OSH '05 Comments

Morgans wrote:

If money is the issue, I'll bet you could make you own (I saw one that was
home made) or borrow, or rent one off grounds.

anything designed for 'the disabled' is (a) bulky (b) ugly (c) lots
and lots of chrome (d) lousy performances and (e) outrageously
expensive;

There are actually alternatives; e.g., Zapworld sells some
interesting stuff. I have the three wheeled stand-up zap-III
and am very happy with it; I wanted something where I'd stand
rather than sit; for one thing it somehow seem to make it more
'acceptable' on the side walk for some reason, and two, it
actually makes my legs muscle work quite a bit (but without
the pain associated with walking; if money is no object, the
Segway is great (I was surprised at how stable and easy to use
the thing is when I tried one at a demo -- I am surprised
actually that they don't market it more for folks with mobility
impairments, may be because of the stigma associated with
anything that has to do with 'the disabled'?); now, if you
are a little more adventurous (and mobile), I also tried the
Go Motorboard 1500X, but it requires a bit more balance skill
than I can (reliably) master; it looks like many a toy electric
scooter but is very solidly built; not quite as fast as the
Zap-III (somewhat surprisingly if one looks at the specs on paper)
but it folds and fits in a backpack and when using it, can
pass for a non-powered scooter (handy in places where it
wouldn't be allowed :-)

Now of course, one could expect an EAA convention attendee of
being able to build his/her own (see http://tlb.org/eunicycle.html
or http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html for a couple of interesting
examples from a very creative guy!)

--Sylvain

"Sylvain" wrote

Now of course, one could expect an EAA convention attendee of
being able to build his/her own (see http://tlb.org/eunicycle.html
or http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html for a couple of interesting
examples from a very creative guy!)

I think anything not in a sitting position would not be allowed on grounds,
but a sitting 3 wheeler would be. May suck, but that's that.
--
Jim in NC

Hi Sylvain,
The *only* reference to this scooter I found was a post in the usenet
groups from you, in this forum...

Could you please tell me a little more about this scooter ? Was it
impressive, do you think it could be worth buying it (how long was
your trial) ?
Where are you from (did you test in the United States or was it
in Europe ?) ?
As it has nothing to do with aviation, perhaps you can reply me
on my address directly.

Thanks a lot !
Regards,
Sp

Sylvain schreef:
are a little more adventurous (and mobile), I also tried the
Go Motorboard 1500X, but it requires a bit more balance skill
than I can (reliably) master; it looks like many a toy electric
scooter but is very solidly built; not quite as fast as the
Zap-III (somewhat surprisingly if one looks at the specs on paper)
but it folds and fits in a backpack and when using it, can
pass for a non-powered scooter (handy in places where it
wouldn't be allowed :-)

"Morgans" wrote in message
news
I'm not sure I understand. You say you would use a bike as an aid to
getting around, but not a scooter? Why? I hope not vanity.

What? Vanity's not a good enough reason? grin

There's probably a couple of reasons, I guess... Resorting to a scooter
would be admitting that the injuries over the years have won... That would
be the first step in admitting that the adrenaline induced behaviour of my
youth was not necessarily a good idea and I'm not quite ready for that
declaration right now... Frankly, I didn't think that I would live long
enough for the sort of abuse I put my body though to come back to haunt
me... grin

I'm also not all that crazy about something running on batteries so even if
it was a battery powered bicycle / moped, I wouldn't use it... The mechanics
of the act of bicycling does not put the strain on my knees that walking
does and it even has the benefit of being a form of exercise...

"Grumman-581" wrote


What? Vanity's not a good enough reason? grin

Yeah, I hear you! g

There's probably a couple of reasons, I guess... Resorting to a scooter
would be admitting that the injuries over the years have won...

I understand. I'm not there yet, but soon.

That would
be the first step in admitting that the adrenaline induced behaviour of my
youth was not necessarily a good idea and I'm not quite ready for that
declaration right now... Frankly, I didn't think that I would live long
enough for the sort of abuse I put my body though to come back to haunt
me... grin

I didn't do anything to cause my problems, but I have them anyway.

