Oh Oskosh!

Every summer for one week, more than half a million aviation enthusiasts converge on Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA to live, breathe, eat and sleep airplanes. In that one week, more than 10,000 aircraft of all sorts from the homebuilts and ultralights to the Airbus A380 and military jets fly into that and the surrounding airfields. Various events are organised including workshops on building one's own aircraft, discussion panels, new aircraft launches, talks by renown aviators and of course static and aerial displays. It is also a marketplace for almost anything connected to airplanes from whole airplanes to parts, accessories, model aircraft and sovenirs. 

As a testimony to the disciplined nature of aviators, when they leave the site after the event, not a single piece of rubbish can be found left behind. This is despite the fact that whole families practically live there in tents pitched under the wings of their aircraft.

The whole event called Airventure is run by volunteers who are members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) which has chapters all over the world. Even the flying displays are on voluntary basis. Pilots fly from all over the world in their own aircraft to attend the event making the airports there the busiest in the world once a year. Unusual air traffic control procedures are required to guide as many aircraft down or up in the shortest time possible. Many aircraft are of the same make and colour necessitating the controllers to request each particular pilot to wiggle his aircraft's wings to see which aircraft in the pack they are actually talking to.

Owners of a particular type of aircraft or members of a certain organisation may decide to fly in together in a large formation after meeting up at another city. This makes their arrivals spectacular events in theitr own right. Like other international events, there are also marchpasts of participants from the various countries bearing their national flags.

Some aviators use the event to set records such as the longest flight in a particular type of aircraft. I once met a New Zealander who flew round the world in a kitplane, stopping at Oskosh on the way. This same guy flew that aircraft round the world again later but in the opposite direction.

A few of my buddies have made it to Oshkosh and of course I too hope to make that trip one day. The upcoming Airventure dates are 26 July 2010, 25 July 2011, 23 July 2012 and 29 July 2014. 

About Oskosh by Harrison Ford, a passionate aviator

Oskosh 2009 Attendance

A Prop-Driven F16

Nowhere near the F16 jet fighter that any pilot would give an arm and a leg to fly, the Eagle 150B is a strange looking prop-driven bird with three pairs of "wings". Besides the usual main wing and a tailplane seen on most aircraft, the Eagle has in addition a pair of canards that stick outwards from under the engine. Why I liken this bird to an F16 is the feeling one gets when sitting in the cockpit. The side by side two seats in the cockpit are tilted backwards and the bubble canopy gives the pilots an excellent all-round view, both features being characteristic of the F16.

Performance-wise I like the way it handles. There is enough power from the 125hp engine and the controls are light with enough sensitivity for aerobatic maneouvres. Its capabilities are well demonstrated by the popular unofficial Eagle Aerobatic Team consisting of several retired Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots who put in an hour or so of practice each time before performing at various air shows in Malaysia and the neighbouring countries.

Flying with an instructor once, I had experienced looping in the Eagle. Although I would have preferred a more powerful engine, the loop was satisfactory as the plane first picked up speed in a shallow dive and had enough speed still to pull it over the top.

The airframe is totally made of composite material which explains why only a 125hp engine is sufficient to power it. The smooth and shining composite surface reduces drag substantially and the sturdiness of the material makes metal airplanes feel like jelly.

The single joystick rises up from the console between the two pilots so there is nothing between each pilot's legs. To the pilot it's a sidestick, just like in an F-16. On it are attached the electric trim switches (there's no trim wheel). There are two sets of flaps - one on the main wing and another on the canards. The two sets of flaps are coordinated and are operated by switches below the instrument panel.

A C172 pilot (like myself) would consider the Eagle as a more electrical and sophisticated bird. Its also like moving from a sedan to a sports car. On the other hand, the aircraft is also suitable for beginners because of its smooth handling characteristics. Many in fact had learned to fly in it.

Originally designed and manufactured in Australia, the Eagle's manufacturing rights were purchased by a Malaysian company. It is believed that its production line is now non-operational. It's a great plane to fly and I for one shall certainly miss it.

Formation Flying

On the left

A formation of Eagle 150s performing at an air show over Kluang, Malaysia.

Formation flying is  one of the more enjoyable aspects of flying and may or may not involve aerobatics. A group of two or more aircraft usually of the same type fly close together, changing the pattern of the formation as they display the flying skills of the pilots. In this picture they are in a right echelon formation.

What does it take for a pilot to fly formation safely and precisely?

The leader must know fully well not only his own aircraft's performance but also the other aircraft's capability in following his own aircraft's manoeuvres. He must also know if, by following his own aircraft's maneouvres, the other aircraft will be put in an unsafe position. More importantly, he must know if it is difficult for his team members to anticipate and follow his movements. This is one classic example where one must learn to follow before one can lead.

For the team members, the same requirements will apply but they do not have the responsibility of leading. They must concentrate on what the leader is doing and fly their aircraft in harmony with him while maintaining their relative posiition in the formation. Knowing one's aircraft intimately is therefore  mandatory.

Formation flying is easier said than done but it sure is a great sport.