B2OSH 2011 Annual Review
Review of Bonanzas to Oshkosh XXII by Larry Gaines
As we get better and better at this, the annual review becomes less of a review and more of a ‘thank you' letter.
After the Mud Bowl of 2010, AKA “Sploshkosh”, it was great to see 110 Bonanzas & Barons lined up on the runway at Rockford. On the runway at RFD is, by unanimous decree, the most exciting time for B2OSH. Which is as it should be. Nobody really wants excitement during the formation flight to Oshkosh.
After the Mud Bowl of 2010, AKA “Sploshkosh”, it was great to see 110 Bonanzas & Barons lined up on the runway at Rockford. On the runway at RFD is, by unanimous decree, the most exciting time for B2OSH. Which is as it should be. Nobody really wants excitement during the formation flight to Oshkosh.
To our knowledge there were no major transportation SNAFUs in Rockford and the hangar party was, again, outstanding. That's because Jessie Siegfried and her husband Bob, again, worked their tails off for us. Food was great, and the party was even better. In other words, nothing new. Thank you, Jessie & Bob!
Fred Scott flew into RFD from his home in Virginia to party with us on the way to Oshkosh. On the road to Charlottesville Airport, he passed a fresh produce stand. He stomped on his brakes and bought 5 lugs of fresh sweet corn. It's nice to fly a King Air! No worries about the weight of 300 ears of corn. In RFD, Fred secured from our awesome hosts, Emery Air, a barbecue and set up shop. It was kind of warm to be standing over a hot grill tending to roasting corn, and the sweat on Fred's brow showed it. Thank you, Fred, for the wonderful treat!
BTW, Mr. Scott also donated a rather impressive prize to the B2OSH effort. Fred has been working with Alpha Systems to improve and promote their Angle of Attack indicator. AoA can save lives. Fred donated, not one, but 2 Alpha devices. One for a lucky B2OSHer (Paul Carroll won) and a 2nd to the winner's flight school. As flight schools equip their trainers with AoA devices, students will learn with much more sensitive and accurate stall awareness. Double thanks to Fred Scott!
Wayne Collins showed up in RFD with his big tip tanks back on 850T. 100 gallons a side. B2OSH MFWIC Larry Gaines asked why. Wayne said he is going to fly around the world again – 3rd time. This time on a promotional tour to benefit the Wings of Hope. Larry immediately claimed dibs on the right seat. A couple days later Wayne asked Larry if he was serious. So, starting from Sun N Fun in late March, Wayne & Larry will circumnavigate the Earth. They will be equipped with a SPOT PLB, and Larry will write a blog for Wings of Hope. We'll provide links to the web sites so everyone can follow along. We'll also solicit donations to the Wings of Hope and provide a link for that, as well. They will be back in time for B2OSH XXIII. Bring duct tape for Larry's mouth.
Hawker Beechcraft bought everyone breakfast in the terminal building at RFD. Like the previous years, the buffet was excellent. Breakfast on the field at RFD on Saturday morning solves a HUGE logistical problem for us. THANK YOU, Beechcraft!
Flight briefing was conducted by Col. Wayne Mudge, USAF, ret. With over 300 people packed into the auditorium it was amazing how well everyone's kids behaved. Thank you parents and thank you kids! Smudge's briefing was entertaining, thorough, and professional. Without going over allotted time. Well done, Wayne!
The formation flight was mostly uneventful. Would anyone want it any other way? We had an abort immediately after takeoff due to a fuel pump issue. Brandon Ellsworth executed a perfect abort and landed on the crossing runway. Brandon's acute situational awareness and calm, affirmative decision-making allowed him to assure the control tower that he would land and hold short of the B2OSH departure runway. We all heard it on tower frequency. It was obvious he turned a potential mess into a non-event. Way to go, Brandon! BTW, Brandon's day job is flying USAF bombers out of Edwards AFB. Our tax dollars pay for pretty good training.
Bob Siegfried II led us to Oshkosh with his proud papa Old Bob on one wing and brother Rick on the other. How many other families own 3 Bonanzas? Cloud bases forced Bob II to descend earlier than briefed. Communication of the change was perfect and the unanticipated cloud layer became a non-issue. Flight leadership was impeccable, despite OSH tower needing hearing aids. When the Flight Leader has proficient wingmen, it's far less difficult to lead. Kudos to the entire Siegfried clan!
