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by Friday Morning Flight Plan at [date]
Almost every pilot’s bucket list has an item simply labeled “Oshkosh.” Each year, the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts one of the world’s largest airshows, AirVenture, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It’s Disneyland for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
Some gallant pilots make the pilgrimage in their aircraft so they can say they’ve rocked their wings over Fisk and landed on the purple dot. Navigating the packed conga line of arrivals is a badge of honor a pilot always carries.
However, a few airplanes arrive at the show in such a manner that they must be loaded onto a trailer to return home. Serious accidents causing bodily harm to pilots and passengers are the minority, but — considering the sheer number of aircraft flying in — they still happen every year.
Even minor incidents and accidents can damage the egos of pilots, replacing their badge of honor with an entry in the NTSB accident database.
Further, to assure public exposure of one’s aeronautical faux pas, a row of attendees alongside the runway snarkily holds up signs like Olympic judges scoring each landing. The best and worst of the bunch make it to YouTube.
As a public service to the aviation community (and your ego), we present a few tips on avoiding zeros from the judges, attention from the NTSB, and ending up as the most viewed portion of a YouTube video.
Plan hard.
Using the AirVenture NOTAM, plan your arrival, then plan it again…and again.
Fly the approach in a flight simulator.
Redbird Pro has a realistic Fisk Arrival scenario, including rapid-fire ATC chatter and plenty of other traffic in the sky.
Watch online videos of pilots making the approach.
It's a great way to get a feel for what’s in store.
Don’t fly solo.
If you're flying the Fisk for the first time, the workload can be overwhelming, making situational awareness challenging to maintain without a copilot.
Speak up.
One of the no-nos on the Fisk Arrival is talking to ATC unless safety is at risk. If it is, then ATC very much wants you to key the mic.
Know the gotchas.
Crosswinds and narrow separation are the primary culprits in AirVenture accidents. Pilots feeling pressure to get on the ground and off the runway frequently force crosswind landings or fail to maintain separation once on the ground. To that point …
You’re allowed to go around.
While that shouldn’t be in question, the urgency of ATC’s non-stop diatribe about getting down and off the runway can make you feel like you have no other options. The AirVenture NOTAM modifies several FARs during the show, but it doesn’t prohibit going around nor excuse you from your responsibility to conduct a safe flight.
This list could go on for pages. However, if you keep these high-level points in mind, you'll be on your way to capping off a safe flight with a smooth landing at the world's greatest aviation celebration. Welcome to the show.