Sun-n-Fun

How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John

On Feb 22, 12:20 pm, wrote:
How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John

John,

It's not bad at all. I did it a few months after I got my PPL in
2004. Just read the NOTAM and get the big picture memorized and get
comfortable with what landmarks they're talking about from the
sectional and Google Earth. My opinion is that the people that have
trouble are the just barely current types that look at the NOTAM for
the first time the same morning they leave. Have fun, it's a really
cool one to fly into.

One other tip... At the end of the day on the last day, it is crazy.
I recommend chilling out on the grass and watching the madness from
the ground. After about 1.5 hrs it is much more mellow, and you can
depart at your own leisure/comfort. Besides, the crazy departures
really are something to see. Very entertaining.

Sam

On Feb 22, 2:20 pm, wrote:
How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John

SNF is neither better nor worse than the Big O.... At 80 hours you
should/must take another pilot along for the extra eyes - the non
flying pilot can help you sort it out if you get rattled... It is not
tough just busy... But you need to be able to fly an unusual pattern,
follow rapid fire instructions, and put the plane down on the part of
the runway/taxiway they call out (this is the biggest problem they
have with rattled pilots)...

Being as close as you are you have the luxury of controlling when you
arrive there and picking the slow time... I would say to do it - it of
one of those experiences that only a tiny percentage of people get to
do... Drive over there a week before show time and talk with the
volunteers... They will be a wealth of knowledge to help you through
that first time by air...

denny

In article . com,
wrote:

How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

As with Oshkosh, it depends on the day and time of day you plan to
arrive.
If you want to arrive mid-day on the first couple of day of the event,
traffic will be heavy.
If you choose to arrive in the middle of the week when the airport opens
to arrivals, traffic will be light.
The best advice is to make your first trip with an experienced pilot in
the right seat to learn what it is like and talk you through what to
expect and how to respond to a situation.

As others have said, take another set of eyes with you.

Also, plan on arriving right as the field opens in the morning. There are
usuallyvery few arrivals at that time.

Read the NOTAM.

Don't talk on the radio. Only listen and follow instructions.

KB

wrote in message
ups.com...
How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John

"Kyle Boatright" wrote in message
. ..
As others have said, take another set of eyes with you.

Also, plan on arriving right as the field opens in the morning. There are
usuallyvery few arrivals at that time.

Read the NOTAM.

Don't talk on the radio. Only listen and follow instructions.

KB

wrote in message
ups.com...
How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John




I am curious about something. Do you have to have a radio to fly into Sun
and Fun?

I understand there is an audio file on how NOT to fly into Oshkosh. Does
anyone know a link to it?

Danny Deger

How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.

I flew into SNF in '03 and '04, and we're planning on doing it again
this year. It's not bad, but it CAN be busy. Your job is to be
ready.

With 80 hours, you don't know what you don't know, so be overly
cautious. Here are a few rules of thumb:

1. Practice slow flight. You will have to stay behind traffic that is
probably closer than you've ever seen before, so get comfortable
flying slowly.

2. Practice holding a speed. I believe the NOTAM is available on-line
now. Find out the speed you're supposed to be at, and practice
holding it.

3. Practice landing on a spot. The controllers will expect you to be
able to hit a target.

4. Practice steep turns. They keep you in VERY tight in the pattern
at SNF.

5. READ THE NOTAM. Way too many people come to these big shows
without the slightest clue -- don't be one of them.

6. Have a second set of eyes on board, to help you spot traffic. It
helps if they're a pilot, but even an experienced passenger can help.

BTW: Don't be afraid of Oshkosh. It's bone-simple to fly into, just
busy. Last year, with the runway accident gumming up the works, was
an exceptionally bad year -- don't judge the show by that.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Denny" wrote in message
oups.com...
Being as close as you are you have the luxury of controlling when you
arrive there and picking the slow time...

Oshkosh this year will have pre-assigned arrival windows, passwords, and no
NORDO. I wouldn't be surprised if S&F is the same. It really isn't too early
to read the NOTAMs.

In a previous article, "Danny Deger" said:
I understand there is an audio file on how NOT to fly into Oshkosh. Does
anyone know a link to it?

http://oshawapilot.ca/audio/oshkosh.mp3


--
Paul Tomblin http://blog.xcski.com/
My group's mission statement - 'You want *what* ? By *WHEN* ?'
-- Simon Burr

On Feb 22, 2:20 pm, wrote:
How complicated is it to fly into Sun-n-Fun? I read the stories of
Oskosh and, as an 80 hour private pilot, I wouldn't touch that by air.
I fly out of Orlando executive, so Lakeland is only ~49 miles and I
think it would be cool to motor down for one day (maybe bring one or
both of my boys along).

Any thoughts?

John

Thanks to all for the advice. My AOPA mentor (who happens to be local)
has been to Sun-n-Fun a number of times. He is currently between
airplanes, so, based on the advice here, I invited him to come along.
We will see how it works out.

John