B2OSH 2008 Annual Review
"The best ever in every respect"
"The best ever in every respect"
Review of 2008 B2OSH from ABS Magazine by Larry Gaines
Bonanzas to Oshkosh XIX was, perhaps, the best ever in every respect. Pleasant weather and uncommonly cool and smooth air prevailed as 85 Bonanzas and 8 Barons flew the world’s largest annual formation of civilian aircraft from Rockford, Illinois to the world’s greatest aviation exposition – AirVenture Oshkosh!
Flight Leader Max Ringo flew a near-perfect speed and altitude profile, resulting in the best-behaved flight in recent memory – maybe the best, period. Max’s wings in the lead element were skillfully flown by Art Brock and Jim Sanders. The take-off required slightly less than 9 minutes, the cruise legs of the flight were uneventful, and all 93 aircraft safely landed in 15 minutes. The key word in the previous sentence is ‘uneventful’! There were no take-off aborts and spacing on final approach yielded no go-arounds. Going around when the approach doesn’t look right is strongly encouraged (and rewarded), but this year there was simply no need. A telling statistic: This was, by far, the best year for radio discipline. There was a 22 minute period of radio silence!
For those who have not met Max, he is a friend of prominent ABS member Kevin O’Halloran. Max is well-known as the hard-working young man who helps B2OSHer’s push back aircraft, set up tents, walk wings, and generally be as helpful as possible. Max is 19 years old and recently delivered the Valedictory Address for his high school senior class. Multi-engine and IFR rated, he will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall, seeking a degree in Aviation Management. It is not an exaggeration to call Max ‘the future of aviation’.
Upon arrival, the group was treated to a party hosted by none other than the ever-generous Dr. O’Halloran. Endless pizzas, plenty of beer, soda pop and cold water, and of course, Margaritas, were consumed with great enthusiasm. John “Weebs” Wiebener cranked the frozen concoction out with reckless abandon using a chain saw motor- powered blender featuring handlebars and twist-grip throttle. After tents were pitched and sufficient after-pizza time had elapsed, young appetites were recharged. KO threw an Ice Cream Social for the kids. When the B2OSH junior population had their fill, there remained enough ice cream for Kevin & crew to actively solicit passers-by with kids to stop and enjoy the festivities and the cold, creamy treat. Owners of brand “C” and “P” (and the new plastic “Brand C”) can’t help but see us Bonanza owners as the fine folks we are.
Kevin O’Halloran was honored by those he fed and watered in a special way. Al DeMarzo commissioned caricature art, and Cygnet Aerospace and B2OSH split the cost of making “flight shirts”. Over 200 bright red T-shirts with a cartoon drawing of Kevin in his beloved Debonair greeted him as pilots and passengers piled out of their Bonanzas and Barons.
The arrival Margarita Party and Ice Cream Social were but two of several social events that make B2OSH the great experience it has grown to become. L-3 Communications hosted a hangar party in Rockford the evening before the flight, Hawker Beechcraft provided an excellent breakfast buffet the morning of the flight, and GAMI sponsored the big raffle party Sunday in the B2OSH camping area in the General Aviation Camping parking area, known to all as “The North 40”. The makers of the finest products and the providers of the best customer service in all of aviation generously help make this the best participation event in the whole of general aviation. Take a look at the companies who have decided to associate their products with the B2OSH effort:
Our Sponsors
There was a new event, organized by Mike Caban, and located at fellow Baron owner Chris Szarek’s campsite – the First Annual beer@osh – where participants on the Beech-Owners e-mail list had a chance to meet face to face and trade favorite brews. Mike Sasser took the idea to the extreme and brought a keg of Shiner Bock from Texas – and kept it cold for 3 days! beer@osh One was a smashing success.
Camaraderie and fellowship in The North 40 continued every evening through Thursday, when Jim Posner slung up a gigantic dish of Paella for about 30. Paella is a Spanish food akin to rice pilaf, but with several tasty ingredients – among them sausage, prawns, and mussels – cooked in a pan that looks like a huge wok. Jim’s is about three feet in diameter and is heated by a tank of propane. Traditionally, Spanish villagers would bring the catch of the day and other ingredients to a Paella fest – sort of a one-pan pot luck event, but in this case the ingredients were chosen by Master Chef Posner.
