Story and Photography By Robbie Culver
For those looking for something new at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, there is a hidden gem called Camp CubCrafters just 15 minutes away. It’s located at Gallinger Airport (51WI) on the north side of Oshkosh, just at the edge of the Class Delta airspace. A shuttle is available to and from Wittman Regional Airport for those who need it.
Camp CubCrafters is hosted Monday through Friday during AirVenture and starts after the exhibit on the show grounds closes, and usually ramps up about 5:30 to 6 p.m. CubCrafters demo rides are a big part of the experience, and pilots can sign up for a flight at the booth located at 272/273/274 next to the Rotax booth behind Hangar A, or on-site at Camp CubCrafters. The airport’s address is 3485 Vinland St. in Oshkosh, and is easily found by the large CubCrafters banners waving at the entrance. Hickory Oaks campground adjoins the airport.
Demi Bamber, marketing coordinator for CubCrafters, said the event has its roots in the company’s displays at AirVenture from around 2008. Since that time, the camp has grown “because we brought our backcountry energy over here.” There is dinner, camaraderie, and a “lot more freedom” being located outside the Oshkosh airspace. Being able to offer demo flights is a huge part of the experience.
The event is open to customers and anyone interested in the aircraft. Bamber describes the demo flights as “the full sensory experience” that transcends any conversation about the flights. “A lot of people who are familiar with the stories of Cubs and what it is like to be in them don’t really understand” what a Carbon Cub is capable of. “It opens their mind up to all the things this airplane really can do.”
“A big part of this is, we want to give people that sensory experience.” The company’s dealers are a huge part of Camp CubCrafters, as they provide the demo rides. Word of mouth is a huge sell-ing point for the aircraft. Having the demo rides off-site offers a “lot more one-on-one time” to talk about the aircraft.
CubCrafters invites anyone interested to stop by and “eat a meal, enjoy the breeze, and watch the sunset.” For more information, visit CubCrafters.com.