL is such an awesome achievement

[@freema22]

3:30 KPTK!

[@moistdaddy451]

🎉🎉🎉

[@tomweichert4217]

Dude that was a narley landing!

[@FlightChops]

Yup 😂😬

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

I’ve flown into Oshkosh for Airventure maybe 15 times solo. Just got back a couple of hours ago, in fact. My process is to thoroughly study the NOTAM in advance and prepare and print a single page summary in large font of all the key elements including VFR way points, frequencies, routing between hold points, etc. I also print all the runway diagrams on one sided individual pages. Enroute, I stick my summary on the pax side window so I don’t have to look through the whole NOTAM for info while flying. Then, after I get the final runway assignment at FISK I pull the runway sheet out and stick it on the side window too. Freqs are already printed on my summary as well as the colors and dot sequence for each runway. You don’t know what VFR entry point you will get until you are relatively close to Ripon and you don’t know for sure what runway you will get until FISK so you must have all the info right there. When things get busy you may have to change your entry point multiple times which happened to me this week as I was directed from Ripon to Rush to Green then to Puckaway holds (yikes). The trick is in the preparation and having the info you need right at hand because things really get confusing very quickly as you get to within 50 miles. You can’t be pouring through the NOTAM looking for runway info and freqs while you are in the rumba line or about to enter the approach with a couple hundred airplanes flying within 5 or 10 miles of you at the same altitude. The approach works fine. The biggest problem is people that cut in line, fly the incorrect altitude or airspeed or don’t follow the assigned routing between VFR waypoints.

[@Brantel.]

More and more RV’s flying the high route into Osh. 😢

[@FlightChops]

Interesting. What are your insights in that? Are they doing it because they can, or because they need to? In my case if I flew 90 on a hot day for that long, the oil temp would stabilize below redline, but I’d rather avoid that.

[@Brantel.]

@@FlightChops the NOTAM states “for aircraft unable to operate comfortably at 90 knots” & “faster aircraft use 135 knots and 2300ft if needed for safety of flight”. All of the current RV airplanes should be able to operate comfortably at 90 knots all day long. If an RV14 can’t do that, it needs more work to address cooling issues. I think most RV’s take the high route because they want to not because they need to. Failure to address poor cooling performance may result in a “need to” case that could be eliminated and shouldn’t exist in the first place. Thousands upon thousands of RV’s have flown into Osh without “needing to” fly the high route.

[@FlightChops]

Fair. I don't "need" to fly the fast arrival, I'd just rather avoid to oil getting that hot... So I'll reevaluate that this year then. But there's not much that can be done with mine in terms of changing the cooling - I'll ask other RV pilots what kinda temps they're seeing flying that long, that slow in hot summer ambient temps.

[@edcew8236]

In my RV-9A with an 87 knot flap speed. 90 knots was enough nose high to follow the tracks or the traffic. So I cheated on the flap speed.

[@YOWValley]

Sadly too many idiots come to AirVenture who either didn't read the notice, or worse, read it but decided they knew better than ATC and the EAA, i.e. sending position reports to ATC , joining the approach at random places (not even at the published transition points) when ATIS clearly states the current active transition point. I actually heard a controller tell a pilot who felt they needed to chat with ATC "we will do the talking"! We were cut off no less than 3 times and as a result the idiots who injected themselves into the approach at random places were actually accommodated by ATC (not the fault of ATC, they are trying to keep us all safe) and those of us following the notice were sent on a cross country jaunt back to Endeavour Bridge, multiple times. I will never fly into KOSH again. Those offenders should be identified, fined, shamed, and banned from flying in to KOSH for a period of time after which if they should be required to pass a test that shows they actually read and understood the notice. (The data is there for all of us to see). If the procedures are followed as documented the approach and landing may be "challenging" but not unsafe!

[@zappatx]

Why dont they move the event to Salina, Kansas? They have a 15,000 foot runway. Plus more area to camp & stuff. Indoor parking as well.

