By Tony Wall, EAA 1226290
To celebrate 50 consecutive years of fly-in conventions in Oshkosh, we’re featuring stories of Oshkosh told by attendees remembering their special moments at EAA’s long-standing home. If you or someone you know would like to share your story of Oshkosh, email editorial@eaa.org.
My first Oshkosh experience didn’t happen until 2016, but I had thought about it for many years.
The aviation in my blood comes from both sides of my parents’ families. My great uncle on my dad’s side was a pilot for many years. He gave me my first airplane ride in his 182 at the farm in Montana.
A few years before my uncle died but after he had stopped flying, I asked him about the last airplane he owned. He perked up said, “It was a 1976 Skylane, 7377 Sierra. I have a picture of it right here.” He pulled out a faded picture from his wallet to show me (the same one from my first airplane ride). “Bought it brand new from the Cessna dealer in Denver. That was a great airplane.” He still carried his pilot certificate, too, issued in 1955!
I never got to ride with my mom’s brother when he was an active pilot, but he talked of the many trips to Oshkosh for the air show, and that always stuck in my mind.
I couldn’t afford to finish my pilot certificate as a kid in the ’80s, but I worked in airline operations for a number of years, and that seemed to satisfy my aviation cravings.
In 2015, a friend had just completed his Van’s RV-12 project and invited me for a ride. After that, I told my wife, Tina (EAA 1226291), that I missed general aviation but was sure that getting my certificate was far too expensive, especially 29 years after I gave up the first time. She insisted that I try.
Her gift to me for my 50th birthday was to help me get my certificate. With a lot of encouragement from her, I started lessons again, and I managed to finish in six months.
That July, the same friend with the RV-12 invited me to go along to AirVenture 2016. That was a great experience in homebuilt camping. After that, I decided that maybe we could afford an airplane. Sure enough, we bought a 1973 Skyhawk and joined our local EAA chapter.
My wife and I flew our Skyhawk to Oshkosh for AirVenture 2018. Due to impending weather along our route, our easy overnight trip from Montana turned into a long, but relaxing, one-day trip all the way to Oshkosh.
We arrived the Wednesday before AirVenture. I think we were about the 10th aircraft in general aviation camping and really enjoyed the quiet of those first few days. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of AirVenture, too, but those first few days were so nice. We decided we’ll plan the same early arrival this year as well.
We’ve made some friends at AirVenture and are looking forward to meeting up with them and making more friends this year.