I'm also not all that crazy about something running on batteries so even
if
it was a battery powered bicycle / moped, I wouldn't use it... The
mechanics
of the act of bicycling does not put the strain on my knees that walking
does and it even has the benefit of being a form of exercise...

In order to convince the OSH authorities, you will have to be on the
batteries, but there is noting saying you can't park the scooter, and walk
for part of the day, when the time comes. That is what I probably do.

Good luck with your personal battle, but don't let it win, even if you have
to do the scooter to keep active. Losing is stopping what you do know.
--
Jim in NC

"PPT33R" wrote

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'. I don't
ever remember getting run down by OSP in the past at OSH. There is now
a large 'scooter rental' right inside the gates.

Your rant is off base. First, the rental has has been there the 6 years I
have been. Second, what do you have against overweight people?

Granted, some people
actually NEED these things to get around, but I didn't see any,

You didn't look hard enough.

and I
doubt they would hold an airman's certificate.

The show is not just for certificated people. All who enjoy aviation are
invited.

They were ALL George
Costanza wannabes (recall the Seinfeld episode with the 'great scooter
chase'), and I don't think ANY were paid EAA Members.

Again you are wrong. I myself know of an 80 plus year old EAA'er that
injured himself WATER SKIING, and he didn't appear to be that old, or be in
need of a scooter.

So, EAA won't let
me ride my bicycle from the far end of the North 40 to the Forum
Pavillions,

Nope. Lord of Lord, can you imagine what would happen if just one bike from
each plane on the north 40 was let loose on the grounds? -shudder-

but OSP can run people down in the exhibit hangars and go
wherever the hell they want?

If you have a problem with the actions of "a" scooter rider, then "educate"
that one person, and stop blaming the whole subset of scooter riders.

You can ride your bike or scooter to the gate where the North 40 joins the
grounds, and walk from there, just like "everyone else" on foot.

It makes NO sense to me,

See above.

I am more afraid
of the 300lb'er not looking where they are driving their scooter.

Come now, are you a man or a mouse?

I made a comment to EAA about this, it really bothered me. If you have a
note from your doctor, OK, but just being lazy ****es me off.

I one year soon, will be unable to see what I want to see, without a scooter
(bad back; two surgeries with no improvement), but do not qualify for a
doctor's note. There is a difference to be made about the ability to get
around, and the ability to get all of the way around OSH.

If the
invasion of the OSP continues, it will eventually be enough to dissuade
me from attending in the future...

Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from attending OSH, but if you think
you are so above everyone else that is not allowed to ride bikes, and are so
afraid of a few scooters, ...
don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.
--
Jim in NC

You want to see really sad pain?

Watch "The Boy Whos Skin Fell Off".

Now there is a man who has lived with pain all his life. He made this
documentary during the last 8 months of his life to show people what its
like to live with his condition.

I have some pretty serious back problems, but I just deal with it, and feel
lucky I'm not him.

Dave

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"PPT33R" wrote

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'. I don't
ever remember getting run down by OSP in the past at OSH. There is now
a large 'scooter rental' right inside the gates.

Your rant is off base. First, the rental has has been there the 6 years I
have been. Second, what do you have against overweight people?

Granted, some people
actually NEED these things to get around, but I didn't see any,

You didn't look hard enough.

and I
doubt they would hold an airman's certificate.

The show is not just for certificated people. All who enjoy aviation are
invited.

They were ALL George
Costanza wannabes (recall the Seinfeld episode with the 'great scooter
chase'), and I don't think ANY were paid EAA Members.

Again you are wrong. I myself know of an 80 plus year old EAA'er that
injured himself WATER SKIING, and he didn't appear to be that old, or be
in
need of a scooter.

So, EAA won't let
me ride my bicycle from the far end of the North 40 to the Forum
Pavillions,

Nope. Lord of Lord, can you imagine what would happen if just one bike
from
each plane on the north 40 was let loose on the grounds? -shudder-

but OSP can run people down in the exhibit hangars and go
wherever the hell they want?

If you have a problem with the actions of "a" scooter rider, then
"educate"
that one person, and stop blaming the whole subset of scooter riders.

You can ride your bike or scooter to the gate where the North 40 joins the
grounds, and walk from there, just like "everyone else" on foot.

