My "First" Oshkosh

I have been to the EAA Fly-in at Oshkosh in 2001, 2004, 2005, and now
in 2006. This was the first year that I attended that I wasn't
working in a vendor booth in one of the hangers. I finally had the
time and opportunity to walk around and look at everything (well, as
well as anyone can). I was able to catch a number of forums and
talks... listened to Bud Anderson, Chuck Yeager, Burt Rutan, Mike
Melville and Suzanne Darcy-Henneman (777 test pilot who remembered me
when I talked to her after her talk). I bought a ride in a Bell 47
helicopter to fly over the grounds. I was able to see a lot of
interesting airplanes on the ground and in the air. I liked the fly-in
theater as an alternative to the theater in the woods on a couple
nights when the programs in the woods were not very compelling.

Despite being embarassed by all the people clamoring around Harrison
Ford before and after his introduction of Air Force One at the theater,
I was pleased to later see him walking in Hangar A without anyone
bothering him. It may of helped that he was in casual dress wearing
sunglasses and a hat, but I'd like to believe that those that did
recognize him were polite enough to leave him alone so that he could
experience the show.

So, in summary it was nice to experience Oshkosh from a vacationing
pilot's perspective for the first time. Next year I plan on coming
back with a booth in a hangar with a new product, so it will be back to
the grind, but at least I won't feel like I am missing out so much now!

Dean

I was in the chow line at the Hilton with Harrison Ford and it was nice
to see (most) people leave him alone. He looked like he'd like to have
breakfast in peace and he pretty much was able to. Bob Hoover, on the
other hand, is either outgoing enough to not mind all the groupies he
attracts or is possibly a better actor than Ford! I hope to talk to him
someday. I just don't want to interrupt his breakfast to do it.

Tom McQuinn


wrote:


Despite being embarassed by all the people clamoring around Harrison
Ford before and after his introduction of Air Force One at the theater,
I was pleased to later see him walking in Hangar A without anyone
bothering him. It may of helped that he was in casual dress wearing
sunglasses and a hat, but I'd like to believe that those that did
recognize him were polite enough to leave him alone so that he could
experience the show.