Most Canadian Oshkosh Ever!

April 2016 - Not only do we have the Canadian Snowbirds performing at AirVenture Oshkosh this year, we will also have a much larger Canadian breakfast (our second annual) and significantly improved seating in the Canada Tent for our seminar topics of specific interest to Canadian fliers and those interested in flying to Canada. We will try to ensure that ALL Canadians can get a ticket to this fabulous breakfast, with great speakers.

You can find out more about the Snowbirds dates and activities here. As you will notice, it was the early ’80s last time the Snowbirds thrilled crowds at Oshkosh with their precision flying.

Since it’s going to be such a great year for Canadian EAA members to visit Oshkosh, why not consider volunteering. Many of us volunteer locally in several ways, but volunteering at AirVenture can become a very satisfying experience in its own right. Not only do you find the satisfaction of having helped out your fellow aviators, you also can learn a lot, spend a more active time, and you might develop lifelong friendships, as many have, that will bring you back year after year. The volunteer application information goes online April 15, which should be just about when you receive this month’s Bits and Pieces. You can fill out the application by going to this link to volunteer at Airventure. As our founder Paul Poberezny used to say, “We may come for the airplanes, but we come back for the people.”

Our newest member of the EAA Canadian Council, Jeff Seaborn, offered these links to two articles he and his son were responsible for. The first is a humorously written article about the testing phase of his RV-7 in 2009. It’ll make you dizzy.

This second article was written by Jeff’s son, Connor, who was 9 years old at the time. It was his reflection on his first flight to Oshkosh with his dad. It’s a great perspective on a youngster’s first exposure to AirVenture.

When I grew up in the United Kingdom, I listened to a radio show called Desert Island Disks. It was a great way to get to know a celebrity and followed a strict format, giving opportunities for some fascinating insights into the guest of the week. They were allowed 10 records they could take with them onto a theoretical desert island and then were asked what book they would take and what other essential items and why.

Chapter 245 has a great idea for their newsletter, which seems to be loosely based on the same idea. How well do you know the background of the pilots you fly with? The Ottawa Carp chapter has started profiling a different pilot in every newsletter. The monthly articles follow a questionnaire format including not only the pilot’s flying activities but also their favourite book, movie, and career. Hopefully none of Chapter 245’s pilots will ever become stranded on a desert island though.

In the same vein, why not tell your fellow readers about something that you think your chapter does rather well. Best practice sharing can enhance everyone’s aviation experience. Drop us a line and tell us what unique activity you’re pleased about that your own chapter does.

So, whether you’re planning to volunteer at AirVenture, learn some new skills, renew old friendships, or all of the above, it’s time to start planning for that trip to Oshkosh in the last week in July. See you there!