We were parked between the 2 shower buildings. Perfect! Kevin O'Halloran was there to greet us with endless Margaritas and pizza. We could never overstate the appreciation we have for Kevin and everything he does for B2OSH.
LaSure's catered our big party for the first time. First-rate food and service.
We moved beer@osh to Tuesday to accommodate a change in the ABS Indoor BBQ date, and it turned out to be a plus.
BC Air donated a completed model Bonanza made from beer cans. Greg Blanck won. Wayne Mathis, owner of BC Air, completed Greg's model a couple weeks later. It was BC Air's prototype A36. BC Air sells plans only. Wayne goes above & beyond by donating a completed model – if you want one of these beauties, you have to build it yourself. Brats & beer were, again, outstanding. Thank you, Mike Caban, Al DeMarzo, & Paul Safran (I'm sure I missed somebody).
Flight briefing was conducted by Col. Wayne Mudge, USAF, ret. With over 300 people packed into the auditorium it was amazing how well everyone's kids behaved. Thank you parents and thank you kids! Smudge's briefing was entertaining, thorough, and professional. Without going over allotted time. Well done, Wayne!
The formation flight was mostly uneventful. Would anyone want it any other way? We had an abort immediately after takeoff due to a fuel pump issue. Brandon Ellsworth executed a perfect abort and landed on the crossing runway. Brandon's acute situational awareness and calm, affirmative decision-making allowed him to assure the control tower that he would land and hold short of the B2OSH departure runway. We all heard it on tower frequency. It was obvious he turned a potential mess into a non-event. Way to go, Brandon! BTW, Brandon's day job is flying USAF bombers out of Edwards AFB. Our tax dollars pay for pretty good training.
Bob Siegfried II led us to Oshkosh with his proud papa Old Bob on one wing and brother Rick on the other. How many other families own 3 Bonanzas? Cloud bases forced Bob II to descend earlier than briefed. Communication of the change was perfect and the unanticipated cloud layer became a non-issue. Flight leadership was impeccable, despite OSH tower needing hearing aids. When the Flight Leader has proficient wingmen, it's far less difficult to lead. Kudos to the entire Siegfried clan!
We were parked between the 2 shower buildings. Perfect! Kevin O'Halloran was there to greet us with endless Margaritas and pizza. We could never overstate the appreciation we have for Kevin and everything he does for B2OSH.
LaSure's catered our big party for the first time. First-rate food and service.
We moved beer@osh to Tuesday to accommodate a change in the ABS Indoor BBQ date, and it turned out to be a plus.
BC Air donated a completed model Bonanza made from beer cans. Greg Blanck won. Wayne Mathis, owner of BC Air, completed Greg's model a couple weeks later. It was BC Air's prototype A36. BC Air sells plans only. Wayne goes above & beyond by donating a completed model – if you want one of these beauties, you have to build it yourself. Brats & beer were, again, outstanding. Thank you, Mike Caban, Al DeMarzo, & Paul Safran (I'm sure I missed somebody).
Best saved for last. Kids had a GREAT time again. It's no exaggeration to say B2OSH has become a true family event. Bring your kids! Speaking of kids, among us in 2011 was a pregnant lady. Craig Wilcox' daughter Shana Nussbaum flew her Daddy's N35 in “Chick Flight”, Element 2. Yep. We had an element with all female pilots. Led by Mary Jane Butt with Shana and Vera Martinovich on the wings. Talk about family, check these facts out: Vera married another B2OSH pilot, Kari Seppanen, in our campground in 2007. MJ is married to B2OSH pilot, Bob “Magic Hands”, and Shana was carrying a baby during the flight, in addition to having her Dad in the right seat. November 28, Shana delivered a healthy boy, Calvin Nussbaum, into this world. Shana is seriously considering bringing Calvin to Oshkosh this July.
Join our family. Sign up for B2OSH and bring your kids!
Bonanzas to Oshkosh ▪ 1122 Cameron Way, Stockton, CA 95207 ▪ Phone: (209) 481-9325
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