Flying in to an airshow.

[VNugget]

As you can tell by my profile, I recently got my Private. There are 2 local air shows remaining this summer that I am going to attend, and since I now can, I am planning to fly in. I'm looking for any tips, advice, or any other thoughts all you experienced guys might have, other than the obvoious ones like checking the NOTAM/s carefully, being extremely vigilant for traffic, and being succinct on the overly busy radio (the latter of which I pride myself on). I did all my training out of a moderately busy Class D airport, and am no stranger to being number 2 or 3 for landing. I do realize, of course, that that is only a miniscule fraction of how busy the hours before an airshow will be. So what do you think? Just be extra alert, keep up my SA and have fun? Take my CFI? Drive? What are your experiences of flying in to airshows and flyins? (From newbie and experienced pilots alike)

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

dont fly to a fly in

 

[sky37d]

A great story. Well, I think so.
We drove to OSH, talked with some folks, came back and bought out skymaster. Two years later, I flew to OSH from GRR in my skymaster, for the day (Friday). WAY COOL. I had gotten the STMP, IFR, clearance, and it was straight forward. Saw some cool stuff, wanted to go back. Sat was T-Storms, so I decided to go Sunday. Read the STMP stuff, couldn't get a reservation, but it said, no reservation needed before 1200 Z. So, cool, I'll get up at the crack of dawn. I lived in AZO, kept the plane in GRR. So, I'm up early, drove to GRR, airplane out of the hangar, flight plan in the system, I'm off, like 0600 (okay 0615) local. Got to MKG, and ATC says, 'do you have a reservation number'.... No, says I, I don't need one for arrivals before 1200 Z. ATC says, 'I checked with Chicago, they are going to let you go ahead'. Of course, because I don't need a slot reservation to arrive before 1200 Z. I'm 2/3 across the lake, and MKG hands me off to Chicago.

And,

They clarify things for me. No reservation needed, because there are no landings at OSH BEFORE 1200 Z!!! I get to hold at FAH. Until they open. WHOA, haul way back on the throttles, I am no longer in a hurry. OH, and it's sparkling clear VFR. I'm at 6000, holding at the VOR, and I can see it. Finally Chicago clears me in. I'm number 1 for OSH, which is now reporting closed to VFR flights, 400 and 1.5. What a feeling. Of course,that night, I was in the melee getting out VFR, but heck, it was way worth it.

So, GO. Have fun.
Pay attention to the NOTAMS. I was going to go watch the Snowbirds at MKG, but the airport was closed from 1200 local until 1715 local, they were calling it a TFR, and I didn't feel like waiting all day after the airshow, to leave.

 

[English]

dont fly to a fly in

Are you kidding? I've flown into lots of airshows and they have ALL been a blast. The most fun was Oshkosh in 2000. I flew a 310 from SoCal and made it a two week trip, stopping at several little airports I was curious about along the way.

At Oshkosh, for example, there are pre-determined "routes" to fly, with specific altitudes for different types of aircraft. Controllers give directions over the radio, like "blue and white twin cessna, land on the green dot". There are three dots painted on the runway, and they instruct you to land simultaneously with other aircraft. You respond by rocking your wings - no responses on the radio. After you land, you exit onto the grass and taxi to your spot, which will also be your campsite for the week. Then you set up your tent next to your plane, and get ready for a week of interaction and fun with your fellow GA pilots. It's an absolute blast. I've been twice since, but airlined in, and it was nowhere near as much fun as flying in.

I still remember my Oshkosh trip as the most fun flight I've ever experienced in a light aircraft. Don't pass it up!

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

Never flown into an airshow (might try EAA one of these days). I flew before/during/after EAA out of KMSN the last few years (never flew into OSH tho). The C airspace gets split into 3 approaches and two tower freqs. Be up on your radio skills b/c you will need them.

If they are smaller airshows, sometimes they shut down the airspace before and after the event. I got that one once or twice and have to go around the airport in question while the airshow was going on.

 

[MBB]

Just about all my airshow experiences have been good flying in. Oshkosh was a little annoying. If you are flying in a higher performance airplane it's fine. If you are taking the 90kt route for GA, it can be hairy. The people who are flying those routes are usually not to proficient at maintaining airspeeds and altitudes so keep your eyes open. It definitely doesn't hurt to take someone along or an instructor. An extra pair of eyes is always better.

 

[Immelman]

Check & follow notams, and preferably call airport manager or tower before arrival. Some normally uncontrolled airports will have a temporary tower/gnd control during the event, so be sure to check before calling in on downwind.

Also, just about all airshows will officially close an airport during the duration of any aerial demonstrations... this includes lateral & vertical airspace that varies on the event; again check notams.. its almost like a TFR of sorts.

I flew into a number of low-key flyins just after my private license and enjoyed them all. Flew into oshkosh (from Oregon) in a C172 as a 200-hour, 18-year-old, by myself... one of the greatest things I did at that age!!! (lucky for me, I worked for the airplane/flight school owner and got permission to do so at a reasonable rental rate).

Oshkosh was the most fun of all. I took the VFR arrival route and yes, there is a bit of traffic. Learn to look in ALL directions, including behind you, because there will probably be someone close in if you're arriving into OSH. The most exciting part was landing on 27 with 3 other airplanes - simultaneously. Gotta love those 'dots'. The only real annoyance was being directed to park by CAP cadets whose competance at avoiding ditches and wingtips is questionable.

 

[erj-145mech]

I've flown to a number or airshows and its a blast. Go for it. Be sure to check for NOTAMS/ TFR's for time closures and temporary control towers and freq's.


Keep your head on a swivel within 5-10 miles of destination airport.

Have fun.

Dave

 

[gfvalvo]

It REALLY helps to have another pilot on-board. This is especially true when there is a lot of traffic or a special arrival proceedure (i.e. Oshkosh). As stated, read the NOTAM (print it and carry it with you), don't want to do nothing stupid in front of a large crowd

Greg

 

[Boeingman]

Just keep your eyes open and keep looking for traffic, no matter what ATC is telling you. I brought an F-4 to Oshkosh once and almost impaled a Stearman on the climbout to go home.


The thought had crossed my mind if the burner would of torched the fabric on the old girl (yes, it was that close)

 

[Big Duke Six]

It can be fun. I flew into OSH one year. I had my father with me and it was a blast airplane-camping. The only "problem" we had was the no-notice formation flying we had to do while holding at one of the checkpoints on the way down from Fon-du-lac. We were in a hold over this point and next thing we knew there was a 182 flying with us about 100 feet off our right wing. Just be cool, and bring the extra eyes others have recommended.


A normal airshow would not be as complex, but they can be a pain in the butt because of the wait to get out again when it's over.