2009 Around the Field columns online

You can read the ATF columns I've been writing daily for the AirVenture Today newspaper here:

• Sunday (Day 0)
  
• Monday (Day 1)
  
• Tuesday (Day 2)
  
• Wednesday (Day 3)
  
• Thursday (Day 4)
  
• Friday (Day 5)
  
• Saturday (Day 6)
  
• Sunday (Day 7)
  

AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 Update

We've been having so much fun here at AirVenture that blogging has gotten a little by the wayside.

The attendance seems to be pretty spectacular so far. Both the airplane camping and the Tent/RV camping seems to be extremely full. A couple of times this week arriving planes have been turned away because there were no more spaces in the North 40 campground.

Up until this morning the weather has been terrific. Sunny, a little cool for the season, but very comfortable. No noticeable humidity.

There are a lot of extra special planes here this year. The huge AirBus A380 is obviously getting a lot of attention. Burt Rutan's White Knight 2 is popular. The "air-crane" helicopter "Elvis" is very cool, and does fly-bys with water drops in front of the crowd each day.

2009 seems to be a watershed year for the existence of attendee created media coming out of the convention grounds. There's all sorts of streaming video, twittering, blogging, flickr pic posting going on. There appears to be more people than ever before who are enjoying the show remotely. People who are arriving later in the week, or not at all. If you're so inclined, follow me on Twitter at @jackhodgson or search for the Twitter "hashtag" #OSH09.

Check out the audio feed and webcams being run by EAA Radio

Blogging isn't the only thing that's has suffered from all the business. I haven't had much chance to get around and see things. I'm hoping to spend some time later today walking the exhibit halls.

If you have any questions about what's going on here, post them as comments, or email them to me at jack@uncontrolledairspace.com.

Predator UAV at OSH Behind the Scenes

EAA produced video.

AirVenture 2009 Day One

Well finally we've made it to opening day of Oshkosh 2009.

It's just before 7am here on the field, and things are waking up for what is shaping up to be a big first day.

The most notable special attractions today are the arrival of the "Elvis" Skycrane helicopter, and also the arrival of White Knight 2. I'll be getting pics, and maybe video of that and posting it here.

In about half an hour I'm meeting a UCAP listener to get a ride in his Navion. I've been looking forward to this for a few weeks now. It's unusual for me to get up in the air in ANY aircraft during OSH week, so it's cool to be going flying. And I'm especially excited to get a chance to experience this unique warbird. More on that when I'm back on the ground.

Pics from Oshkosh

I've posted some early pics from AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.

Welcome to Oshkosh

Today is my first full day here in Oshkosh for AirVenture 2009.

Although there's a lot of activity around the field it's nothing compared to what is to come.

Exhibitors are setting up all over the field, in the new and old exhibits areas. A handful of attendee airplanes have already arrived, but the North 40 parking areas are still mostly empty grass. That will change very soon.

As EAA has been telling us all winter, there are some notable changes to the grounds. More on that as the week progresses, but I can attest to the fact that the grounds have seen more year-to-year change than I've seen in over 10 years. Not since the arrival of the big exhibit hangars and the permanent Forum buildings, have we seen this much change from one year to the next.

One area that is already hopping is Camp Scholler, which, as usual for this time, has lot and lots of people already set up.

OSH Suggestions from Max Trescott

CFI Max Trescott has a nice list of AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 highlights.