EAA Experimental Aircraft -- Oshkosh / Airventure in 2008

[MotoCreations]

I'm headed to Chicago for a week at the end of July for business.  While there, the EAA Experimental aircraft event in Oshkosh, WI is taking place.  I figured it was worth at least a Saturday full day at the event.  Just wondering if it's worth taking another day ala Wednesday also?  Anyone ever attend?  Any suggestions or recommendations?  Thanks.

Link for the event --> AirVenture.org

[Speedbag]

I'm terrified to death of planes (that whole heights thing, coupled with the fact that I'm not in control), but the engineering aspect cannot be beat. One of the guys I work with was thinking about attending.

[MotoCreations]

I always joked about going for years -- but last year coming back from MotoGP, I stopped at Dick Rutan's shop in Mojave to visit a friend.  A one hour visit ended up being 17 hours with my head spinning in regard to construction methods / materials used / engineering aspects.  Enough so that I decided I'd do the EAA event as it is the "Best of the Best" in the world and I'm sure I will learn a few more things that will apply to some of the new products sketched out in CAD for production here.

[wbeck257]

My buddy flew in last year and spent the entire week there. I'd say for a non-pilot atleast a day, maybe even a day in a half is worth it. A lot of stuff out there. A lot of workshops you can get into too. I think he did a bunch of fibreglass / carbon fibre workshops. Spend atleast a full day there.

Go on a day when people are showing up too -- non stop landings with some neat ass planes.

[Airborne]

It is mecca for pilots in the U.S. I am finally going to make it out there this year, I think I am going to stay at least 5 days. Unfortunately I cannot fly there though because I have to bring too much stuff with me for my stay and I don't have the useful load for all that. Flying in to KOSH and having that in your log book is like a rite of passage for pilots in North America, I may even go as far and say the world as well.

You will certainly enjoy the scheduled airshow from a non pilot point of view. Oshkosh itself is a pilot's airshow though, attracting flyers not because of the airshow (which is 1st class) but because of the EAA community that comes together there every year. It would be similar if everybody with a Ducati came to one incredible track day that lasted a week. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that the EAA is to homebuilders and pilots what the DMF/DML is for monster owners.

It is a gathering of the most unique and incredible aircraft in the world, without a doubt worth a day.

[LUKE]

I live 20 miles up the lake from Oshkosh and the damn sky looks like we're under attack the whole week. 
Great fun and every flying machine in the world will be there.

[Big Troubled Bear]

Attended Oshkosh 2001 during a visit to the states, back then it definitly was worth the visit

[SacDuc]

I'm headed to Chicago for a week at the end of July for business.  While there, the EAA Experimental aircraft event in Oshkosh, WI is taking place.  I figured it was worth at least a Saturday full day at the event.  Just wondering if it's worth taking another day ala Wednesday also?  Anyone ever attend?  Any suggestions or recommendations?  Thanks.

I have nothing of value to say. But I will say that I went to college in Oshkosh for four years and every year my buddies and I would have a EEA pool. Whoever picked the correct number of planes to crash on the way to the EEA took the pot. 

The most memorable plane I recall was the one made entirely from paper. It didn't quite make it from Brazil and crashed in the Atlantic. We were all stunned. 

sac

[Ducatiloo]

I think it would be well worth the trip, I hear the shows are second to none.

[teddy037.2]

I could spend damn near a whole day just wandering around the museum, much less taking in events.

I say 2 days 

[MotoCreations]

I booked two days for the event.  Tueday being vendors area / museum.  Saturday just looking at the insane amount of airplanes there and whatever else I missed on Tuesday. 

Hoping to get a ride in the B-24 Liberator that will be nearby.  Also trying to talk a friend at Scaled Composites (Burt Rutan's outfit) to get me (2) VIP rides in their new plane for Virgin Atlantic -- hopefully I'll at least get the insiders tour of it.

Also detouring on Monday in Milwaukee to the new Harley Museum that is opening in a few weeks.  I'm not a big fan of their bikes, but I like the vintage stuff and most importantly the boardtrack racers.

I'm bringing three cameras to the event as usual.  Should have some good photographs of everything that I like at least.

Anyone else planning on attending this year?

[Drunken Monkey]

I've always wanted to fly there myself, but I've never had the chance.

Which is to say: You suck 

[teddy037.2]

Also detouring on Monday in Milwaukee to the new Harley Museum that is opening in a few weeks.  I'm not a big fan of their bikes, but I like the vintage stuff and most importantly the boardtrack racers.

if you've got the time, the engine/trans factory does guided tours of the facility. y'know, if you're into the whole machine shop thing 

[Airborne]

I will be there on tuesday, wednesday and thursday during airventure. Still ironing out the details. Pretty sure I am going to be camping as well, and possibly going by bike (the next best thing to the piper cherokee).

Is your buddy at scaled composites in a position to hire any Mechanical/Aerospace engineers? I see they are hiring. 

[sno_duc]

I've always wanted to fly there myself, but I've never had the chance.

Which is to say: You suck 

Back in 80 when I was getting my private ticket, I was offered a ride to Oshkosh in a Cessna 310 ( 1/4 of the fuel, 1/4 left seat time )
Didn't have enough vacation

ENJOY