[@edcew8236]

The museum, the volunteers, and the infrastructure aren't there. Not a bad idea if starting from scratch, but...

[@Hayden_TGM]

Quick question, would the cowl flaps supposed to help with oil cooling or isn’t it a thing on the 14?

[@FlightChops]

Yes, I fly with it open all the time when it is hot out.

[@JohnBaleshiski]

At 6:38, Go CTWG/CAP!

[@stephencaudle1766]

Listen, if you just so absolutely HATE flying solo, I'd be satisfied to fly with you if you so insisted...

[@nealbrassington8189]

👍

[@colinwallace5286]

If the guy pushing varied pieces of tin says “Good Job”, that’s what he thinks. Take it, and go get a pleasingly cold beverage to enjoy as they park your awesome little plane with all its friends on display.🤷🏻‍♂️😎

[@derekradcliffe3313]

Steve, how many hours do you have and how many are you flying each year?

[@FlightChops]

I’m still under 1000 total but have been flying a lot since the RV-14 came online - well over 100 hours last year alone. 😃

[@derekradcliffe3313]

@@FlightChops do you have a run down of your operating costs for the RV? And what was the build cost? I realize it may be in one of your videos. Haha. But not sure how to search through. And also realize sponsorships may make some of those questions hard to quantify. And also. What would you do differently on your build of you started over?

[@FlightChops]

@@derekradcliffe3313 this is literally the subject of the next video. At least the component costs and my overall review and thoughts on what I would do differently. I didn’t think of actually also covering the operating costs but maybe that’s a good idea. I expect to be publishing that one at the end of this week. 👊

[@derekradcliffe3313]

@@FlightChops looking forward to it. I’m going to Osh next week and hoping to buy a plane soon. So. Learning everything I can.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Only pilots who have flown into OSH know what “ rock your wings” means 😂

[@cmonkey525]

I’m curious why you didn’t address the wrong way landing that caused you a go around.

[@FlightChops]

...because this video was shot arriving to AirVenture 2022, and published the week before AirVenture 2023 :). I am actually going to release the go around video (from my 2023 arrival) soon, as opposed to saving it for before AirVenture 2024 like I normally would.

[@Journeyman1642]

I THOUGHT OSHKOSH WASNT TILL THE 24th???

[@FlightChops]

That's correct. This was filmed last year, and I saved it to publish right before this year's event. 🥸

[@colinwallace5286]

It’s a good thing they changed the name to “notice”. I mean, think of all the female pilots who thought they weren’t allowed to read it…🙄🤣

[@paulcarstens2601]

Yikes! My cringe meter is redlined. Low-flat turning approaches, high-steep, fast approaches and chaotic nose-to-tail ground ops. All created and supported by smart, eminently experienced, dedicated people who should know better. And pilots are supposed to practice these before coming? If you wouldn’t do these maneuvers on your private pilot check ride, why do them here? Good risk mitigation is shown here, e.g. thorough planning, diversion when needed, and SiriusXM weather. Let’s strive for more of that with reasonable stabilized approach criteria.

[@edcew8236]

There are so many airplanes, and so many simultaneous traffic patterns that there's not room for stabilized approaches, as was pointed out in the video. You won't necessarily be thrown a curve ball landing at the show, but if you are, you need to be able to handle it. And remember that private pilot check ride is to *minimum* standards. Oshkosh is way more than minimum standards -- and can be flown safely -- but not if Oshkosh is where you do those things for the first time. Practice!

