8/1/09
Oshkosh EAA Fly In

After our visit to Motion Products in Wisconsin, we headed over to Oshkosh Wisconsin for the EAA Fly In. It’s an aircraft enthusiasts’ biggest event, and I was in the neighborhood, so why not go and check it out?

We only had a few hours to try and take it all in, and was probably like someone going to Monterey during the car weekend trying to take it all in on one day, but I figured it was better than not going at all. We headed straight for the “War Birds” section as we all wanted to see the great machines of WWII.

Although I prefer prop planes, this Saber was pretty cool.

Another must see at the air show was the new Airbus A380, the largest passenger airplane in the world. Its full length double decker configuration gave it a short stubby look, but was pretty impressive in sheer size. There are only a dozen or so of these planes flying in the world, so it was pretty cool to see one in person. Hilary Raab commented that he remembered seeing the Boeing 747 being shown in Geneva for the first time over 40 years ago, and how they were trying to figure out how they were going to mate it up to the terminal building! Maybe in 40 years, I’ll be able to tell someone when I saw my first A380!

The composite wings on this plane made a beautiful arc that you just don’t see with conventional aviation designs.

What was even more stunning was the flight demonstration. The pilot took off on a pretty steep angle and banked sharply to show what the plane could do. I knew I would never again see an A380 move like that when they are pressed into service filled with passengers!

My trip came to close, and I headed to Milwaukee to catch a flight home. I had a lot of Ferrari work waiting for my return, and a trip to Monterey to begin the madness again!

Just a reminder, I’m looking for a new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car on this website! My E-mail.

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