It makes NO sense to me,

See above.

I am more afraid
of the 300lb'er not looking where they are driving their scooter.

Come now, are you a man or a mouse?

I made a comment to EAA about this, it really bothered me. If you have a
note from your doctor, OK, but just being lazy ****es me off.

I one year soon, will be unable to see what I want to see, without a
scooter
(bad back; two surgeries with no improvement), but do not qualify for a
doctor's note. There is a difference to be made about the ability to get
around, and the ability to get all of the way around OSH.

If the
invasion of the OSP continues, it will eventually be enough to dissuade
me from attending in the future...

Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from attending OSH, but if you think
you are so above everyone else that is not allowed to ride bikes, and are
so
afraid of a few scooters, ...
don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.
--
Jim in NC

It's really strange that most people I talk to that easily could get
handicapped parking and such really want no part of it, myself included. I
do see a ton of obese people that use them and the little electric carts in
WalMart and you just have to wonder if they would walk alittle more maybe
they would not be in that situation. Most people, not all ,mind you are
obese because they do not know when to put the fork down and I do not see
how that is considered a handicap.
I won't get a handicap parking sticker because I figure there is someone
out there that may need that closer spot more than I do, if I hobble along
with a cane from time to time so be it. No big deal, and no pain no gain! I
don't have anything against overweight people but it gets my goat to see one
get a parking spot at the front of a store when a family is trying to get
their child out of a van with MS or something and trying to unload a
wheelchair and the fat person "thinks" they are handicapped and are required
to park close because of laziness.

Patrick
student SPL
aircraft structural mech

"Dave" wrote in message
...
You want to see really sad pain?

Watch "The Boy Whos Skin Fell Off".

Now there is a man who has lived with pain all his life. He made this
documentary during the last 8 months of his life to show people what its
like to live with his condition.

I have some pretty serious back problems, but I just deal with it, and
feel lucky I'm not him.

Dave

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"PPT33R" wrote

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'. I don't
ever remember getting run down by OSP in the past at OSH. There is now
a large 'scooter rental' right inside the gates.

Your rant is off base. First, the rental has has been there the 6 years
I
have been. Second, what do you have against overweight people?

Granted, some people
actually NEED these things to get around, but I didn't see any,

You didn't look hard enough.

and I
doubt they would hold an airman's certificate.

The show is not just for certificated people. All who enjoy aviation are
invited.

They were ALL George
Costanza wannabes (recall the Seinfeld episode with the 'great scooter
chase'), and I don't think ANY were paid EAA Members.

Again you are wrong. I myself know of an 80 plus year old EAA'er that
injured himself WATER SKIING, and he didn't appear to be that old, or be
in
need of a scooter.

So, EAA won't let
me ride my bicycle from the far end of the North 40 to the Forum
Pavillions,

Nope. Lord of Lord, can you imagine what would happen if just one bike
from
each plane on the north 40 was let loose on the grounds? -shudder-

but OSP can run people down in the exhibit hangars and go
wherever the hell they want?

If you have a problem with the actions of "a" scooter rider, then
"educate"
that one person, and stop blaming the whole subset of scooter riders.

You can ride your bike or scooter to the gate where the North 40 joins
the
grounds, and walk from there, just like "everyone else" on foot.

It makes NO sense to me,

See above.

I am more afraid
of the 300lb'er not looking where they are driving their scooter.

Come now, are you a man or a mouse?

I made a comment to EAA about this, it really bothered me. If you have a
note from your doctor, OK, but just being lazy ****es me off.

I one year soon, will be unable to see what I want to see, without a
scooter
(bad back; two surgeries with no improvement), but do not qualify for a
doctor's note. There is a difference to be made about the ability to get
around, and the ability to get all of the way around OSH.

If the
invasion of the OSP continues, it will eventually be enough to dissuade
me from attending in the future...

Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from attending OSH, but if you think
you are so above everyone else that is not allowed to ride bikes, and are
so
afraid of a few scooters, ...
don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.
--
Jim in NC

I saw it. He was a pretty remarkable guy. Very courageous. Very humbleing
to watch.
Jim