Download - Midwest Flyer Magazine

Dave WeimanPiper Aircraft celebrated its 75th Anniversary of the company and itsPiper Cub at AirVenture 2012. More than 100 Piper Cubs flew in andparked along the flightline at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.,turning the airport into a “field of yellow.”Saturday night air show fireworks.Geoff Sobering"We're improving the familyexperience across the spectrum," saidHightower, making special note of theteen offerings with three after-hoursspecial events scheduled, as well as theFord Fly-In Theater's Disney nighton Thursday with the viewing of themovie “The Rocketeer.” Returning forthe second year in a row was filmmakerGeorge Lucas, who introduced theshowing of his film “Red Tails” onWednesday.There was a concert on Mondayby the legendary Steve Miller Bandfollowing the air show. Little Texasperformed on Wednesday, and PhilVassar performed on Friday.During the day, young childrencould build model rockets and balsaplanes or fly in a high-tech flightsimulator at “KidVenture,” and enjoy“KidVenture Gallery” inside theAirVenture Museum.Big aviation attractions this yearincluded the 75th anniversary of thePiper J-3 Cub, and the 40th anniversaryof Van’s Aircraft. More than 100 PiperCubs flew in, and an equal number ofRVs.The air show was highlightedby the debut of “Team RV” – theworld’s largest air show team – andthe donation of RV-1 to the EAAMuseum by Dick “Van” VanGrunsven.Piper, Cessna, Cirrus and dozensof other manufacturers had specialannouncements about new andimproved aircraft and products, andspecial fly-in deals. Everyone was out tomake sales!AirVenture saluted the greatestgeneration in the air featuring aerialdisplays and themed programs,including notable Doolittle Raiders andTuskegee Airmen appearances. Therewas a “Tora! Tora! Tora!” re-enactmentof the attack on Pearl Harbor duringthe “Warbirds Extravaganza” atFriday and Saturday air shows. Also,the world’s only airworthy B-29Superfortress – “FIFI” – returned for asecond consecutive year.“Super Saturday,” July 28, washighlighted by the widely popular“Rockwell Collins Night Air Show,”featuring the Canadian SkyhawksSkydiving Team; Aeroshell Team flyingfour T-6 Texans; Iron Eagles AerobaticTeam; solo performances by Bill Leffin his T-6 Texan, Bob Carlton in hisjet-powered sailplane, Gene Soucyin “Showcat,” Elgin Wells’ “StarJammer,” and Dragon’s Fyre Jet Truckand Jet Funny Car; and the “Wall ofFire” pyrotechnics display, followedby spectacular fireworks. The crowdwas huge and appreciative of the greatentertainment.Also on Saturday were two concertsfeaturing Da BLOOZE Bros “BluesBrothers” tribute band, presented byFord Motor Company, and the BoogieKnights 1970s tribute band, presentedby Southwest Airlines.One of the more peaceful settingsduring AirVenture is the seaplane baseon Lake Winnebago. You can spendseveral hours or a day just watchingthe floatplanes come and go. It isentertaining, the evening meals aregood, the special events and socialgatherings are fun, and the atmosphereis relaxing. Once you have been at theseaplane base, you will be back.OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 21