"PPT33R" wrote in message
oups.com...

Another great OSH. The number and quality of the exhibits seems to
improve each year.

Speaking as a former exhibitor who cannot afford the rent to be an exhibitor
any more, did you notice how many of the exhibits were government agencies
pimping their state, or their college, or their missile defense services?
Did you notice how many of the exhibits had absolutely nothing to do with
aviation, yet could afford the rent to hawk you everything from superglue to
wood stoves? How many truly innovative newcomers did you find -- that
little jewel company that invented a new widget to save you tons of money
building or flying an aircraft? The last one I know of is Bill Bainbridge
at his little electric shop, and he's been around for thirty years.

As to the number of people, I do a pretty fair job of assessing attendance
by looking at the parking lots, both on the airport and at the UWO dorms.
If EAA comes out with a "record crowd" pronouncement (which they have to do
by Rogan's Law -- "grow or die") then somebody is puffing funny weed.

The one thing that really ****ed me off this year (and I will proceed
to rant about) was the invasion of the 'obese scooter people'.

So long as EAA can make a buck at it, there will be an order of magnitude
growth in OSPs for the next couple of years.

Now, I've read this whole thread about who should and who should not be
allowed a scooter, and all I can say at this time is that I thought ham
radio had the market cornered with people sitting around ****ing and moaning
about their gall bladder operations, their hip replacements, and their
various and sundry ailments. I guess a few of them have escaped to the
world of aviation {;-)


More ... MUCH more ... later. It is good to be home.


Jim