[@SoloRenegade]

one thing from flying helicopters, we flew low level a lot, 500ft while cruising. and we maneuvered a lot low level. granted "spins" aren't an issue with helicopters. So I've never been hesitant to maneuver a little low level, just never aggressively, and best to anticipate and stay ahead of the aircraft. To me there is nothing abnormal nor unusual about these approaches. But I fly and teach differently. this notion of "stabilized approaches" is taken way too far. I have had this debate for years with many pilots, and always win the argument about what is and is not a stabilized approach. I have a different mindset that works with students, and enables me to fly pretty much anything to a good landing even without knowing all the performance numbers or what the sight picture is, etc. But by the time I finished all my flight training I had flown 14 different airplanes and helicopters, and during my commercial airplane ratings I flew 5 different aircraft regularly. And add in all my helicopter training in 3 different airframes, and tailwheel, etc. I had to develop methods that worked for ALL aircraft, and it serves me well and makes me a better pilot. CFIs get mad at me for my method, but they can never prove their way is better (I can win on both logical reasoning and aerodynamics reasoning), and I often out fly them doing it my way too. And as I pointed out, I've had great success with student pilots flying my way too. it is a more intuitive method. People need to stop thinking the only way to fly is like an airliner. Light GA aircraft are not airliners. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. So focus on aviating first, and get good at it. Once you get good at it, the rest comes more easily. My method enables a lot less brain power dedicated to flying, reducing mental workload during stressful periods, and enables ease of adapting to unusual situations with little preplanning or forethought. ATC controllers at airports I frequent love me, as I am extremely flexible and they use me to fix spacing and sequencing issues with other aircraft in the pattern. I also was able to act as a mobile ATC from my airplane at a local burger fly-in when traffic got chaotic (nearly 80 aircraft showed up to a tiny echo airport). I had to sequence everyone and got pilots to stop cutting each other off, turned a sketchy situation into a safe and organized lineup of aircraft. And I was able to do that while approaching for landing myself (I did it because I didn't want to die in a midair and planes were approaching from every direction and multiple pilots were behaving unprofessionally and not respecting right of way nor paying attention).

[@737787]

Sounds Interesting but what exactly is your “method”?

[@alanglen5902]

Background music was / is very irritating. What does it add??? Content is interesting enough to sustain viewing without the background noise !!!

[@philipcobbin3172]

Did it in 18 when morons re-enacted the Battle of Britian. Remember you are Pilot in Command. If they tell you something to do that will end down in the road (go to another airport) put your foot down. I had a critical fuel state and after chewing ATC out I finished with the why, critical fuel state because they lost me on rode down them railroad tracks. REMEMBER you are in the Aircraft, ATC is on a bar stool. He screws up he goes home, you, well it's a tag on your toe. Oh and I have to fly it solo. Regret not putting at least one hard point on one of the wings, just sayin.

[@pesto12601]

A big disaster is going to happen here and then that will be the end of this method of arrival... seems to have gotten too big to deal with .

[@eds.173]

I used to think that too but it hasn't happened yet. Actually the safety concern and complaints over the arrival led to adding the Transitions which I think has greatly improved the safety of the arrival.

[@pesto12601]

@@eds.173 We'll see... hopefully I'm wrong but I can see someone not landing coordinated midfield on a steep bank and plowing into the parked planes and the crowd... and bye bye oshkosh!

[@eds.173]

@@pesto12601 Landing is different than a mid-air. At AirVenture there's usually one or more landing or base to final incidents every year leading to damage to life and limb not to mention the plane, but there hasn't yet been a crowd incident yet. Knock on wood but that and the lack of a mid-air given the 10,000 arrivals every year seems like a truly amazing statistic.

[@AlexM2299]

@@eds.173To add to this too, there’s a pretty huge distance between the crowd line and the runways. So while I would still say “hasn’t happened yet,” I’d like to think we are safe from a crowd event happening. But knock on wood.

[@tootallsvlog103]

My opinion but it's a place looking for an accident. You are being asked to do things against better judgment.

[@edcew8236]

Only if you haven't practiced and aren't prepared.

[@antr7493]

I know it's a aviation channel. You have to give it up for that Follow Me car 1:30

[@bobninemire6859]

..........................................The take away .............................READ THE NOTICE !!!