Like the American pot luck dinner, a Paella fest is as much a social, community event as it is a meal. And that sums it up. B2OSH XIX was characterized by its community: Skilled pilots training to ensure safety, in order to assemble and enjoy great flying, great food, and most importantly, each other’s great company. The common threads: Passion for flying and for amazing flying machines – Beechcraft Bonanzas.
For the past several years Bonanzas to Oshkosh has been privileged to fly in the AirVenture Showcase of Flight Hour which precedes the professional airshow each day. Each year Showcase time becomes more precious as aircraft manufacturers try to purchase it to show off their designs. This year Air Boss Joe Schumacher worked quite hard to find our guys a time slot, and 8 members of the Texas V-Tails flying team were prepared to perform their 8 minute routine before the crowd of roughly 80,000 – including many discerning pilots. Once again they nailed their times and flew their positions with accuracy.
Their hard work and skillful airmanship was displayed with fine precision as they were led by Wayne “Smudge” Mudge. Smudge is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with huge numbers of hours in just about everything the Air Force has that flies. It was fitting that Smudge led, as his Bonanza is a 1968 Model 36 and this is the 40th anniversary of the “Stretch Debbie”. Smudge’s wingmen included Jim Averett, Mike Parrish, Leldon Locke, and Ray Lewis. Joe Sasser flew Showcase for the first time, and the other wingman was none other than B2OSH founder Wayne Collins. Wayne, at 85 years of age, still has the “chops” to fly with the precision required for Oshkosh!
This year’s Showcase effort held special meaning. If you were counting, only 7 pilots were mentioned. Eighth team member Bill Whitefield’s father passed away unexpectedly in the evening Friday, July 25, so the team had to change their routine slightly to accommodate his absence. They chose to add a tribute to Donald Whitefield, a B-24 navigator in the Mighty 8th flying out of England in World War II. During the team’s signature “T for Texas” formation pass over Airshow Center, Ray Lewis pulled up and out of the formation leaving a hole signifying the absence of both their missing wingman Bill and his Dad. The Missing Man is the greatest aerial tribute performed to honor an airman who has Gone West. Donald Whitefield’s was performed from a unique formation and it was done at Oshkosh, by friends of his son.
Blue Skies, Captain Whitefield.
Flight Leader Max Ringo flew a near-perfect speed and altitude profile, resulting in the best-behaved flight in recent memory – maybe the best, period. Max’s wings in the lead element were skillfully flown by Art Brock and Jim Sanders. The take-off required slightly less than 9 minutes, the cruise legs of the flight were uneventful, and all 93 aircraft safely landed in 15 minutes. The key word in the previous sentence is ‘uneventful’! There were no take-off aborts and spacing on final approach yielded no go-arounds. Going around when the approach doesn’t look right is strongly encouraged (and rewarded), but this year there was simply no need. A telling statistic: This was, by far, the best year for radio discipline. There was a 22 minute period of radio silence!
For those who have not met Max, he is a friend of prominent ABS member Kevin O’Halloran. Max is well-known as the hard-working young man who helps B2OSHer’s push back aircraft, set up tents, walk wings, and generally be as helpful as possible. Max is 19 years old and recently delivered the Valedictory Address for his high school senior class. Multi-engine and IFR rated, he will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall, seeking a degree in Aviation Management. It is not an exaggeration to call Max ‘the future of aviation’.
Upon arrival, the group was treated to a party hosted by none other than the ever-generous Dr. O’Halloran. Endless pizzas, plenty of beer, soda pop and cold water, and of course, Margaritas, were consumed with great enthusiasm. John “Weebs” Wiebener cranked the frozen concoction out with reckless abandon using a chain saw motor- powered blender featuring handlebars and twist-grip throttle. After tents were pitched and sufficient after-pizza time had elapsed, young appetites were recharged. KO threw an Ice Cream Social for the kids. When the B2OSH junior population had their fill, there remained enough ice cream for Kevin & crew to actively solicit passers-by with kids to stop and enjoy the festivities and the cold, creamy treat. Owners of brand “C” and “P” (and the new plastic “Brand C”) can’t help but see us Bonanza owners as the fine folks we are.
