Okay, everyone. Oshkosh is once again upon us. In case you don’t know already, yes, I’m going. I had an out of town work conflict come up, so I need to be in the New York area for meetings on Tuesday, but I’m flying straight there on Wednesday morning. Sadly, I’m flying as a passenger in a regional jet, so no front window view to Wittman Airport, but upon landing in Milwaukee, it’s a quick rental car drive to the real field of dreams.
It’s actually difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t been how incredible this gathering is, so I won’t try. If you’ve been, then you know what I mean and we’ll leave it at that. This is only my second year, and thanks in part to great new friends I made last year, I can’t imagine this year being any better…but I’m sure it will be, as I expand that list of aviation friends once again. Last year, Kent (of The Pilot Cast), graciously picked me up at MKE in his Skylane and allowed me to experience the “fly-in” arrival as it was meant to be my first time. Since I was a kid I had dreamed of that arrival, and I finally did it. Twice, actually, as we picked someone else up later in the week. Camping under the wing of a trusty Cessna 182…isn’t that what it’s all about? Thanks, Kent.
This year, while arriving a bit later, I’ll be staying until the bitter-sweet end, all the way through Sunday. Again, I’m camping, but this time I’ll be camping in the “drive-in” camping area of Camp Scholler. A whole new experience to be had, I’m sure. I’ll be near the base camp of many of the other new media folks who are gathering around MyTransponder’s RV. I can’t wait to be there, and especially to be giving updates to all of you.
Now…to the real hope I have for this post. Let me know if you’re going to OSH09 this year. If so, and our schedules line up, I would love to meet you, the listeners and followers of Student Pilot Cast. Use the contact link to let me know…or send me an email directly (listen to any episode for the address). I firmly believe that the best part of this gathering are the personal relationships made or re-kindled, so let’s meet face to face if you’ll be there…have a beverage, and talk about learning to fly. Follow me on twitter if you haven’t already, and send me a message there if you want to meet up real-time…that works, too.
If you’re not going to be there, stay tuned on twitter as well, as I will be updating what is going on as much as I can. I’ll be attempting to release small episodes while there as well, but last year I was hampered by very limited connectivity. Hopefully this year is better. The only luck I ever had was the press link, but I had to be at a specific place on the grounds, and even then it was iffy.
In any case…that time of year is here again, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this great aviation community in general, as well as be amongst the great folks who represent new media in aviation. I’m also very grateful to once again be making the annual migration to aviation Mecca. I hope you all can join me there; if not in person, in spirit. I’ll try to keep you posted.
I will be arriving on Thursday afternoon / night and planning to find space with the MyTransponder folks as well if there is still some space available. Look forward to meeting you in person.
Likewise, Todd. Looking forward to it.
Sorry…didn’t have connectivity most of the time…so didn’t get this. Hope everyone had fun at Oshkosh who got to go. Todd…it was great meeting you there!