It’s been years — no — decades, since I last went to the EAA Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Though I grew up in an aviation family, I can only remember attending one EAA. Most of my childhood was spent sitting in a little jumpseat next to my brother flying hither and yon in a small single engine plane.
So when my husband (also a pilot) and oldest son (a wannabe pilot) wanted to go to Oshkosh this year, I said, “Let’s!”
Miles before Oshkosh, we could see planes. Lots of planes. All headed towards the World’s Busiest Airport. It wasn’t unusual to see 8-10 planes all getting ready to enter the pattern. Listening to the air traffic controllers was like watching someone knit a cabled sweater while driving a Harley through a roundabout. We’re talking focus and coordination. One woman controller stood out. Her voice was clear, concise, direct, and she seemed to have the most traffic to control.
One thing all of the controllers did out of necessity was to call out, “Mooney, rock your wings.” (Or low-wing, or taildragger, or Cessna…) Looking up in the sky, you could see one lone plane far off in the distance rocking back and forth. Then you’d hear, “Nice rocking, Cessna, proceed…” That was how they made sure they were all on the same page.
Very cool to be on the ground, and yet in the middle of a communication like that.
Just like the MDA ride a few weeks earlier, it was a hot and nearly cloudless day. Perfect for craning your neck up to watch three hours of air show. I actually took a little snooze under the wing of a Breezy along the flight line. Until the pilot decided to take off!
This time around, I was more interested in the Warbirds than just about anything. I love their history. I love the paint jobs. And the untold stories behind each plane.
Can you name that plane above? Hint: Pappy Boyington. Another hint: Robert Conrad. Need another hint? Baa Baa Black Sheep.
OK, I usually only play the hint game with my kids (and friends who have to suffer through it, rolling their eyes). That’s one of my favorite planes: the Corsair.
Pappy Boyington was a WWII figher pilot who shot down a record 28 enemy planes…later he was assigned to a rag-tag group of pilots affectionately known as the Black Sheep. Hollywood dramatized (and took considerable license I have read) with the gist of the story to create the made-for-TV movie and subsequent series “Baa Baa Black Sheep” starring Robert Conrad. (Star of another of my favorite TV shows, “Wild, Wild West.” Am I dating myself? Yes. Yes, I am.)
EAA is more than just planes. It’s another major people-watching opportunity. This man found a unique way to stay cool.
Stay cool everyone!