Kevin O’Halloran was honored by those he fed and watered in a special way. Al DeMarzo commissioned caricature art, and Cygnet Aerospace and B2OSH split the cost of making “flight shirts”. Over 200 bright red T-shirts with a cartoon drawing of Kevin in his beloved Debonair greeted him as pilots and passengers piled out of their Bonanzas and Barons.
The arrival Margarita Party and Ice Cream Social were but two of several social events that make B2OSH the great experience it has grown to become. L-3 Communications hosted a hangar party in Rockford the evening before the flight, Hawker Beechcraft provided an excellent breakfast buffet the morning of the flight, and GAMI sponsored the big raffle party Sunday in the B2OSH camping area in the General Aviation Camping parking area, known to all as “The North 40”. The makers of the finest products and the providers of the best customer service in all of aviation generously help make this the best participation event in the whole of general aviation. Take a look at the companies who have decided to associate their products with the B2OSH effort:
Our Sponsors
There was a new event, organized by Mike Caban, and located at fellow Baron owner Chris Szarek’s campsite – the First Annual beer@osh – where participants on the Beech-Owners e-mail list had a chance to meet face to face and trade favorite brews. Mike Sasser took the idea to the extreme and brought a keg of Shiner Bock from Texas – and kept it cold for 3 days! beer@osh One was a smashing success.
Camaraderie and fellowship in The North 40 continued every evening through Thursday, when Jim Posner slung up a gigantic dish of Paella for about 30. Paella is a Spanish food akin to rice pilaf, but with several tasty ingredients – among them sausage, prawns, and mussels – cooked in a pan that looks like a huge wok. Jim’s is about three feet in diameter and is heated by a tank of propane. Traditionally, Spanish villagers would bring the catch of the day and other ingredients to a Paella fest – sort of a one-pan pot luck event, but in this case the ingredients were chosen by Master Chef Posner.
Like the American pot luck dinner, a Paella fest is as much a social, community event as it is a meal. And that sums it up. B2OSH XIX was characterized by its community: Skilled pilots training to ensure safety, in order to assemble and enjoy great flying, great food, and most importantly, each other’s great company. The common threads: Passion for flying and for amazing flying machines – Beechcraft Bonanzas.
For the past several years Bonanzas to Oshkosh has been privileged to fly in the AirVenture Showcase of Flight Hour which precedes the professional airshow each day. Each year Showcase time becomes more precious as aircraft manufacturers try to purchase it to show off their designs. This year Air Boss Joe Schumacher worked quite hard to find our guys a time slot, and 8 members of the Texas V-Tails flying team were prepared to perform their 8 minute routine before the crowd of roughly 80,000 – including many discerning pilots. Once again they nailed their times and flew their positions with accuracy.
Their hard work and skillful airmanship was displayed with fine precision as they were led by Wayne “Smudge” Mudge. Smudge is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with huge numbers of hours in just about everything the Air Force has that flies. It was fitting that Smudge led, as his Bonanza is a 1968 Model 36 and this is the 40th anniversary of the “Stretch Debbie”. Smudge’s wingmen included Jim Averett, Mike Parrish, Leldon Locke, and Ray Lewis. Joe Sasser flew Showcase for the first time, and the other wingman was none other than B2OSH founder Wayne Collins. Wayne, at 85 years of age, still has the “chops” to fly with the precision required for Oshkosh!
This year’s Showcase effort held special meaning. If you were counting, only 7 pilots were mentioned. Eighth team member Bill Whitefield’s father passed away unexpectedly in the evening Friday, July 25, so the team had to change their routine slightly to accommodate his absence. They chose to add a tribute to Donald Whitefield, a B-24 navigator in the Mighty 8th flying out of England in World War II. During the team’s signature “T for Texas” formation pass over Airshow Center, Ray Lewis pulled up and out of the formation leaving a hole signifying the absence of both their missing wingman Bill and his Dad. The Missing Man is the greatest aerial tribute performed to honor an airman who has Gone West. Donald Whitefield’s was performed from a unique formation and it was done at Oshkosh, by friends of his son.
Blue Skies, Captain Whitefield.
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